BINGHAMTON, N.Y. – A $25,000 state grant will expand the police bike program in Binghamton.

The money allows new patrol bikes to be purchased along with training classes.

Binghamton Police will increase their community outreach detail from two to four officers.

Officers will be dedicated to neighborhood patrols and trouble areas that police don't typically have time to get to.

One current patrolman says it's much easier to build community relationships while riding, rather than driving throughout the city.

"You see a patrol car going down the street, there's the windows, there's that door between you and the people. When you're on a bike, you're moving a lot slower. You move a lot slower, you're more visible," said Michael Karderinis, Binghamton Police Department patrolman.

The city also applied for an additional US Department of Justice grant to add two additional officers in 2018.