It never occurred to me that bicycles could be used in life-threatening situations.  However, according to an article in medicalnewstoday.com, they are not only useful, but actually better suited than conventional ambulances in some conditions.

“Cycle responders, bike medics, bike ambulances, as they are variously called in different parts of the world, are fit, professional, medically trained personnel who share one thing in common: they respond to emergencies by cycling to them on bikes carrying essential equipment, providing life-saving medical aid in situations that more conventional emergency vehicles cannot reach.

Tom Lynch, founder of London’s Cycle Response Unit and former British BMX champion, said that more patients are receiving the emergency care they need more quickly because cycle responders can access areas of the capital that ambulances cannot reach, such as pedestrianized zones and shopping malls.

Each cycle responder has a specialized Rockhopper aluminium-framed mountain bike with puncture and bullet-proof tires. They carry the same equipment as a regular four-wheel ambulance minus the stretcher.

In the United States, cycle responders are more often referred to as EMS (emergency medical service) bikers, and classed as part of emergency and patrol cycling services that also include police, search and rescue, and in some cases, fire.

They were most likely first deployed during special events as an alternative way to reach casualties to walking. They quickly proved to be faster and more effective at getting through crowds and traffic than conventional emergency response vehicles.

People also enjoy the “green” aspect of the bike medic scheme, and have a sense that something is being done to protect the environment and save fuel.”

I didn’t even realize there was such a thing as a bike medic.  While to me this conjures up Bay Watchesque images of über fit men and women dashing around on their bikes to the strains of an uplifting pop song as they save the rest of us mere mortals from the perils of our own self-destruction, I am sure in actuality they are a much more down to earth group.  I like fact that we are finding that going back to something which seems simpler is actually better in certain circumstances.