How America’s cops are embracing this revolutionary electric vehicle.
The Segway is a thing of the past, an artifact of less modern times. In its place, the Trikke Positron is steadfastly becoming the personal electric vehicle of choice for law enforcement officials — from California’s Bay Area Rapid Transit Police, to the Wilmington Police Department in Wilmington, Delaware.
Not only is the three-wheel, battery-powered Positron a great replacement for the lumbering curiosity that was the Segway, “police Trikkes” are proving to be a great multi-purpose tool in their own right, assisting officers in ways the old Segway could’ve only dreamed of.
“There’s no comparison to the other options currently on the market; the Trikkes are miles ahead,” says Officer Mitchel Ashton of the Norfolk PD in Norfolk, Virginia.
It’s a popular sentiment among officers who’ve experienced riding the Positron, built expressly for law enforcement by Trikke Tech, Inc., through its Trikke Professional Mobility division.
“All of my coworkers and the public love the Trikkes,” says Norfolk PD officer Mitchel Ashton (center).
Once makers of the body-powered Trikke carving scooter for consumers, Trikke Tech has evolved to become the U.S.-based manufacturer and distributor of rugged, professional-grade, personal electric patrol vehicles — mainly through word of mouth and the appearance of police Trikkes at many a law enforcement trade show.
Turns out, the cambering technology behind the original Trikke, plus the power of an electric battery have turned what was once a recreational alternative to the bike into a revolutionary new mobility solution for police officers on patrol.
“The proprietary, three-wheel cambering system is perfect for efficiently moving around congested areas, public events, and large campuses,” says Gildo Beleski, Trikke Tech’s CEO and chief engineer. “Trikke Positrons are quiet and highly-ergonomic, with high-torque electric motors, heavy-duty construction, and a small footprint, all technologies we’ve developed for law enforcement applications.”
Whether on patrol with the police departments of Atlantic Beach, Florida, Wheeling, West Virginia, or Royal Oak, Michigan, the Positron is an all-weather, multi-terrain vehicle designed for use in a variety of conditions, both indoors and outdoors, says Beleski.
“They can be parked close to any entrance,” he notes, “and their height makes them far superior to bikes in terms of visibility, especially when it comes to looking over traffic, parked cars, fences, and crowds.”
But don’t just take the word of the company’s CEO and inventor of the Trikke. Consider the rave reviews offered by actual police officers, especially for the Positron’s maneuverability.
“I really enjoy using the Positron,” says Lieutenant Brendon Barth of the Atlanta PD’s Video Integration Center. “It has great mobility, speed, handling and visibility. I’m able to ride on the street and go places cars can’t go. It’s perfect around parks and crowds.”
The Trikke Positron is a head-turner and people magnet.
Another unique featuring often cited: the Positron’s ability to promote positive interaction within the communities officers serve and protect.
“Police also say the Trikkes will make them more visible to the campus community,” notes a story by Dallas’ NewsRadio 1080 KRLD. In it, Dallas College Chief of Police Lauretta Hill echoes the idea that Positrons are a public relations plus: “Officers can get around, and people will walk up to us just because they want to know what it is.”
Turns heads. Promotes positive interaction. Provides a more mobile alternative to the extinct Segway. When’s the last time a police department acquisition did all that?
For this Texas-size community college system, electric Trikkes are “ideal for patrolling.”
How do you keep over 100,000 students on seven campuses safe? For the Dallas College Police Department, part of the solution is the Trikke Positron, the top-of-the-line, three-wheel, personal electric vehicle made by Trikke Tech and built expressly for law enforcement.
To aid in patrolling one of the largest community college systems in the Lone Star State, the department added the Positron to its lineup of security vehicles, mainly to help officers move around campus more quickly, according to an article on NewsRadio 1080 KRLD. In it, Dallas College officers speak highly of their new tool and its “new technology.”
“It’s really silent, so we can get around the campus without causing too much of a disruption to campus. We’ll also be able to patrol outside of campus,” says Officer Luis Leal in the article.
Additionally, Chief of Police Lauretta Hill comments on how the Trikkes make officers more visible to the campus community: “Officers can get around, and people will walk up to us just because they want to know what it is,” she notes in the article.
The Dallas College Police Department’s fleet of Trikke Positrons are built expressly for law enforcement.
After starting in November 2019 with four Positrons, the department — seeing their benefit — just added six additional units to cover more of the school’s campuses.
To help spread the word about their new patrol vehicles, Dallas College posted a video on its Facebook page introducing the three-wheelers to its community.
“Can your car or bicycle use an elevator?” the video asks while an officer on a Trikke easily rides off an elevator, then down a hallway. The thirty-second clip also features both voice-over and graphics highlighting how Positrons are “ideal for patrolling campuses and keeping them safe,” and how they can “quickly gain access inside buildings and tight areas.”
But perhaps most notably, Dallas College via its video declares: “we are proud for our police to be among the first in the state to use this tool.”
Go here to find out more about the Trikke Positron. Go here to schedule a demo of the Trikke Positron for your law enforcement agency. Go here to learn more about all of Trikke Tech’s professional mobility options.
More speed, less noise, more cool: “Trikkes are an excellent replacement.”
For years, security officers at Pensacola Christian College relied on Segways to patrol the private Christian school nestled in the westernmost city on the Florida panhandle. But with the closure of Segway’s Personal Transport division, a new solution was needed. Enter the Trikke Defender, part of Trikke Tech’s lineup of personal electric vehicles built expressly for security and law enforcement purposes.
So how’s that working out so far?
“The Trikke Defender has stepped in as an excellent replacement,” says Ben Justus, security supervisor for PCC. “It has significantly more speed than a Segway, which has improved our mobility.”
Justus also notes that while the new vehicles do present a professional image, the students also think they look cool.
Let’s face it: authority figures looking cool is always a bonus. So, too, is the fact that the officers like patrolling on the three-wheel, cambering Defenders:
“Learning to ride is a little more nuanced than a Segway because of the throttle and brakes,” says Justus, “but all the officers have picked up on it fast and enjoy riding them.”
That adds up to Trikke Defenders being a suitable and durable replacement, according to Justus. As far as its best features, the security supervisor cites the speed, the removable batteries, the pre-configured light package, and the fact that Trikkes are quieter than Segways.
“Mr. Beleski has put a lot of good engineering into the product, so I can’t think of anything that I would change,” says Justus, speaking of Trikke Tech CEO and Chief Engineer Gildo Beleski. “Overall, it is a good product and better than Segway.”
Defenders deemed “more versatile than Segways,” preferred over other electric options
The outfit charged with maintaining a vibrant downtown Atlanta, Georgia, has discovered a better way to serve the public: equipping the ambassadors on its Ambassador Force with electric security Trikkes, most recently the Trikke Defender.
The Atlanta Downtown Improvement District is a public-private partnership and nonprofit, charitable organization that strives to create a more livable environment for the area. Clad in red and blue uniforms, its ambassadors serve to enhance the public safety environment by patrolling the streets and common areas, ready to offer friendly and helpful assistance.
“The general public always notices the Defender immediately.”
Additionally, ambassadors monitor downtown surveillance cameras and work with off-duty Atlanta Police officers, who are hired to assist them with their duties and provide selective enforcement. The Ambassador Force also staffs information booths and is tasked with keeping the sidewalks and trash containers clean.
While covering the 220-block district, ambassadors can be seen riding all-terrain public safety bikes, Segways, or – more notably, at least to the public’s eye – three-wheel Trikkes that are part of Trikke Tech’s lineup of electric mobility vehicles designed for professional applications.
After using early-model Trikke Patrollers for a time, the Ambassador Force recently upgraded its fleet with the newer Trikke Defender — a change for the better, according to Ambassador and Field Training Officer Albert Jackson.
“The Defender has expanded our range of operation, allowing us to mobilize more of our workforce to accomplish our mission,” says Jackson. “The transition [from the Patroller] to the Defender gave our riders more confidence and stability.”
When it comes to surveilling the cultural and economic center of a metropolitan area that’s home to more than 6 million people, confidence and stability matter.
Albert Jackson of Atlanta’s Ambassador Force prefers the Trikke Defender over the Segway.
So how exactly does the Trikke Defender help?
“The size and weight allow for a more even and stable ride,” says Jackson. “The Defender also presents a more commanding presence without taking up any more space on the horizon. Plus, the added suspension allows for better control and handling on uneven surfaces.”
As far as comparing security Trikkes to the infamous (and now discontinued) Segway – or other electric vehicles, for that matter — the field training officer is blunt:
“The Defender has proven to be more versatile than the Segway PT, and is preferred by me over other ‘electric’ operations.”
According to Jackson, he’s not the only Atlantan who’s sold:
“My co-workers are drawn more to the Defender than the Patroller, and the general public always notices the Defender immediately.”
So enamored with Trikke’s mobility solutions, was the Ambassador Force, they recently gifted the Atlanta Police Department with a Trikke POSI.TRON, the heavy-duty, top-of-the-line police Trikke.
As expected, the gift was much appreciated.
“I really enjoy using the POSI.TRON,” says Lieutenant Brendon Barth of the Atlanta PD’s Video Integration Center. “It has great mobility, speed, handling and visibility. I’m able to ride on the street and go places cars can’t go. It’s perfect around parks and crowds.”
Lieutenant Thomas Atzert of the Atlanta PD rides the Trikke POSI.TRON.
So what advice does Ambassador Jackson have for other organizations or law enforcement agencies considering security or police Trikkes?
“I would encourage them to compare the Trikke’s electric vehicle technology to any other products on the market,” he says. “I prefer Trikkes for our application and believe others can benefit from them, too.”
The Trikke Defender and POSI.TRON are part of Trikke Tech’s lineup of personal mobility vehicles for commercial and professional use and is expressly designed for patrolling applications related to law enforcement, emergency services, private security, event management and more.
Interview with the commander of the largest fleet of security Trikkes in the United States
A large supermarket chain needs to partner with a top-notch security company, which in turn, needs efficient mobility solutions for its personnel patrolling the parking lots of said supermarkets.
For the San Antonio, Texas-based H-E-B grocery store chain, that top-notch security company is Allied Universal Security Services, also based in San Antonio. H-E-B requires the highest available standards to secure their property, employees and most importantly, their customers. Several years ago, H-E-B and Allied teamed up to provide a unique, and much more effective method to patrol their store properties: some of Trikke Tech’s first electric Trikkes-turned security Trikkes. Now Allied manages the largest fleet of security Trikkes in the United States.
That’s 75 electric Trikkes patrolling the parking lots of H-E-B’s stores in over 150 communities across Texas. Picture it: security personnel standing tall on a swift and agile machine, afforded sweeping views of their surroundings, covering more territory on a vehicle that elicits “nothing but positive feedback from the public,” according to Mark Westman, director of operations at Allied.
When the opportunity arrived for Trikke to demonstrate the newer Trikke Defender, Allied was hesitant, says Westman, who calls the five-year experience with the original security Trikkes “mixed”:
“On the one hand, the original electric Trikkes improved both presence and coverage of large parking lots with a relatively good safety record for the operators. On the other hand, there was a constant need for service and replacement parts, especially since the units were not built for 24/7 patrolling duties.”
During that time, Trikke Tech’s development of security vehicles accelerated with the addition of new security models featuring suspension, all-wheel-drive and improved overall construction, according to Gildo Beleski, CEO of Trikke Tech, Inc.
“We created a new, heavy-duty platform with a professional-grade build,” recalls Beleski. He also gives credits to Westman and Allied for their role in influencing the newer specs and designs. “The cooperation between Trikke Tech and Allied has been important to the technical development of our vehicles. It helps us get a better understanding of the challenges of operation and maintenance.”
So how have the new Trikke Defenders worked out for Allied, and by extension, H-E-B, which had to approve of the units? To find out, we asked Mr. Westman, the aforementioned director of operations at Allied. As the manager of H-E-B’s portfolio, you might say he’s the commander of the fleet.
Q: How has the Trikke Defender improved the way you do your job? Westman: The Defender has provided our security professionals with a superior platform to patrol designated areas of responsibility. As one stands on the Trikke, patrol officers have a better view of the area. The Trikke is also more visible than [patrol] carts and has numerous safety features that allow for a safer experience than a cart or bicycle.
It’s much easier to handle than a bike and is much more forgiving for the various physical conditioning levels of our security professionals. It’s also much less expensive to our clients, and easier to keep road-worthy. Also, when on the Trikke, one can cover much more ground, much faster than on foot or in a cart or car (because of better visuals).
Q: What are the three best features of the Trikke Defender? Westman: Full suspension, digital and hydraulic operating systems, long battery life.
Q: What do your security professionals and the public think about the Trikkes? Westman: I find that personnel who don’t “like” the Trikke are suffering from ego issues and nothing else. Those are very few and far between. Anyone who cannot ride it safely (during training) are moved to posts without Trikkes, and those who do like it “can’t live without it.” Nothing but 110% positive feedback from the public, who are fascinated by it. I have ridden both models on numerous occasions while working with our security professionals, and I have even had the public want to take ‘selfies’ with me on the Trikke.
Q: How does the Trikke compare to other options available? Westman: There are no other options we could find that compare. Carts end up costing more in the long run and foster complacent patrol techniques, along with extremely poor visibility from a safety standpoint. Cars just don’t see carts. Bicycles require the need to pay even more attention to your surroundings, plus the need to maintain a high level of fitness to ride.
Q: What improvements would you suggest? Westman: Weatherproofing for the electronic components below the battery, the motors and especially the controller on the handlebars.
Q: What advice would you give other businesses considering acquiring the Trikke Defender? Westman: Develop a strong safety/training program. Ensure the operators are also responsible for daily basic care of the unit. (Trust me, we have 75, and getting market-wage personnel to take interest is a constant challenge). Have your staff trained for repairs. There’s nothing, other than a bent frame, that can’t be repaired in the field. That said, having a local, certified shop is a big plus. However, whether or not you get one or one hundred units, it’s best to have your own repair technicians. Trikke Tech is good about being available to help troubleshoot. It’s also good to have a crate of spare parts (and the tools you need) at the ready.
Q: How easy was learning to ride the electric Trikke? Is it enjoyable to ride? Westman: If trained properly, the Trikke is very easy to learn, and like any other new vehicle, the more you ride, the more confidence you gain; the more confidence you gain, the more fun it is. I take the “office” Trikke to every post I visit when traveling the region, and ride with my security professionals. It helps instill confidence in the security professional, and the public, after 7 years of experience, just eat it up. It’s the perfect security patrol tool.
The Trikke Defender is part of Trikke Tech’s lineup of personal mobility vehicles for commercial and professional use and is expressly designed for patrolling applications related to law enforcement, emergency services, private security, event management and more.
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