LAPD Experiments With Electric Bicycles to Keep Up With Critical Mass
Thread started by
TAR at 05.12.11 - 9:07 am
Laughing my ass off bike news story of the day from LA Times:
LAPDebike The Los Angeles Police Department received two new electric bicycles Wednesday. The bicycles are part of a field test the Police Department is conducting.
Electric bicycles are being tested for patrolling special events, including parades and the monthly bicycle ride Critical Mass, "where the public is riding road bikes that are faster," said Sgt. Matthew Bygum, the officer in charge of the LAPD bicycle coordination unit. "When the police officers ride mountain bikes, we can't stay up with them over the duration of the ride. That's the direction we're headed with these: high speed, long duration."
The two bikes the LAPD received Wednesday complement two others the department has been testing as part of a pilot program for the last year. The iZip Express models donated by Currie Technologies, an electric bicycle manufactuer in Chatsworth, can travel 31 miles per charge and move as quickly as 20 mph.
The LAPD has 450 regular bicycles in its fleet, all of which are mountain bikes. Electric bicycles will not replace the mountain bikes, Bygum said.
"I wouldn't want all LAPD officers riding them because part of being an officer is being physically fit, so it takes away some of the physical conditioning required," Bygum said. "Electric bikes just give us another capability."
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I'd rather see that then motorcycles.... But yeah....
Roadblock05.12.11 - 9:20 am
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" 31 miles per charge?" We need to extend LACM to 40 miles. This is a total joke. They need to look at the physical aptitude of their bike officers.
sancho105.12.11 - 9:36 am
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Just another shopping spree at the taxpayers' expense, ridiculous!
ericduville05.12.11 - 11:00 am
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so get road bikes....
nug05.12.11 - 11:53 am
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from the first post:
"The iZip Express models donated by Currie Technologies, an electric bicycle manufactuer in Chatsworth"
barleye responding to a
comment by ericduville
05.12.11 - 11:59 am
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Wah!!!! I CAN'T KEEP UP ON MY MOUNTAIN BIKE!!!
Ride it a little more outside of work each day and you'll gradually smoke the skinny-jean wearing, bar-twisting, 700c rollin' buggers!!
bentstrider05.12.11 - 12:26 pm
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Ok this is kind of funny. Can't keep up with LACM WOW, I guess wolfpack is right out of the question :)
Well I was on the first LAPD LACM ride and from what I observed was the cops did not know how to use their bikes properly. They were in the wrong gear most of the time, so before spending more of my property tax, please hit me up LAPD and I'll be more than happy to give a free bike clinic and safe the city thousands. With that said I do applaud the LAPD for at least wanting to work with LACM and not shutting it down completely.
ToddAlmighty05.12.11 - 1:20 pm
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If they could, the WOULD shut it down...
they need to either
a. learn to use their bikes
or
b. get road bikes.
Can't keep up with critical mass? Dont they fucking lead it now?
godmode responding to a
comment by ToddAlmighty
05.12.11 - 2:55 pm
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hah sounds like this has gotten even faster now.
Just as well. Hail Alt to Crit Mass!
gado_gado responding to a
comment by godmode
05.12.11 - 3:06 pm
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29ers with street tires
Electric bikes are to heavy
Dedicated81805.12.11 - 3:27 pm
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Aren't they wearing bullet proof vest and a belt that's at least another 10 pounds? That'd get heavy after awhile... Did I just take up for the LAPD? Also, yes better electric bikes than a motorcycle running you over.
et05.12.11 - 3:36 pm
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HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
LAPD bike division just dun goofed...
Such a joke.
I personally have pulled trash trailers while wearing a backpack, music trailers, water bikes......
Less donuts, more miles.
TheDude05.12.11 - 3:53 pm
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The answer to making our rides OUR rides again is to go faster??
HAHAHAHA
-12 respect points towards LAPD bike division.
TheDude05.12.11 - 3:55 pm
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The total weight of the nylon-rig + weapon/equipment doesn't really exceed 12lbs around the waist.
Ballistics vests have also gotten considerably lighter as well, but that doesn't take out the ackward feeling of moving around with one on.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by et
05.12.11 - 6:24 pm
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A handful of those bikes may be a donation, when they put In an order however, you know they won't be free, that's what I meant.
ericduville responding to a
comment by barleye
05.12.11 - 7:53 pm
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The whole thing is funny, if they just got out of our way we'd be on our way and out of their way.
I don't think I've seen a cop eat a doughnut in a long time, I think they like Starbucks now.
I've worked on those Curry bikes, good luck fixing a flat, you have to take the whole rear end apart. And they weigh a ton.
rev106 responding to a
comment by ericduville
05.12.11 - 10:49 pm
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The first thing that this write up brings to my mind is Rich2ie riding Wolfpack on a Mountain Bike. Then I think Richie riding Kobuki (sic) Sky. Not only you got a guy who could ride a at the back to the front of a CM ride on a mountain bike, you also have guy who can do aerial surveillance on a bicycle.
Don't do it Richie, even if they promise you promotion to photographer in the future. I don't think they will let you sport the Amazing Larry head dress on duty.
sexy05.13.11 - 1:13 am
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exactly. but i guess that's too much too ask of these non-physically fit officers.
photo-on-wheels responding to a
comment by nug
05.17.11 - 12:18 am
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I work for the company that makes these and built the two police bikes personally
here's a pic http://www.flickr.com/photos/olslash/5705094322/in/photostream
yeah, they're fun as hell to ride. and better than a moto or squad car following the ride, i'd say
mitch05.17.11 - 9:29 am
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Include some carrying the bikes up some stairs on the next ride.
marino05.17.11 - 2:44 pm
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Wait wasn't their a tricyclist who used to keep up with LACM? Maybe the police should talk to him....
Iambikeman05.18.11 - 12:00 pm
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HAHAHA good one. people don't excercise enough of this kind of subversive thought on these rides.
Roadblock responding to a
comment by marino
05.18.11 - 5:40 pm
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The bikes were donated as test bikes for use during Cycling events. Tax payers have not paid a cent for them as of yet. I will be picking them up this week for use during Critical Mass. You have questions, come find me...you know I will be there...
lacycle2405.19.11 - 3:13 pm
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25 lb battery. Plus whatever they carry in the case on a hefty MTN bike. I say maybe 80lbs
gado_gado responding to a
comment by buckchin
05.19.11 - 3:26 pm
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are the larger than standard road bike tires, and schocks, needed because of the extera weight puts more pressure on the tires when it hits a crack?
does it have something to do with turning?
Do they want non-asphault capabilities?
nolikedrive responding to a
comment by gado_gado
05.19.11 - 10:57 pm
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Izip is designed for 26 inch wheels on hybrid or mountain bike style bikes. The bikes are pretty normal bikes it's just all the weight from the battery and the crap that the cops carry that make it heavy, and yes they have fat tires because it takes a lot to hold up a pig. (shit -was that out loud?)
gado_gado responding to a
comment by nolikedrive
05.19.11 - 11:30 pm
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e-bikes made me lazy. I might be ready for one when I reach 80. So what are some of the specs on these bikes? What's the info on the battery pack? How many amp hours are the batteries? What's the wattage of the battery and motor? Come on, let's see something that would make me go, oooooooohhhhh me likey a little. Oh and when you find the info on what I asked above, I'm hoping you can dazzle me with info on the controller.
DArK ENERgY responding to a
comment by gado_gado
05.20.11 - 9:54 pm
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Izip Express
KEY FEATURES
Real Transportation at Speeds up to 20+ mph / 32+ km (Rider Weight, Rider Input and Terrain Contingent) in Turbo Mode
Plush, Easy Riding Comfort Bike Design with Modern Electric Hybrid Performance
36v18Ah Lithium-ion Battery Pack with Advanced Battery Management System for High Performance and Extended Range
Designed to Effortlessly Climb Hills and Cover Long Distances
Battery and Charger Included
MOTOR
750W of Power from a Hi-Torque DC Neodymium Magnet Motor
BATTERY
Lithium-ion Cells In Power Pack w/Advanced Power Management 36V / 18Ah Pack Rechargeable Cells, UL + CE Safety Tested
CHARGE SYSTEM
UL Listed Li-ion Smart Charger with LED Status Display
CONTROLLER
Exclusive Currie Evo-Drive(TM), 36 Volt with Power Gauge Function and Variable Power Boost
TOP SPEED
20+ mph / 32+ km/h (Rider Weight, Rider Input and Terrain Contingent) in Turbo Mode
RANGE
Turbo Mode: 31 miles / 50 km, Standard: 45+ miles / 72+ km, Economy: 50+ miles / 80+ km (Rider Weight, Rider Input and Terrain Contingent)
DRIVE
Exclusive Evo-Drive(TM) Proprietary Planetary Differential Combined w/SRAM RD-X.7, SL-X.7, Pow
gado_gado responding to a
comment by DArK ENERgY
05.20.11 - 10:32 pm
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The other thing is. You only use the motor when you need. You can assist with pedaling at the same time the motor is running. So if you only use the motor when yo get to big inclines, then you can go for many many miles before the battery needs a recharge, or ride home with a dead battery, it still works.
I would only recommended getting these bikes if you haul a lot of shit and have a long commute.
gado_gado05.20.11 - 10:36 pm
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If that's the case, then no wonder why so many were turned into Walkers during the fall of Atlanta.
And I guess the infection made them even hungrier after gobbling up Deputy Grimes horse.
But, if you drop your bag of weapons in a Zed-filled street, then an iZip would make short work of picking them up.
bentstrider responding to a
comment by gado_gado
05.20.11 - 11:06 pm
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Weaksauce. Why not just buy a fleet of 650B Box Dog Pelicans? Fast, comfortable, and you leap off curbs and roll over pot holes still.
Heck, a fleet of $100 mid 90s fully rigid StumpJumpers with fat slicks would be pretty light and fast and they wouldn't have to deal with those _tricky_ road bike controls!
cabhauler05.22.11 - 10:14 pm
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ahahahaha the lapd is pathetic. lacm is doable on a bmx, skates, and skateboards.
Rage05.24.11 - 7:43 pm
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