Post by Origanalist on Jun 22, 2014 1:51:27 GMT -8
The LAPD Just Got a Military-Grade Electric Bike for Stealth Missions
BY ALEXANDER GEORGE 06.19.14 | 6:30 AM
For an officer of the law, motorcycles have distinct advantages over the patrol car. They accelerate faster than anything with four wheels and can slip through traffic. They’re fuel efficient. But they’re also loud, and that can be problematic when sneaking up on perps.
If you’re a motorcycle cop with the L.A.P.D., time to celebrate. As a pilot project, the force has bought a Zero MMX electric motorcycle, that offers those advantages with the addition of stealth.
“Most importantly, our officers have an added tactical advantage while on patrol,” says Officer Steve Carbajal of the L.A.P.D. Off-Road Unit. For now, Zero says that the LAPD “purchased one MMX as a pilot program,” for use on and off-road. If it goes well, they will order more.
Los Angeles taxpayers can be glad that the bikes can be charged for less than $.50 and maintenance is largely limited to the occasional tire inflation. Oh, and with no emissions, they can go indoors to chase a suspect through a hallway.
Zero has been supplying police departments around the country with motorcycles since 2011, starting in Northern California. These bikes are like their civilian counterparts, but outfitted with lights, sirens, medical gear, and hard storage containers.
continued at...http://www.wired.com/2014/06/lapd-zero-electric-motorcycles/
BY ALEXANDER GEORGE 06.19.14 | 6:30 AM
For an officer of the law, motorcycles have distinct advantages over the patrol car. They accelerate faster than anything with four wheels and can slip through traffic. They’re fuel efficient. But they’re also loud, and that can be problematic when sneaking up on perps.
If you’re a motorcycle cop with the L.A.P.D., time to celebrate. As a pilot project, the force has bought a Zero MMX electric motorcycle, that offers those advantages with the addition of stealth.
“Most importantly, our officers have an added tactical advantage while on patrol,” says Officer Steve Carbajal of the L.A.P.D. Off-Road Unit. For now, Zero says that the LAPD “purchased one MMX as a pilot program,” for use on and off-road. If it goes well, they will order more.
Los Angeles taxpayers can be glad that the bikes can be charged for less than $.50 and maintenance is largely limited to the occasional tire inflation. Oh, and with no emissions, they can go indoors to chase a suspect through a hallway.
Zero has been supplying police departments around the country with motorcycles since 2011, starting in Northern California. These bikes are like their civilian counterparts, but outfitted with lights, sirens, medical gear, and hard storage containers.
continued at...http://www.wired.com/2014/06/lapd-zero-electric-motorcycles/