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Electric motorcycle will allow Truckee Police to patrol trails

Special to the Sun
This electric motorcycle will be used daily upon Truckee’s streets, trails and off-road areas, according to Truckee Police.
Courtesy Truckee Police |

TRUCKEE, Calif. — The Truckee Police Department has added a new electric motorcycle to the fleet.

In an effort to utilize alternatively powered vehicles, reduce emissions and noise pollution that disturb the natural beauty of our mountain environment, it was decided the “Zero Motorcycle was” a perfect fit.

Santa Cruz-based Zero Motorcycles is a global leader in the electric motorcycle industry. The Zero FXP was designed to meet the specific requirements of public safety applications. The motorcycle offers versatility, low cost of operation, hassle-free maintenance and minimal environmental impact.



While the motorcycle will be used instead of bicycles in some situations, it is not the end of bike patrols, Truckee Police Capt. Rob Leftwich said.

“An officer on a bicycle is essentially out of commission for incidents beyond a certain range because of how long it might take to pedal back to a patrol vehicle,” he said. “The Zero, on the other hand, can go from the Legacy Trail to the top of Tahoe Donner as quickly as an officer in a vehicle.”



In addition, “The integration of the dual purpose electric motorcycle will provide the Truckee Police with the ability to expand our existing patrol efforts, which we believe will improve the level of service we provide to our community,” said Leftwich.

With Truckee’s approximate 20 miles of developing trail infrastructure and an estimated 35 miles of potential trails, there is substantial territory to cover with the right type of patrol vehicle.

When the weather is appropriate, the motorcycle will be used daily upon Truckee’s streets, trails and off-road areas. The dual sport capability of the Zero FXP is particularly valuable in patrolling areas that have extreme fire danger, allowing officers quick and silent access where they had difficulty accessing before.

The motorcycle is fully equipped with emergency lighting and sirens, safety components and functional storage options to carry gear, patrol items, and emergency medical equipment.

With no emissions and nearly no noise while being ridden, the Zero allows officers to be in several environments and situations where it will not disturb the natural surroundings, but can still function as a fully equipped police vehicle.

Currently, there are three officers and two sergeants who are trained and authorized to ride the motorcycle. All operators attended an in-depth training course that was state certified for police motorcycle operators.

The purchase price of the motorcycle and the needed safety equipment was all paid for with grant funds. Additionally, the training course costs and some of the hours spent patrolling on the motorcycle will be covered or reimbursed through grants.

This article was provided by the Truckee Police Department. Visit townoftruckee.com/departments/police to learn more.


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