MINNEAPOLIS — Planning on speeding in Minneapolis in the near future? Don't be surprised if you get tagged by an officer driving a spanking new Harley, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune newspaper. The Minneapolis police department hasn’t used motorcycles for traffic enforcement in more than 50 years. Within two weeks, officers will be trained to ride 11 Electra Glide Classics leased from Harley-Davidson for $1 per bike. The department does have to pay a one-time equipment and installation fee of about $25,000. Chief Bill McManus said he was surprised a department the size of Minneapolis didn't have cycles for patrolling. He quickly signed off on the idea, suggested by several officers two months ago. The cycles are a good tool for traffic enforcement and patrolling neighborhoods, and they give the department great visibility at informal and ceremonial events, he said. "It certainly adds pride to the department, and the community seems to like them," McManus said. "There is a one-time cost, but the benefits overall will make up for those costs." Three motorcycles will be assigned to the department's traffic unit, one to the public housing unit, and the rest between the five precincts, said Lt. Larry Doyle, project coordinator. The cycles’ use will focus on traffic stops rather than 911 calls, but he has already received requests to work the Aquatennial, the opening day of light rail, and a Vikings event. Twelve officers underwent a two-week training course taught by St. Paul and Minneapolis Park Police The training ranged from formation riding to specific skills an officer might need on the job, such as driving up on a sidewalk, Doyle said. Because of their small size and maneuverability, motorcycles can be more effective than squad cars during certain calls and easier to conceal for traffic details, he added. Minneapolis, St. Paul, Eagan, Edina, and Minneapolis park police are a few of the thousands of law enforcement agencies that have taken advantage of Harley-Davidson's $1 lease program. After a year, the motorcycles are returned to the dealership and replaced with new ones, said Jeffrey Gilchrist of Faribault Harley-Davidson, the firm that supplied the bikes. The model used by Minneapolis costs about $17,000 each, he said.