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Commission approves free trial of electric police motorcycles for department evaluation
Summary
The commission approved a trial of RIVID electric motorcycles for the Sweetwater Police Department, accepting a no-cost test agreement with liability terms; the chief and deputy chief will evaluate performance and report back.
Sweetwater commissioners on Aug. 4 approved a no-cost trial arrangement to test electric motorcycles from RIVID Motorcycles for the police department. Deputy Chief Noel Gill described the vehicles — an Anthem model weighing about 300 pounds with a top speed suitable for patrol — and staff said two motorcycles would be provided for a test period (the vendor planned to deliver four to a nearby location, with two assigned to Sweetwater, one equipped for lights and siren).
The trial agreement, as reviewed by the city attorney and police leadership, imposes no initial cost to the city for the test phase; the company will supply the bikes and the city attorney said he negotiated modifications to the vendor contract to protect the city, including Florida law and venue in Miami-Dade County and other adjustments. Commissioners approved a motion to allow the police department to accept the motorcycles for a test period and proceed with legal review and trial operations.
The deputy chief said the motorcycles are intended for specialized assignments (tight-space maneuvering, parking-lot work and quiet surveillance) rather than replacing conventional gas-powered police motorcycles; they have an estimated 70-mile range per charge and an approximate cost of $11,000 for a fully equipped police package if purchased. The city attorney noted indemnification language and other contractual elements were reviewed and adjusted; the mayor and chief said they would continue to review the agreement and report back to the commission on trial results and any recommended procurement.
Action: Motion to accept the trial motorcycle arrangement and authorize the police department to evaluate the electric motorcycles was seconded and approved. Staff and legal will finalize contract language, and the department will perform operational testing and report findings to the commission.
