Coaster Photo
Pictured are (from left) Asbury Park Mayor John Moor, Lt. Lorenzo Pettway, Officer Hand, Officer Alexander Mabe, Ken Seigler, Mike Attianese, Officer Martin, Officer Gutierrez
By WILLIAM CLARK
The Asbury Park Police Department’s bike unit is powered up.
This summer, several local businesses donated e-bikes to the department. During routine patrols, officers stop and speak with business owners regarding issues they may be having.
“A couple business owners suggested we move into the new age of e-bikes,” Police Officer Alexander Mabe said.
The two bikes, valued at $2500 each, are adorned with police decals and have been rolling through the streets of Asbury Park for several months now.
“I’m using them every day on our shift,” Mabe said. “It’s come into use a couple of times being able to get from one spot to the other.”
Mabe said he was excited at being assigned to the bike unit.
“It was a wonderful challenge I was looking to take,” he said.
The new e-bike, with its ability to pedal assist, certainly helps with the challenges of policing on two wheels.
“It’s improved how much ground we were able to cover through the day,” Mabe said, noting that officers can wear up to 35 pounds of equipment. “Especially when it’s 97 degrees outside.”
Mabe also mentioned that the bikes have performed well on the variety of surfaces they encounter throughout the city including sand or grass.
Whacky Tobaccy, E-Bike King and Yes Graphics donated and outfitted the bikes and provided appropriate officers with a tutorial on how to use the new equipment.
“We see the guys always riding every day on the bikes,” said Mike Attianese of Whacky Tobaccy. “Electric is kind of the new wave so I figured I’d help out the local police department.”
Mabe is one of several officers on the bike patrol unit.
“Everybody who’s in the unit seems to enjoy them,” Mabe said.
