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Mission RCMP patrol with powered pedals

Two new e-bikes purchased by local police detachment
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Mission RCMP now have a pair of e-bikes as part of its fleet. / Kevin Mills Photo

Mission RCMP are using pedal power to help patrol areas, that may be difficult to reach by car, and to engage with the community.

New Officer In Charge Insp. Ted Lewko explained the RCMP has always had bike and foot patrols, especially in the summer, but this year they are getting some extra assistance.

Two new e-bikes (electric bikes) have been purchased to help officers patrol more effectively.

“E-bikes provide the members greater operational efficiency while riding,” said Lewko. “They are still on a bike, which is a great police presence, not just for enforcement but even to go through the community and say hi to people and that type of community engagement.”

The bikes also allow officrs to get from place to place quicker and they don’t get as tired.

The effectiveness of bike patrols depends on the particular situation.

“The value of being on a bike is you can get into places that a vehicle can’t. So if there’s something up a trail in the middle of nowhere in a rural area, eventually you are going to have to park the car, get out and walk on foot. They can take the bikes – which are mounted on the vehicles, and get there faster.”

Lewko also said bike patrols are more efficient with the community engagement aspect of police work.

“Driving down the street in a car makes it hard to interact with the community. With a bike, they can ride down the street, they can stop and say hi, they can engage with people more, It’s a positive aspect.”

Not every officer can be part of the bike patrol.

“We have bike trained officers. You have to have the training before you can use the bikes. Right now we have more than half a dozen members who are trained.

While the two new e-bikes are now in full use, the Mission RCMP also uses the regular bikes, depending on the situation.



Kevin Mills

About the Author: Kevin Mills

I have been a member of the media for the past 34 years and became editor of the Mission Record in February of 2015.
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