The White Rock Lake Conservancy is raising funds to equip police patrolling the park with brand-new electronic bikes.
The Banowetz family (back row center) with Dallas bike patrol officers when the original bicycles were donated in 2016. (Photo courtesy of White Rock Lake Conservancy.)
Many Dallas Police officers patrolling White Rock Lake currently utilize the pedal bikes donated by WRLC and the Banowetz family six years ago. The new initiative will aim to replace those bikes with semi-motorized eBikes with maximum speeds of up to 28 miles per hour, which WRC believes will allow officers to cover more ground around the lake and on surrounding trails.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the officers who help keep our lake and trails safe, and this is a great opportunity to show our support,” an email from WRLC read.
(White Rock Lake Foundation President Kathleen Foley touched on this topic when we interviewed her for the July issue.)
The previous set of bikes was donated by the Banowetz family in collaboration with the conservancy as a way to honor Leon Banowetz’s late mother-in-law, Tucker Burns, who was an avid enjoyer of the lake and a friend to many of the local patrol officers.
Manufactured by American Bike Patrol Services, a first responder-oriented bicycle company, each bike is built with a reinforced frame that can support at least 400 pounds. The eBikes are powered by a 1000 watt mid-drive electric engine that enables pedal and throttle support.
The eBikes will come with lights, sirens, custom police bags and water bottle cages.
Similar bicycles are already in use by the department in Downtown Dallas.
A fundraising goal for the initiative has been set at $47,000. Donations can be made on the organization’s boomerang page.The cost for each bike comes out to $5,788. An initial purchase of $29,000 will be made for five eBikes, with the remainder reserved for future fleet expansion. The conservancy will coordinate with DPD’s Northeast Patrol Division in purchasing the bikes.
“We’re incredibly grateful for the officers who help keep our lake and trails safe, and this is a great opportunity to show our support,” an email from WRLC read.
Manufactured by American Bike Patrol Services, a first responder-oriented bicycle company, each bike is built with a reinforced frame that can support at least 400 pounds. The eBikes are powered by a 1000 watt mid-drive electric engine that enables pedal and throttle support.
Each will come with lights, sirens, custom police bags and water bottle cages, according to a WRLC email.
Similar bicycles are already in use by the department in Downtown Dallas.
A fundraising goal for the initiative has been set at $47,000. Donations can be made on the organization’s boomerang page.The cost for each bike comes out to $5,788. An initial purchase of $29,000 will be made for five eBikes, with the remainder reserved for future fleet expansion. The conservancy will coordinate with DPD’s Northeast Patrol Division in purchasing the bikes.
