Mt. Pleasant police deploy e-bikes on Montour Trail
Hikers and cyclists along portions of the Montour and Panhandle trails that pass through Mt. Pleasant Township and Robinson townships may notice increased police oversight in the coming days.
The Mt. Pleasant Township Police Department announced Tuesday the acquisition of two e-bikes that will be deployed in regular trail safety patrols.
According to a release posted by the department on Facebook, “this program will help us access the trail systems to interact with our residents and visitors on another level to help further our community policing approach.”
Chief Matthew Tharp said in the release that the e-bike purchase was fully funded by proceeds from the department’s 2025 Annual Golf Outing, plus a Range Resources Good Neighbors Fund Grant, and a donation received by state Rep. Jason Ortitay.
The two bikes were completed with graphics similar to the department’s police cruisers and other accessories.
Tharp said the trail patrol program may grow further as the department identifies additional sources of funding to purchase more e-bikes.
According to Tharp, patrols began on Monday and the public response has been positive so far, saying that “we already received several ‘thank yous’ for showing our presence on the trail system. We even met a young visitor of the trail out for a bike ride.”
Montour Trail Council President Julian Wolfe said the nonprofit organization is “very grateful and appreciative” of the ongoing efforts of the Mt. Pleasant Township Police Department to enhance trail security.
“This is a very welcome development,” he said, noting that the Trail Council collaborates closely with many of the 12 different municipalities that host sections of the trail.
“This effort underscores a growing effort by local law enforcement to enhance trail safety,” Wolfe said. “We look forward to offering our continued support for these efforts throughout the region.”
The Montour Trail Council administers 60-plus miles of converted former railroad trails that wind through Pittsburgh’s South Hills.