Punjab Police start pilot project to adopt electric bicycles

Ludhiana: With a goal to contribute towards reduced-air pollution and maximise environmental savings as well as to enhance its motor pool to suit urban pedestrian environment, the Punjab Police have started a pilot project to adopt electric bicycles for its patrolmen and roped in bike maker, Hero Cycles, for the purpose.

Police officials being apprised of the working of e-bicycles in Ludhiana on Wednesday. Photo: Inderjeet verma

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, December 19

With a goal to contribute towards reduced-air pollution and maximise environmental savings as well as to enhance its motor pool to suit urban pedestrian environment, the Punjab Police have started a pilot project to adopt electric bicycles for its patrolmen and roped in bike maker, Hero Cycles, for the purpose.

E-bikes are a significant improvement over conventional bicycles and are able to cover upto 25-30 kilometers without pedaling and reach sustained speeds of up to 25 km/hr. The distance coverage can be increased further if pedals are used.

They act as a carbon-footprint-free supplement to conventional police motorcycles and jeeps in helping personnel reach emergency spots faster, weave through traffic nimbly, overtake offenders who are on foot and even carry the bicycle around when traveling upon many different modes of transport.

“It makes perfect sense for a public agency as important and responsible for our safety as the Punjab Police to use electric vehicles for patrol duty in certain situations. E-bikes can help keep our streets safe by improving police presence at trouble spots. For Hero Cycles, it gives us a chance to demonstrate the effectiveness of our Lectro e-bikes in different usage environments. Compared to other patrol methods, this Lectro e-Bike has the potential to save taxpayer money over time as well as remain friendlier to the environment”, said Abhishek Munjal, Director Hero Cycles.

“It’s important for us that we not only remain agile but also spread the message of safe cycling. This step is in line with our commitment to engage with the community we are a part of. As a responsible public authority Punjab Police will take all steps to meet green objectives. Besides, we increase our patrolling effectiveness and utilize our resources efficiently by incurring the least cost possible for mobility in action.”, said Dr. Sukhchain Singh Gill, Commissioner of Police. Police forces around the world, especially in Europe and the USA, have successfully adopted e-bikes for use in their patrol strategies. Officers were able to approach suspects faster and were less exhausted upon reaching the victims.

Electric bicycles allow the rider to travel faster than a conventional bicycle, he added.