The nonprofit Phoenix Police Foundation has provided a grant to the Phoenix Police Department to purchase eight new mountain bikes for its Desert Horizon Precinct squad.

The bike squad in the Sunnyslope neighborhood provides the department a way to connect with the community, according to a release.

“The bike patrol officers are great ambassadors of the police department within the community, and they are an integral part of our success,” Desert Horizon Precinct Commander Brian Issitt said.

Using mountain bikes, officers can reach areas where patrol cars cannot, such as campuses and through highly congested areas.

“The bikes can help engagement between civilians and law enforcement since the officers are more approachable outside of a vehicle and the bikes can be a topic of conversation with the public,” the release stated.

The Phoenix Police Foundation allocates a portion of its general donations to “first needs” of the Phoenix Police Department, according to the release.

“The Phoenix Police Foundation is happy to support the operations of the Desert Horizon Precinct and the bike squad. Ensuring that the Phoenix Police Department has the resources to perform its duties to the city is one of the founding principles of the foundation,” said Tim Thomas, Phoenix Police Foundation president and CEO.