Bike Racks on Police Cars Proposed by City Councilman

As gasoline prices continue to escalate, reports of alternative programs proposed by federal and local government officials are also rising. Of note is Athens, Alabama City Councilman Ronnie Marks' proposition that the city police department consider outfitting patrol cars with bicycle racks so officers can park and patrol on bikes.

Marks reported that the local police department currently has 50 vehicles, budgeted $75,000 and to date has spent $27,634 on gas and oil. He asserted that bike racks on police cars would keep fuel costs down by allowing patrolmen to park their cars and ride through complexes such as malls, business parks and downtown areas. Also night-shift patrol officers could bicycle in pairs for part of their shifts.