Category: AMBULANCE

Here is a London Ambulance bike with sponsorship by Openhouse.

This is the first ambulance cycle in the UK. It was ridden by London Ambulance’s Tom Lynch in a trial during the summer of 2000. The cycles used have evolved greatly from this starting point and units have sprung up all over the country.

In August 2006, a two-month trial began using cycles to respond to 999 calls in The City area of London. This follows from the success of established units in the West End and Heathrow. Here are two of the four medics with their bikes.



… As an emergency call comes in by mobile ‘phone from the control room, one medic makes a quick note of the details and then checks the route on the map.



… Both the paramedic and technician then head off to take the fastest route to the patient, cutting through traffic and side streets.

Here is a paramedic cyclist practicing riding down steps with a heavy load on the rear of the bike.



And the same person practicing riding up steps! The key is to maintain forward motion by approaching at speed, pulling the handlebars up and continuing to pedal up the steps. Spotters on the steps are ready to lend a hand if the rider can’t make it to the top.

This St. John Ambulance cycle response unit is used in London to reach patients in areas that are not easily accessible by traditional road vehicles.

This is Pat Andrews, a cycle response unit paramedic with London Ambulance Service. Behind him are the famous London landmarks of Nelson’s Column in Trafalgar Square and Big Ben.



A closer look at the bikes used by the LAS medics. Notice the large yellow box on the back (with removable bags and oxygen cylinder) and the small bags on the front.

This is the equipment used by the London Ambulance Service’s skateboard response unit (which is part of the cycle unit). The photo shows the ambulance back-pack with essential emergency care equipment, as well as the protective equipment worn by the skater. The board is in European-standard ambulance yellow with LAS wording, crest and NHS logo.



The skateboard and equipment in use. Following on from the success of the cycle unit, a trial of responding to emergencies in inaccessible areas by skateboard was started. The top side of the skateboard is not liveried due to the high-grip surface.



Another view of the skateboard in use, being ridden by an emergency medical technician. A more traditional ambulance can be seen in the background. The information concerning this venture was released to the press on 1 April 2004, and yes it was an elaborate April fool!

Heathrow airport was only the second in the world to have an ambulance cycle unit (Vancouver was first). Here EMT Gerard Robinson and Duty Station Officer Alan Payne switch on their blue flashing lights inside the terminal for press photos. The cycle unit and this press call were covered by BBC’s ‘Airport’ television programme.



The same two ambulance cyclists cycle past the tails of British Airways planes. It is a big advantage to be able to respond to medical emergencies at speed both inside and outside the buildings.

Paramedic Neil Roberts on the TENYAS Life Cycle takes a look around.

A group of London Ambulance Service cyclists listen to words of wisdom from veteran ambulance service cyclist and instructor Mark Inman.

Here a LAS cycle response unit is joined by a very similar St. John Ambulance version.

This photo shows two West Midlands St. John cycle responders being briefed at a large outdoor event.



The same cycle team also meet up with some colleagues in a Challenger 4X4.

This picture shows two flashing blue lights and a flashing ambulance sign on the rear of a London ambulance bike. What is interesting is the fact that they are paper thin and are made of material. They run on a separate small pack of batteries and can run continuously for weeks.



A similar pannier box can be seen on the back of this St John Ambulance London District Cycle Response unit.

Here is EMT Kate Walker on a training course before becoming a fully fledged TENYAS life-cycle rider and emergency responder.

This black Smith & Wesson paramedic cycle is liveried as London Ambulance Service, but is actually a sample in use at a display of medical equipment.

Here is another St. John ambulance cycle. It has a large oxygen cylinder placed horizontally behind the seat, and two further panniers which include an AED (automated external defibrillator).

Here is a ‘Medicman’ cycle unit that is used to provide cover at large outdoor events. ‘Medicman’ is a private company that provides medical cover and training.

Tees, East and North Yorkshire Ambulance Service’s Life-Cycle team expanded in June 2004 with the introduction of two more reserve riders. In the centre is Technician Kate Walker who is the first female ambulance cyclist outside of London. She is joined on the right by Technician Neil Green. The extra manpower allows cover to be maintained 12 hours per day, every day of the year in York city centre. On the left of the picture is founding Life-Cycle paramedic Mark Inman.

Ian Gregory, a Dorset Ambulance Service paramedic, on a training course prior to the launch of a two-paramedic cycling ambulance service unit. They will respond to emergencies in Bournemouth town centre and along the sea front.

In April 2004 one TENYAS life-cycle was equipped with a large high-visibility yellow pannier in the same style as LAS’s cycles (see below). The pannier box is embroided with the life-cycle logo and has large ‘ambulance’ signs on all sides. It has reflective striping to the rear and a clear map case on the top flap.



This photograph shows the two packs of medical equipment that slide out of the pannier box, along with the oxygen cylinder. This revised design means that the cycle is highly visible whether the medical equipment is in use or not.

This photo shows London Ambulance Service paramedic Sean Clarke on a emergency cyclists training course in York.



The rear view of colleague Claire Tinker’s ambulance cycle. Notice the ‘pizza delivery box’ style pannier, the map case built into the top and her halo!

TENYAS paramedic Mark Inman practices heavy braking in response to a shout from instructor Monte May.

This is one of St. John Ambulance’s medi-bikes. Operated by the Halifax & Brighouse division, they are recognised as the first SJA cycle response team in the UK.



A wider view of the bike and rider showing the blue lights, white lights, siren and panniers

In August 2003 the TENYAS life-cycle team was expanded from one to four paramedics. For the previous two-and-a-half years, one paramedic has been working eight hours per day, five days per week. With the additional man-power, the unit will operate for twelve hours per day, seven days per week. Pictured (from left to right) are Mark Inman, Martin Dodd, Neil Roberts and Andy Church.



The re-liveried (August 2003) third life-cycle.

TENYAS paramedic Paul Brown carefully negotiates a pile of wooden pallets as part of a demonstration of emergency service cyclist’s skills.

TENYAS’s life-cycle with the historic Clifford’s Tower in the background.

This photo shows Matt Emmerson and two colleagues with a Surrey St John Ambulance cycle, used on first aid duties.



A close up shot of the mountain bike, complete with liveried panniers.



An even further close-up look at the interesting blue flashing lights fitted to the handlebars, consisting of two matrices of LEDs.

This is one of London Ambulance Service’s cycle response units. The large yellow pannier pack opens to allow two bags of medical equipment to be removed and carried to the patient. Notice the map pocket integrated into the lid. The LAS cycle unit concentrates on attending category B and C calls in place of an ambulance.