The Lebanon City Police Department’s bike unit is getting a foothold, and is now up and running again.
That’s the message city police Chief Bret Fisher shared with LebTown during a brief ceremony on Monday, May 13, to commemorate a donation by Bennett Williams Real Estate and Lebanon Federal Credit Union of a new professional-grade e-bike to the city police force.
The e-bike, manufactured by Recon Power Bikes, will be operated by Officer Travis Pidcock, who earlier this year had received a Life Saving Award for his quick attending to a gunshot victim in November 2023, when he was able to stop the victim’s bleeding until EMS arrived.
“The bike unit and the new e-bike will give us a great opportunity to do some more effective police work,” said Fisher. “Some more effective community outreach.”
Lebanon police previously operated a bike unit with traditional pedal bikes, but that program went to the wayside as the city department and many others across the state saw their numbers dip over the last few yers.
Fisher said he was thankful for the donation from the two companies, which each donated half the cost of the $5,000 Class 2 e-bike, a Recon Interceptor.
Fort Worth-based Recon is the country’s largest supplier of e-bikes to law enforcement agencies. The bike has a range of about 60 miles.
Pidcock said the unit will assist with community outreach, on the Lebanon Valley Rail Trail and throughout the city.
“We plan to assist on the rails-to-trails with increasing community outreach being visible there,” he said. “We try to encourage more people to come in and ride the rail trail.”
Pidcock said a great thing about bikes is they allow members of the public to approach officers more easily than they could compared to a police cruiser.
“A bike is something that (kids) ride so it’s something they can look at and say, ‘Hey, I can do that, too,'” he said.
The e-bike will also allow officers to respond to nearby calls more efficiently and quickly, saving fuel over a cruiser and preventing fatigue compared to a foot patrol.
This is the first time a county police agency has deployed an e-bike patrol.
Lebanon Mayor Sherry Capello said the e-bike will increase engagement between the police force and city residents.
“You don’t have a police car between you,” said Capello. “You’re right out there with them in the open air.”
In addition to being used in parades, First Friday, and other public events – serving in some ways as a public relations tool – the e-bike patrol will also help officers to get out and mix with the community.
“You’re more approachable on a bike,” said Fisher.
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