MAY the force be with you . . . a bit quicker and less out of breath than in the past!For beat bobbies could soon be on their bikes-with-a-difference as they travel around their patches keeping an eye on problems and helping the residents.

MAY the force be with you . . . a bit quicker and less out of breath than in the past!

For beat bobbies could soon be on their bikes-with-a-difference as they travel around their patches keeping an eye on problems and helping the residents.

Community officers and traffic wardens in Felixstowe are having a trial run with a new electric-powered cycle.

If the trial proves a success, it is hoped to gain sponsorship to buy some of the bikes to use on the resort's larger beats.

The Powabyke has a top speed of 15mph and can do around 20 miles before needing its battery to be recharged from a household power point.

The 24-gear cycles have been loaned to the police and traffic wardens thanks to the help of Flynnstar Cycles in Constable Road, Felixstowe.

"They are just like ordinary bikes, except for the 200 watt motor on the front wheel. You can pedal them as you normally would any bike and then at the flick of the switch let the motor take over," said shop owner Stephen Flynn.

"For police officers and traffic wardens who have to cover large areas, it will mean they can get places much quicker and more comfortably.

"I have sold four in Felixstowe and people are finding they make life much easier – especially with the hills we have between the seafront and town centre."

The manufacturers reckon that the travel cost works out at 1.5 pence per mile.

Mr Flynn said he had sold one powered cycle to a woman who commutes to work from Felixstowe to Ipswich and back and she was already noticing savings.

"Trains and buses have become a thing of the past for her. She has permission from her boss to recharge the battery at the office and uses the bike to travel to and from work," he said.

The bikes cost around £700.