The Eagle Idaho Police Department is testing electric scooters in an attempt to go green and save money. The scooters, on loan from High Desert Harley Davidson, are in addition to the police cars already being used. The use of scooters in Eagle is not a new idea. In July, New York City announced it was testing four Vectrix scooters. The city is trying to combat its growing gasoline costs, which totaled $103.7 million in fiscal 2008, a 36 percent increase over the previous year. Vectrix electric scooters are also in similar security use at Penn State University, Amherst College, as well as the airport in Glasgow, Scotland. However, Eagle is the only Idaho community utilizing this new crime-fighting "cruiser."
The scooters, equipped with flashing lights, sirens and city of Eagle decals, are ideal for patrolling areas with vandalism or theft problems, and parks and close-in downtown areas where criminals, are on the lookout for patrol cars. And, these scooters are exactly what their name implies - fast; they can go from 0-50 in 6.8 seconds with a maximum speed of 62 mph.
As for environmental impact, it is estimated that each scooter will result in an annual reduction in carbon dioxide emissions of 5 tons.
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