Brand new e-bike fleet to tackle crime in the West Midlands
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner has unveiled a brand-new fleet of e-bikes to put more officers back in the heart of communities
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner Simon Foster has unveiled a brand-new fleet of 32 e-bikes, as part of a £59,200 investment to put more officers back in the heart of local communities.
The roll-out follows a highly successful pilot in Birmingham, which proved that e-bikes enable officers to cover more ground than foot patrols, while remaining more accessible and visible than those in police cars.
The e-bikes, which cost £1,600 each and reach the legal 15.5mph speed limit with electric assistance, are now fully operational in high streets and neighbourhoods across the entire West Midlands region.
West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster, said: “I am committed to rebuilding community policing, because I know that an accessible, reassuring and visible police presence is exactly what our communities want and need.
“These new e-bikes are a smart, effective investment that will ensure our officers are more accessible and visible, and better equipped to prevent and tackle crime.
“By getting officers out of cars and onto our streets, we are building the trust and confidence that is essential to keeping people, families, businesses and communities safe and secure.”