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Cape Coral police officers are testing out electronic bikes for their patrols. (CREDIT: Cape Coral Police Department) The Cape Coral Police Department is considering purchasing electric bikes to help officers with patrols. The department, in a news release, wrote the department is testing the Recon Power Bike to evaluate whether the technology can help improve the efficiency and responsiveness of officers. The electric bikes would be in addition to foot patrols. Cape Coral police already employs bike officers in part of the city. The e-bikes can ride through sand and water, but a special bike rack would have to be installed on vehicles because they weigh about 70 pounds. “We will probably start off with two, just to make sure that you don’t buy a whole fleet of them and you find out that they’re not exactly what you need,” said Master Sgt. Patrick O’Grady, public information officer for the Cape Coral Police Department. The bikes retail for about $2,500, according to the Recon Power Bikes website. The Cape Coral Police Department said the bikes can up to 20 to 30 miles an hour and can travel about 40 miles with a single charge. “It’ll be used at community events, special events, bar details,” O’Grady said. “It could be used in burglary suppression in neighborhoods, it’s got a lot of uses out of it.” In case of an emergency, O’Grady said, the special bikes can be used to get somewhere quicker. Bike officers go through a 40-hour training course and ride for 100 miles before getting certified. (Jeannie Thwaites, Cape Coral 58:26) “Well, it would keep everybody safe, you know, at the event so it would be good for the public and law enforcement as well,” said Jeannie Thwaites, a Cape Coral resident. Denita Moorijara, of Cape Coral, agrees. “It would be very nice,” Moorijara said.