15-02-2025
Fayetteville Fire Department to use e-moto bikes for trail rescues
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) — The Fayetteville Fire Department has developed a new team that will use two fully electronic dirt bikes, or 'e-moto' bikes, to respond to calls on and along trails in Fayetteville.
The City of Fayetteville's trail system is made up of approximately 116 miles of paved and unpaved trails. With its E-Moto Trail Response Team, the Fayetteville Fire Department (FFD) will be one of the first agencies in the region to deploy fully electronic e-moto bikes for trail responses, according to a news release.
'The bikes first and foremost will allow the team to gain quick access to any of our trail users in need,' FFP's community outreach coordinator Patti Mulford said. 'Which will allow them to quickly excavate and bring them to an ambulance to provide a higher level of care.'
The department has purchased two Beta Explorers, which are smaller than a standard off-road motorcycle but have similar characteristics.
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Before activating the E-Moto Trail Response Team, firefighters will train on the e-moto bikes. The training is scheduled to take place next week on trails at Markham Hill, Centennial Park and Kessler Mountain Regional Park.
'The overall goal of the training on the trails is to gain comfort and confidence while riding,' Capt. John Lovett said. 'A lot of it has to do with understanding what kind of terrain the bike can handle. Riding on trails where we'll be responding is the best way to prepare us for a 911 situation.'
Types of calls the bikes will be used for include any medical and/or trauma emergencies, lost hikers/cyclists and anything else that occurs on the trail systems where access is limited.
The E-Moto Trail Response Team will be on standby during special events, such as the Frozen Toes 5K and 15K at Kessler Mountain Regional Park, as well as the 2025 U.S. Pro Cup and 2025 Cyclocross National Championships at Centennial Park.
To learn more about the Fayetteville Fire Department, visit their website.
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