PP&L, Inc., is providing the Bethlehem Police Department with one of the latest crime-fighting tools: an electric-powered patrol bicycle.

The bicycle — made by ZAP Power Systems of Sebastopol, Calif. — is a heavy-duty mountain bike with 24 pedaling gears and a two-speed electric motor. The motor enables a police officer to travel up to 20 miles an hour without pedaling.

"This donation is a symbol of the partnership between PP&L, Inc., and the communities it serves," said John F. Sipics, PP&L, Inc., vice president for Delivery Services & Economic Development. "We are pleased to help the Bethlehem Police Department in its use of bicycle patrols for improved public safety."

Sipics noted that more than 150 law enforcement agencies across the country are using electric-powered bicycles. In December 1998, PP&L, Inc., donated an electric-powered bicycle to the Allentown Police Department.

Electric bikes are growing in popularity among police departments, because they combine the benefits of bicycle patrols and gasoline-powered vehicles.

With an electric bicycle, officers can reach the scene of a crime or an emergency faster than they can with conventional bikes and without expending nearly as much energy.

As with conventional bikes, the electric bicycle has the advantage of going where police cars cannot. And, unlike gasoline-powered vehicles, the electric bike creates no exhaust emissions to pollute the air.

"We see the use of electric bicycles by police departments as an ideal use of electric-vehicle technology, which PP&L, Inc., has supported for many years," Sipics explained.

Bethlehem Mayor Donald T. Cunningham accepted the electric bicycle on behalf of the city during a ceremony Monday (3/22) at the Sand Island recreation area.

"PP&L has been a partner with Bethlehem for economic development, community revitalization and other needs," Cunningham said. "This is a unique venture that is going to have direct benefits for our police and the residents of Bethlehem."

The bicycle was purchased by PP&L, Inc., and the Electric Power Research Institute of Palo Alto, Calif., to demonstrate the benefits of electric-vehicle technology.

The electric motor runs for about 20 miles on a single charge, and the recharging cost is just pennies.