San Mateo Police Embrace Electric Motorcycles

The San Mateo Police Department is the latest force to welcome technology from Zero Motorcycles. Police in the California city have purchased a 2013 Zero DS Police Motorcycle, which is designed specifically for security workers.

Zero's electric motorcycle features an expansive range and low sound output, enabling officers to complete their duties with all of the agility and flexibility they need. The bike also boasts few maintenance requirements and impressive maneuverability, Motorcycle.com reported. While the department will need the right protective motorcycle accessories, purchasing the bike is the first step toward adding a layer of mobility to the force.

"Zero has designed and engineered the police line-up based on feedback directly from patrol officers regarding their needs and responsibilities," said John Lloyd, vice president of global sales for Zero Motorcycles, in a statement. "We are thrilled that the city San Mateo Police Department is not only putting our Police Motorcycle into service, but also deploying it downtown in the center of action."

This is hardly the first time law enforcement has embraced the idea of motorcycles. The special Police Motorcycles are already being used in cities ranging from Santa Cruz and Monterrey to Hong Kong and Bogota, and several universities in California have also taken advantage of the machines to patrol campuses.