University Police debuts electric motorcycles

Jill Shockey / Penn State Public Information University Police officers have begun using two electric motorcycles for patrols on and near University Park. For more photos, click on the image above.

University Park, Pa. — The air was electric Tuesday morning (Sept. 16) as University Police unveiled two new motorcycles from its first ever motorcycle patrol.
 
However, these were not ordinary motorcycles. The two new bikes that will be roaming around the University Park campus are electrically powered and offer many new opportunities for Police.
 
“I have been looking at motorcycles for a few years now and I’ve learned that there are many benefits to having electric ones,” University Police Director Steve Shelow said. “They are perfect for operating in narrow areas like sidewalks, they are extremely quiet, and they are virtually maintenance free.”
 
The new additions to the Police fleet have some environmental benefits as well. They require no gasoline and they operate on a nickel metal hydride rechargeable battery, which is 100 percent recyclable. Lacking the tanks, chains and belts of a gasoline-powered bike, the new models require no oil changes and can be plugged into a conventional outlet to recharge.
 
The electric motorcycles last for eight to 10 hours and benefit Police most when patrolling lots, especially during football game days. In the past, officers only patrolled the lots on foot or by bicycle.

In some situations, the motorcycles can be used instead of a police cruiser, saving the department gas and bettering the environment.
 
“We are one of the first university police departments in the nation to begin an electric-powered motorcycle program, and we are the first department in the state to do it,” Shelow said. “Our new motorcycle patrol is a great opportunity for us in many ways. I think our two new bikes will be a great addition to our department and I look forward to seeing them in use to serve the Penn State community.”