Thanks to a donation from Farquhar Chrysler North Bay Police have two e bikes to patrol North Bay and Callander.

The TREK E-bikes can gain a speed of 42 km an hour and are equipped with police lights and sirens.

Owner of Farquhar Chryster, Ryan Farquhar says the bikes will cut down on officer fatigue compared to regular bikes and that’s not the only benefit.

“What do we need now more than ever? Positive interaction with North Bay Police and the community. And this provides one more opportunity for great positive conversations,” he says.

The bikes, valued at $7000 each were purchased at CheapSkates in North Bay.

Deputy Chief Michael Daze says these bikes will enhance community service.

“It allows interaction that gauges feedback for the community and helps build relationships. And the more we can can do that the stronger service we can provide and ultimately that is our goal,” Daze says.

Daze says these bikes will help reduce officer fatigue and improve safety.

“On a traditional bike and the officer is downtown for example we will have a delay in a time response in the officer getting to the call and that can impact safety. And when the officer gets there there’s a fatigue issue as he’s pedaled across the city to get to the call,” he says.

Police now have a total of seven bikes as part of the bike patrol program.

(photo submitted by North Bay Police)