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West Hollywood Riding Into New Millennium on ZAP Electric Bicycles

11 January 1999

City of West Hollywood Riding Into New Millennium on ZAP Electric Bicycles

    WEST HOLLYWOOD, Calif.--Jan. 11, 1999--Actor George Takei-famous worldwide as Sulu on the original Star Trek series and longtime supporter of futuristic, creative technology-is helping the City of West Hollywood today in kicking off its innovative, new Electric Bike Parking Enforcement Program.
    The program utilizes the latest technology in the bicycle industry. The City's new, specially-trained Electric Bike Enforcement Unit will use electric motor-assisted bicycles to patrol West Hollywood and carry-out their parking enforcement duties. The electric ZAP PATROL(TM) bikes are a product of electric bike and scooter manufacturer ZAP Power Systems (OTC BB:ZAPP) of Sebastopol, California.
    West Hollywood's parking enforcement officers will do more than monitor the streets for parking violations. Trained to serve the public with efficiency and courtesy, the Elite Bike Enforcement Unit will also assist the community with other services, like helping stranded motorists and providing tourists and visitors directions to parking locations and places of interest along West Hollywood streets, such as the Sunset Strip, Santa Monica Boulevard and Melrose Avenue.
    While bicycles have become a popular form of law enforcement recently, ZAP says many government agencies have found the electric power assist to be an invaluable law enforcement tool. Like a "turbo-boost", the electric power assists the rider's own pedaling, getting them to calls more quickly and expanding their patrol range while reducing rider fatigue. The electric power lets officers easily travel at 20 MPH, and helps them climb hills more quickly. The bikes are equipped with lights and sirens to assist in pursuits or even in pulling over automobiles. Over 150 law enforcement agencies in the United States now use ZAP bikes.
    An advocate of innovative transportation programs, George Takei was appointed by late Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley to the Board of Directors of the Southern California Rapid Transit District, serving from 1973 to 1984.

    ZAP, which has sold over 20,000 units worldwide, also manufactures consumer model electric bikes and scooters. For more information visit the ZAP Website at http://zapbikes.com or call 800-251-4555. ZAP is a publicly owned company, stock symbol ZAPP.