The high price of gas is driving more police departments to change the way officers get around. In Lebanon County, some of them may be trading their cruisers for pedal power.

Law enforcement officials in the area say that adding bike patrols is not only an effective way to control fuel costs, but could also be a more effective way to patrol the streets.

Cleona police say they've had bike patrols for years, and now they're training more officers to make the department more visible to the community.

"We're trained, whether it's walking the beat or anything else," said Cleona Police Chief Ray Barry. "I think you're even safer on a bicycle in some respects."

The Annville Police Department is getting its bike patrol back in gear for the first time in almost three years. Chief Michael Burdge said it will help deter crime because bikes can go where patrol cars can't.

"You're out there, you can move up on things a lot more stealth than you could with, say, a patrol car," said Burdge. "People see you coming in a black car."

One resident who spoke anonymously questioned the response time of an officer on a bike versus one in a car. Cleona Mayor Jack Harman said he supports the patrols, but said response time will depend on the location of the officer.

"I'm all for the bike," said Harman. "I just wanted council to know that if something happened on the east side of the borough, response time is not going to be that quick to the west side of the borough."

Annville resident Robert Lemon said that he can see the benefits of bike patrols.

"With the way they have the street reconstructed here in Annville, it's hard for cars to get through, especially with the busy times of the day," said Lemon. "They might be able to get through faster on a bike."