Atlanta police boost Beltline patrols with e-bikes
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The Atlanta Police Department has added 15 new e-bikes to its fleet for officers who patrol the Beltline. GIF: Kristal Dixon/Axios
The Atlanta Police Department has rolled out a new fleet of e-bikes to help officers respond quicker to calls for service along the Beltline.
Why it matters: The question of safety and how many officers patrol the more populated areas of the path has been a concern for Atlantans after two people were fatally stabbed on the trail this year.
The latest: Atlanta police collaborated with Bearings Bike Works in Adair Park to build 15 new e-bikes for officers in the department's Path Force to use for patrols.
- Becky O'Mara, co-founder and director of development at Bearings, said the bikes were assembled by young adults in the company's job training program.
- "We're grateful for all that you do to keep our community safe, especially the unique amenity of the Beltline," she said Wednesday.
Zoom in: Lt. Armando Silva, commander of the Path Force, said the motorized component of the e-bikes will also allow officers to ride comfortably during their full 10- or 12-hour shift.
- Major Jeff Cantin, who oversees APD's community services division and the Path Force, said the bikes can be ridden for up to 80 miles on a single charge, which allows officers to cover more distance.
- Each bike can also reach speeds up to 28 miles per hour.
Catch up quick: Two incidents reported along the path earlier this year led to calls for Atlanta police to add more officers to the Beltline beat.
- In August, Ramon Harris, 29, was fatally stabbed near Kroger on the Eastside Trail after a verbal argument escalated.
- In May, police say Alyssa Paige, 23, was stabbed to death along the Northeast Trail near the 1700 block of Flagler Avenue.
By the numbers: About 2.5 million people visit the Beltline per year, according to a 2025 press release.
State of play: This weekend will be busy in Atlanta, as the city host its annual Pride festival and parade, Atlanta Falcons and Morehouse College football games and an Atlanta United soccer match.
- "We look forward to using these this weekend, along with the other things we will use, to keep everybody safe on the Beltline," Cantin said, adding about 300,000 people visit the Eastside Trail each month.
What's next: APD said it eventually wants to build out the Path Force to have enough officers covering the entire 22-mile loop once it's built out.