ZAP Signs Electric Bike Deal With Smith & Wesson
14 March 2000
World's Largest Manufacturer of Handguns Takes Aim At Future of Law Enforcement Bicycling
SPRINGFIELD, Mass.--Smith & Wesson, known for well over a century as one of the world's premier firearm makers, launched its bicycle division three years ago to produce and distribute Law Enforcement bicycles. For the year 2000 they will be adding a new, hi tech product to keep one step ahead of the competition, bikes with "TURBO."Smith & Wesson announced today that a two year agreement with electric vehicle manufacturer Zapworld.com had been reached. Each company has agreed to an exclusive arrangement in which Smith & Wesson will provide bicycles for use with the patented Zapworld.com (ZAP) electric motor system. Smith & Wesson, which already has over 500 agencies using its bikes on a daily basis, will now be offering with each model the optional power assisted system provided by ZAP and likewise ZAP's law enforcement bikes will only be available on the Smith & Wesson bicycle.
"This alliance gives our customers one more advantage in the fight against crime," says Smith & Wesson sales manager Brooks Van Holt. "ZAP's modular system is easily adaptable to all Smith & Wesson law enforcement bicycles, turning them into a formidable tool for crime prevention."
The power-assisted bicycle helps riders reach optimum speed with less physical effort. It allows officers to respond to emergency calls faster, sometimes quicker than patrol cars. When they arrive, officers are less winded from the ride and in better shape to handle the situation. Climbing hills and stairs are obstacles easily overcome by applying a burst of power to propel the rider through them almost effortlessly. The 12-volt battery, which also powers the emergency lights and siren, adds both safety and visibility to the bicycle. Placing more officers on ZAP, or "Zero Air Pollution" vehicles as they like to say is a win/win situation for everybody.
The new alliance with ZAP will add to the more than 200 law enforcement agencies already using the power-assisted bikes nationally. This past summer over 100 Smith & Wesson bicycles with ZAP motors were deployed to a dozen departments in Los Angeles. Funded by air quality grants and the LA Department of Water and Power, the project is the largest of its kind and has proven to be very successful.
