Issue Date: 7th August 2023
An Garda Síochána has launched a new pilot initiative to evaluate the broader feasibility of the use of e-bikes in Irish policing.
As of this weekend, six electric bicycles by three different manufacturers are now in use by Gardaí trained and qualified as pedal cyclists and attached to Store Street and Pearse Street Garda Stations in Dublin’s City Centre.
Moving over to the use of electric bicycles has several benefits as a more environmentally friendly solution and will further strengthen the existing high-visibility bicycle patrols in operation across the city.
Their use will allow Gardaí to cover larger areas for longer periods of time as the e-bikes owned by An Garda Síochána are up to 250w, can operate up to 25kmph and have a motor that operates when pedalling in a power assisted role. Bicycle patrols increase the ability of Gardaí to provide assistance while in congested areas, and encourage the public to approach and engage with their Gardaí on-duty to keep them and their community safe.
Speaking on the introduction of this initiative, Assistant Commissioner for the Dublin Metropolitan Region, Angela Willis said, "We fully appreciate the reassurance that high visibility policing provides to the public. This pilot sees a number of different models of e-bikes being used by members of An Garda Síochána over the coming months.
"These new electric bicycles will enhance our visibility particularly in the city centre as part of Operation Citizen. The new e-bike patrols will help us further increase the existing foot, pedal cycle and mobile patrols within the city centre – an area that has a weekly footfall of almost two million people.
"This initiative demonstrates our ongoing commitment to keeping people safe in the capital.”
This pilot is being operated in partnership with ‘GreenAer’ – an Irish distributor of a large number of electric bike manufacturers. It is anticipated that the pilot will be extended to include Cork City later this year.
