Police in Devon and Cornwall recently trialled 18 electric bikes. At the moment, it is mainly testing the use of electric bikes to improve the visibility of some officers. After experimenting with electric bikes for a while, police say the program has been so successful that they are ready to buy about 50 ebikes for use throughout the region.

In a bid to improve community management and reduce anti-social behavior, the Department for Transport funded the trial - which is being run in conjunction with Cornwall Council - and has so far seen PCSOs riding electric bikes in St Yves, Falmouth, Torpoint, Newquay, Bodmin, Liskeard, Trullo, Camborne, and Hair.

Police said they can do a better job by using electric bikes to patrol the neighborhood.

For example, PSCO Candice Britten said the electric bikes were wonderful and added she was chatting with more people now that they feel safe approaching her and stopping her.

As you drive by, many people notice police and comment, "Oh, I never see police unless it's an emergency." Now you feel so much more approachable on a bike than you do in a car.

PSCO Britten also claimed that compared to walking or driving, riding the ebike across a city allows her to cover a lot more territory.

She said, "If you walk through one of the towns you're working in, you probably walk through it once or twice a day. On a bike, I could probably go through it 10 times a day, so I'm seeing more people."

Superintendent Thompson claims to be developing a plan for the force to spend around £100,000 on about 30 e-bikes in Cornwall and 20 in Devon at a time when gasoline prices are rising.

"Based on the statistics of 25 kilometers per week, the ROI compared to employing a normal patrol car is around three years. It will be economical."