Absconding perps might have to abscond a bit quicker in downtown San Rafael because of an electrifying development on the bike patrol.

The police department has acquired a set of four “e-bikes,” or bicycles assisted by lithium batteries. The e-bikes look and handle like normal bicycles, except the extra power kicks in as the rider pedals.

The battery-boosted bicycles can cruise at about 28 mph, or approximately twice a normal pedaling speed.

Although several police agencies in Marin — including the Novato Police Department, the Central Marin Police Authority and the Sausalito Police Department — have bike patrols, San Rafael appears to be the first local agency to switch to battery-assisted models. They are in use at police departments across the country.

San Rafael police Sgt. Scott Eberle said the bikes will help the team cover more ground, get up hills faster and chase down suspects who are also on bikes.

“Anything that can help with fatigue is always welcome,” Eberle said. He said the department plans to donate the standard bikes it had been using.

The new model is the Specialized Turbo X. It carries a retail price of $4,000, but Mike’s Bikes in San Rafael offered them to the police department at a discounted price of about $3,000 each.

“We’re a local company and we want to give back to local organizations,” said Tom Casson, general manager of the store. “It’s important for us to stay true to our roots.”

“Their existing bike fleet was getting worn out,” he added. “We’re seeing e-bikes pop up all over Marin.”

Casson, a San Rafael resident, said the battery-aided bikes weigh about 50 pounds and have a range of about 55 miles before the battery needs to be recharged. Without battery power, the bikes can be still pedaled as normal.

An internal presentation by San Rafael police Officer Anthony Scalercio, who led the effort to switch to the electric bikes, said they offer less strain on the rider, provide a stealthier approach and can be used in areas where a standard pedal bike would have trouble, like train tracks and open space.

The bill for the bikes came to $13,709.83, including five-year maintenance plans and tax, according to San Rafael police Lt. Alan Piombo. The department paid for the bikes through its equipment fund.