Atlantic City Police Department Purchases Fleet of BMW Motorcycles.

Business & Automotive Editors

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2000

The Atlantic City Police Department has purchased a fleet of 15 BMW R 1100 RT-P police motorcycles, replacing several Harley Davidson motorcycles currently in the Department's fleet of patrol vehicles. The BMW motorcycles, purchased from Cross Country BMW of Metuchen, will be ridden year-round by the Department's specially trained 14-member motorcycle squad. Officers will use the bikes to patrol the famed Boardwalk and streets of Atlantic City, to provide escort support for visiting dignitaries, and to lead city parades, including the Miss America parade.

"Officer safety is always foremost in our minds," commented Atlantic City Police Chief Arthur Snellbaker. "BMW is the only manufacturer to offer an authority motorcycle with an anti-lock brake system, which is essential to officer safety in an emergency braking situation. The bikes also have an extremely powerful electrical system and an overall lower cost of ownership, which will, ultimately, save the Department money," he added.

According to Chief Snellbaker, the Atlantic City Police Department was one of the nation's first to incorporate motorcycles into its fleet of patrol vehicles. "Atlantic City police officers have been riding motorcycles on their posts since the early 1900s," he noted. "The motorcycles allow our officers to respond quickly through crowds, traffic and rough terrain."

"We are delighted to form a relationship with the Atlantic City Police Department, and welcome its members to our growing family of law enforcement agencies using BMW authority motorcycles," said Frank Stevens, Authority Program Manager for the BMW Motorcycle Group.

Internationally, BMW is the largest seller of motorcycles for authority use. More than 70,000 BMW motorcycles are currently in official use in over 130 countries on five continents. A fleet of specially prepared BMW police motorcycles provide entourage support for Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

Nearly 100 U.S. law enforcement agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, have BMW authority motorcycles in their fleets of patrol vehicles. The BMW R 1100 RT-P ("P" for police) is based on the BMW R 1100 RT civilian model, but is equipped with features which tailor it for official use. It is powered by BMW's modern two-cylinder, four-stroke Boxer engine, which delivers 90 horsepower at 7,250 rpm. Comfort and safety features include an antilock braking system that operates independently on both front and rear wheels (important in rapid braking situations), standard "run-flat" capable tires (which allow the motorcycle to be safely controlled to a stop in the event of a flat), an electrically adjustable windshield to allow riders to tailor wind flow to riding speed and body proportions, electrically heated handgrips, an adjustable shift lever, and front and rear protection bars. In addition to special lighting and siren systems, the air/liquid cooled BMW R 1100 RT-P also comes equipped with auxiliary cooling fans, which are essential for an engine that must be kept idling or running at low speeds for long periods without overheating, and a large 700 W alternator with a dual battery system to keep the battery charged during long duties and ensure easy starting after long traffic stops.

BMW is the only manufacturer to offer catalytic converters across its entire model line. These systems reduce harmful emissions by 85 percent. Furthermore, the catalytic converters found on BMW motorcycles are made of fully recyclable materials.

BMW IN AMERICA

BMW of North America, Inc. was established in 1975. Since then, the company has grown to include marketing, sales and financial service organizations in the United States; a South Carolina manufacturing operation; DESIGNWORKS/USA, an industrial design firm in California; a technology office in Palo Alto and various other operations throughout the country. BMW is represented in the U.S. through a network of more than 340 car, 300 Sports Activity Vehicle and 160 motorcycle retailers. BMW US Holding Corp., the Group's headquarters for North, Central and South America, is located in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Information about BMW products is available to consumers via the World Wide Web on the BMW homepage. The address is: http://www.bmwusa.com. Information about BMW Motorcycles can be found at http://www.bmwusacycles.com. Information on BMW Riders' Wear and Equipment can be found at http://www.BMWonline.com.

Journalist note: Information about the BMW Group and its products is available to journalists on-line at the BMW Group PressClub at the following address -- www.press.bmwgroup.com.