Jackson, MO, police start bicycle unit

"We'll be very active. We won't be able to cover 40 or 50 miles a night, but we're going to be able to get to places a lot quicker sometimes while patrol cars are on other side of town," Officer Jackie Wilson says.

Jackson police point out the only thing they might burn on these bikes, will be rubber.

"Another thing is savings on gas. With the cost of fuel going up, we're not going to be riding around in patrol cars burning up gasoline," Lt. Rodney Barnes says.

Only two police officers plan on making the transition to bikes at this time. That follows an extensive training program with the International Police Mountain Bike Association.