A cycle responder is a medically trained responder, such as a paramedic or first aider that uses a bicycle to respond to a medical emergency.[1] They are used by professional ambulance services to respond to emergency calls and also by private and voluntary providers of medical cover at events.
Cycle responders are provided in order to provide fast, effective medical assistance to patients in areas in which a traditional road ambulance or response car would have a delayed response time, and where responders on foot may not be fast enough, or cannot provide sufficient cover over an area.
This means that they are primarily deployed in areas of high traffic congestion, such as city centres, with large cities such as London and Manchester making extensive use of them.[2][3][4][5] They are also used in specialist applications such as inside large shopping precincts and airport terminals,[6] and for covering first aid at events.
- ^ "The bicycle ambulance". NHS Choices. 2010-05-10. Retrieved 2011-01-03.
- ^ "Who will treat you: Cycle responders". London Ambulance Service. Archived from the original on 2016-04-02.
- ^ "Two-wheeled medics cover more ground in the capital" (Press release). London Ambulance Service. 11 February 2008. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ^ "Square-Mile cycle paramedics become the new City-Slickers" (Press release). London Ambulance Service. 14 August 2006. Archived from the original on 3 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
- ^ "Cycle response unit" (PDF). North West Ambulance Service. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 September 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2016.
- ^ Robinson, Gerard. "Treating travellers in the terminal". International Police Mountain Bike Association. Archived from the original on 2010-09-26.