Harley LiveWires Patrolling the Streets of Glasgow
Harley-Davidson sends LiveWire electric motorcycles to support to COP26 climate summit in Scotland.
In one of the smartest product integrations recently from Harley-Davidson, the company has outfitted the Scottish police force supporting the COP26 climate change summit in Glasgow with a fleet of six LiveWire electric motorcycles.
As first reported by the UK’s Visordown, the bikes were specially modified for police duty with the help of two Harley-Davidson dealerships in Scotland, and handed over to the force in late October. They’ll be used for escorting VIPs around the city and other patrol duties during the 12-day conference.
Other than price, one of the knocks on the LiveWire, or any electric bike really, has been rangephobia and concerns about limited charging infrastructure in many parts of the world. Skeptics are wary of limited utility despite the bike’s great performance traits.
With a mixed urban/highway range of about 140 miles, a full day of riding in and around town is a stress-free proposition, but the idea of a multi-day cross-country tour leaves many traditional riders with range angst.
Is the Harley LiveWire–The Perfect Police Bike?
Of all the places where an electric motorcycle shines, urban policing might be near the top of the list. The LiveWire thrives in an urban environment, where its light weight, nimble handling and light-switch power delivery make it a great vehicle for a cop policing tight city streets. Plus what cooler way to chase down a speeding Tesla? Charging and range concerns are non-issues too, as city cops don’t need to cover a lot of miles while on patrol and they have ample time to recharge between shifts.
“Where possible we have taken measures to ensure that COP26 is policed in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way,” Roads Policing Superintendent Darren Faulds said in a press release.“ Our work to improve our sustainability has been enhanced thanks to the support of Harley-Davidson, and we welcome these electric motorcycles as an addition to our existing road policing assets to help with the delivery of a safe and secure event.”
So kudos to Harley for putting the LiveWire front and center in the clean energy conversation.
Photos: Harley-Davidson