Police officers JJ Voeller, left, and Kyle O’Hagan, right, check on a man outside the library while riding new electric-assisted mountain bikes Sunday in Mountlake Terrace. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Police officers JJ Voeller, left, and Kyle O’Hagan, right, check on a man outside the library while riding new electric-assisted mountain bikes Sunday in Mountlake Terrace. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

E-bikes mark return of Mountlake Terrace bike unit

The city bought two new electric-assisted mountain bikes to resume bicycle patrols after nearly a decade of dormancy.

MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Tires rumbled over dirt, rocks and twigs as Mountlake Terrace police officers Kyle O’Hagan and JJ Voeller pedaled through trails at Veterans Memorial Park.

The steep slopes of the ravine were tamed into level ground thanks to electric-assisted mountain bikes. If the officers were responding to an emergency, they’d have plenty of energy left.

The city recently bought the bikes from the Snohomish Bicycle Centres shop for $6,650 each. Money for the bikes came from Mountlake Terrace’s general fund, which covers most city services.

The new bikes effectively revived the police department’s bike unit after almost a decade of dormancy.

Other law enforcement agencies have electric cars, including the Mukilteo Police Department and Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office.

Mountlake Terrace police officer Kyle O’Hagan demonstrates riding techniques with a new electric-assisted mountain bike Sunday in Mountlake Terrace. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Mountlake Terrace police officer Kyle O’Hagan demonstrates riding techniques with a new electric-assisted mountain bike Sunday in Mountlake Terrace. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Now, a pair of Mountlake Terrace police officers can ditch their sport utility vehicles for a little nimble pedal power in the form of Trek electric-assisted bicycles.

“It’s the modern way of walking your police beat,” said O’Hagan, who has worked in the department for over 6 years.

Police departments in Green Bay, Wis., and Los Angeles bought electric pedal-assist bikes in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

People can expect to see the police e-bikes at the July 3 gathering and fireworks show as well as the Tour de Terrace.

The bicycle unit’s primary responsibility is community outreach, Cmdr. Mike Haynes wrote in an email.

“Bikes are unique in the sense they afford officers the ability to interact with the community on a level not typically available from a patrol car,” Haynes wrote.

A speedometer also controls the amount of boost from on a new electric-assisted mountain bike at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

A speedometer also controls the amount of boost from on a new electric-assisted mountain bike at the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

O’Hagan and Voeller, a 4-year veteran with the department who previously worked on the bike patrol unit for the University of Washington Police Department, agreed that being on bikes makes them more approachable.

Using the bikes, which can reach 18 mph with electric assist, helps Mountlake Terrace officers cover area that otherwise might be difficult or time-consuming to traverse. At the July 3 fireworks show at Ballinger Park, patrolling its acres becomes faster and more efficient than driving a car or walking from one end to the other.

The bike came in handy recently for O’Hagan while looking for someone reportedly sleeping in the park. Instead of walking around the 9-acre wooded land, he hopped on the Trek, toggled the pedal assist and zipped on the trails until he found the man and connected him with a social worker.

The two bike unit officers attended a 36-hour training in Spokane recently. It went beyond biking basics and covered how to properly hop curbs and obstacles, braking and dismounting after pedaling at nearly full speed, and side-by-side and team riding.

Police officers JJ Voeller, left, and Kyle O’Hagan, right, pose for a photo on new electric-assisted mountain bikes Sunday near the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

Police officers JJ Voeller, left, and Kyle O’Hagan, right, pose for a photo on new electric-assisted mountain bikes Sunday near the Mountlake Terrace Police Department. (Annie Barker / The Herald)

“It’s one of the most physically demanding courses I’ve been part of,” O’Hagan said.

Those maneuvers present an injury risk. Officers are required to wear a helmet and the department bought elbow and knee pads.

The bikes have emergency lights that flash blue and red, fenders, kickstands, racks/cargo bags and sirens. Each bike has its own hitch-mounted rack and lock, as well as tire pumps and bike tools.

Ben Watanabe: 425-339-3037; bwatanabe@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @benwatanabe.

Talk to us

More in Local News

FILE - A sign hangs at a Taco Bell on May 23, 2014, in Mount Lebanon, Pa. Declaring a mission to liberate "Taco Tuesday" for all, Taco Bell asked U.S. regulators Tuesday, May 16, 2023, to force Wyoming-based Taco John's to abandon its longstanding claim to the trademark. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)
Hepatitis A confirmed in Taco Bell worker in Everett, Lake Stevens

The health department sent out a public alert for diners at two Taco Bells on May 22 or 23.

VOLLI’s Director of Food & Beverage Kevin Aiello outside of the business on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Marysville, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coming soon to Marysville: indoor pickleball, games, drinks

“We’re very confident this will be not just a hit, but a smash hit,” says co-owner Allan Jones, who is in the fun industry.

Everett
Detectives: Unresponsive baby was exposed to fentanyl at Everett hotel

An 11-month-old boy lost consciousness Tuesday afternoon. Later, the infant and a twin sibling both tested positive for fentanyl.

Cassie Franklin (left) and Nick Harper (right)
Report: No wrongdoing in Everett mayor’s romance with deputy mayor

An attorney hired by the city found no misuse of public funds. Texts between the two last year, however, were not saved on their personal phones.

Firearm discovered by TSA officers at Paine Field Thursday morning, May 11, 2023, during routine X-ray screening at the security checkpoint. (Transportation Security Administration)
3 guns caught by TSA at Paine Field this month — all loaded

Simple travel advice: Unpack before you pack to make sure there’s not a gun in your carry-on.

Heavy traffic northbound on 1-5 in Everett, Washington on August 31, 2022.  (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
To beat the rush this Memorial Day weekend, go early or late

AAA projects busy airports, ferries and roads over the holiday weekend this year, though still below pre-pandemic counts.

Logo for news use featuring the municipality of Snohomish in Snohomish County, Washington. 220118
Troopers: DUI crash leaves 1 in critical condition in Maltby

A drunken driver, 34, was arrested after her pickup rear-ended another truck late Tuesday, injuring a Snohomish man, 28.

Housing Hope CEO Donna Moulton raises her hand in celebration of the groundbreaking of the Housing Hope Madrona Highlands on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
$30M affordable housing project to start construction soon in Edmonds

Once built, dozens of families who are either homeless or in poverty will move in and receive social and work services.

Gary Fontes uprights a tree that fell over in front of The Fontes Manor — a miniature handmade bed and breakfast — on Friday, May 12, 2023, at his home near Silver Lake in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett’s mini-Frank Lloyd Wright builds neighborhood of extra tiny homes

A tiny lighthouse, a spooky mansion and more: Gary Fontes’ miniature world of architectural wonders is one-twelfth the size of real life.

Most Read