TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. -- These officers aren't just out for a leisurely bike ride. They're learning how to use these sets of wheels as a law enforcement tool.

"We're going to prepare them to react to unforeseen obstacles, whether it be potholes in the road or maybe being cut off by a car," said Erik Merlin, Police Bike School Course Director.

Merlin said leaving police cars at the station is becoming more and more popular.

Jeremy Welling said he thinks officers look more intimidating in a police car, but he's not worried he won't be taken seriously on a bike.

"I'm not there to intimidate people, you know, I'm there to help, and I think you're more approachable when somebody's not intimidated by you," said Jeremy Welling, Syracuse University Police Officer.

"The community likes to approach the officer and finds it easier to approach an officer when they're on a bicycle or on foot patrol," said Merlin.

The bikes the officers use aren't that much different than those you'd find in a typical bike store, but many of them have additional features and with the push of a button, you can turn on flashing lights and even sound a siren.

They may not be able to travel as fast on a bike, but when it comes to enforcing the law, these police officers are no different from their car-riding colleagues and they're saving their departments money.

"Way to save gas for us, I mean, we're a small department, so it's easier for us to get around a lot quicker and stuff like that if we're on a bicycle," said Justin Carpenter, City of Norwich Police Officer.

If they complete the week-long course successfully, the officers will become certified bike officers by the state Criminal Justice Services-Bureau for Municipal Police.

The program also includes classroom instruction on topics such as vehicle and traffic law, bike maintenance and nutrition and fitness.