Two-Wheeling It

Bike Types: Who's Using What?
     According to information from IPMBA, most units use multispeed mountain bikes, which are heavier than the average street bike, with wide tires and a more upright seating construction. IPMBA estimates the average purchase price at about $1,200, while maintenance on a properly maintained bike runs to around $300 per year. Many go a step further and purchase bikes specifically designed for public-safety/EMS teams. Often called "police series," these are a heavy-duty version weighing a bit more than the recreational variety. Public-safety grade bikes are not generally available at your neighborhood sporting goods store or bicycle shop, but they are made by several manufacturers, including Trek, Cannondale, Smith & Wesson, Fuji, Raleigh and others.

     IPMBA's Becker recommends considering the specially designed public-safety models for two reasons: Many of the manufacturers equip the bikes with the accessories that are needed for EMS use, and the bikes are a little heavier and more heavy-duty than those required for recreational riding. "It has to be strong, sturdy and produced by a reputable manufacturer," she says. "Don't go to your local 'big-box' store and buy a cheap, heavy bike. It will be uncomfortable and probably won't stand up to the kind of abuse the EMS bikes get. The medics are carrying heavy equipment and often riding in challenging conditions--negotiating curbs, stairs, potholes and other things that jar a bicycle. There are also times when a bike falls over, although they're typically equipped with a rear-mount kickstand, which is more stable."

     Bicycles and other two-wheeled vehicles are becoming increasingly prevalent in the EMS industry, helping agencies provide quick care in crowded settings like fairs, festivals and sporting events. Maureen Becker, executive director of the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA), which has a fast-growing EMS division, says that "As of 2002, 52% of EMS agencies in the nation's largest 200 cities were [reportedly] using bikes." Additionally, she says, "estimating from IPMBA membership, approximately 300 bike medic teams across the country are being deployed in a variety of circumstances."

     IPMBA, whose annual conference was held May 6-13 this year in Dayton, OH, is the preeminent trainer of both police and EMS cyclists. IPMBA-certified cyclist instructors have trained most, if not all, of this country's bike medics, as well as the United Kingdom's famed London Ambulance Service (LAS) bike medics. The growth of the bike medic niche might be reflected by next year's conference host, East Baton Rouge Parish EMS in Louisiana, the first emergency medical service to host the conference, says Tom Harris, NREMT-P, public service coordinator for the municipal third service.

     "It's predominantly hosted by large police departments," says Harris. "I'm flattered to be allowed the opportunity to even bid on it, let alone get it."

     The 24-medic bike team in East Baton Rouge Parish EMS, in service since 1995, is an advanced life support team that works the bikes as an extra detail. "We utilize our bike medics for all large special events," he says. "These vary throughout the year, but I will have a bike team out every week. Louisiana State University typically gets over 100,000 people here for a home football game, so it gets very crowded and we can't hardly get a vehicle down the streets at all, so we use the bikes for initial first response. They're meant to stand alone for 10 minutes in a cardiac arrest situation."

     A similar scenario is echoed by the leaders of other bike teams. As metropolitan areas and public events get more crowded, and people's expectations for emergency response get higher, it makes sense to deploy bikes.