Motorcycle ambulances are a type of emergency vehicle which either carries a solo paramedic or first responder to a patient; or is used with a trailer or sidecar for transporting patients. Because of its size and performance, a motorcycle ambulance is able to respond to a medical emergency much faster than a car or van in heavy traffic, which can increase survival rates for patients suffering cardiac arrest.
History
Motorcycle ambulances were used during World War I by the British, French and Americans. At the time the advantages of light weight, speed, and mobility over larger vehicles was cited as the motive for the use of sidecar rigs in this role. The US version had two stretchers arranged one on top of the other. The French ambulance used a sidecar that held a single patient, who could either lie down or sit up.
The British Red Cross Society used an 8 bhp (6 kW) NUT motorcycle with a double decker sidecar like the US version. During testing it needed only a 9 ft (2.7 m) turning area, versus 35 ft (11 m) for a motor car ambulance, and had a lower fuel consumption of 55â€"65 mpgâ€'US (4.3â€"3.6 L/100 km), compared with 12â€"17 mpgâ€'US (20â€"14 L/100 km) for car ambulances. Due to lighter weight they were said to be less likely to get stuck and could be pushed out more easily than a large vehicle.
Sidecar ambulances were used in Redondo Beach, California in 1915, stationed at a bath house at a beach resort to reach drowning victims quickly. Prior to using the motorcycle, life guards had to run or row up to several miles along the beach to respond to calls. The Knightsbridge Animal Hospital and Institute, London, was using a sidecar ambulance to transport dogs in 1912, and this mode was still in use in 1937 by the Maryland Humane Society.
Worldwide motorcycle ambulances
Australia
New South Wales
In 1993 the Ambulance Service of New South Wales was the first ambulance service in Australia to introduce "Motorcycle Rapid Response Team" crewed with an Intensive care or Mobile intensive care ambulance paramedic. Two BMW K100RT motorcycles were borrowed from the New South Wales Police Force Highway Patrol with riders undertaking the police motorcycle course. At present there are two motorcycle rapid response crews covering the Sydney CBD at any one time utilising Yamaha FJR1300 motorcycles.
With Sydney's narrow streets, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, numerous parklands, and areas difficult to access in a conventional ambulance the "rapid responder" motorcycles are able to arrive on scene and begin critical treatment of patients several minutes before the arrival of a conventional ambulance whilst still carrying all the essential equipment of an ambulance. It takes an average six minutes for a motorcycle rapid response paramedic to reach an emergency situation in the CBD, compared to 12 minutes for ambulances proving an invaluable resource. At present there are two motorcycle rapid response crews covering the Sydney CBD at any one time.
Victoria
In 2012 Ambulance Victoria introduced the 'Motorcycle Paramedic Unit' equipped with six motorcycle paramedics for rapid response to emergencies. Different types of motorcycles have been trialed including the initial roll out of Piaggio 500cc which has now been replaced with the BMW F700GS. The unit operates during peak traffic and during major events and festivals, within Melbourne's inner metro area.
South Australia
In South Australia, there are paramedics who ride on a cycle or motorcycle; they complement the regular ambulances and are used in areas which might have less space to accommodate a bigger vehicle.
Brazil
Since 2000, the São Paulo Fire Department has operated Honda motorcycle ambulances (Portuguese: Motos Operacionais de Bombeiros, known as "MOBs") in a first responder role, to offset the influence of traffic on the response times of traditional ambulances. The motorcycles carry a variety of emergency care equipment (including basic extrication, technical rescue, and firefighting gear) and are always deployed in two-man teams, with the lead vehicle carrying a first aid kit and intravenous fluids and the rear vehicle carrying more advanced equipment, including an automated external defibrillator, suction devices, and emergency delivery kits.
Fire departments in other states, such as Minas Gerais, Mato Grosso do Sul and Pernambuco, have also adopted motorcycle ambulances since 2008. In August 2008, SAMU, the federal emergency medical services, purchased 400 motorcycle ambulances to be deployed nationwide between December 2008 and 2009.
Germany
The Bavarian Red Cross has operated motorcycle ambulances since 1983. As of 2011 they report a fleet of 25 motorcycles and 100 volunteer paramedics.
Hong Kong
According to the book Rescue Mission which is written by an Emergency Medical Assistant of Hong Kong Fire Services Department, the H.K.F.S.D. established the first motorcycle programme in 1982. At first, there are only two motorcycles stationed in Morrison Hill Ambulance Depot. In 1986, the H.K.F.S.D. found that motorcycles are useful for responding to medical calls, so they bought seven more motorcycles in 1987. In 1989, the motorcycle team had 15 motorcycles and stationed in several ambulance depots. Today, the H.K.F.S.D. has 35 motorcycles.
Auxiliary Medical Service, another government-owned service, also has motorcycles.
India
Motorbike ambulance launched in Bengaluru India on April 16, 2015. Volunteer ambulance operator Karimul Haque received the Padma Shri award in 2017. Ambulances on a motorcycle platform have also been launched in multiple other states of India such as Chattisgarh , Maharashtra and Haryana. These ambulances have provided emergency health services from ferrying pregnant women to a Primary Health Center to attending to First Aid in case of accidents .
Japan
In some areas of Japan, Japanese fire departments use off-road motorcycles as emergency vehicles. They are useful for negotiating the small streets and heavy traffic in the large urban areas of Japanese cities. Having off-road motorcycles helps in responding to the mountain hills that are around a lot of cities. Some departments would likely have their crews in teams of two or three motorcycles. One of the motorcycles carries a first aid kit and/or automated external defibrillator. The other motorcycles in this team may carry fire fighting and rescue equipment. Most crews are firefighters with training in first responder, First Aid, and/or paramedic. Each crew member wears a lightweight fire suit and a fire fighting motorcycle helmet. A lot of these motorcycles have their own radio, cargo bays, lights and sirens.
Kenya
Kenya launched her first Paramedic Rider in May 2015 during the Mater Heart Run. This was done by Avenue Rescue Services Ltd, a member of the Avenue Group of Healthcare Providers. Avenue Rescue Services launced 2 motocycles manned by 4 riders. The bikes are used as first responder during the busy traffic hours and also for event coverage. The Standard chattered International Marathon was the seco d major event to be covered by the ParaRiders. The bikes are equioed to handle most nedical and surgical emergencies.
As part of the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID) wider £50 million country programme (2009), they are putting in place among other things a new motorcycle ambulance service. The Magunga's Health Centre now operates a motorcycle (sidecar) ambulance service.
Sarah Brown, Global Patron of the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood said:
Malawi
They have been used in remote rural areas in Malawi as a means to improve access to obstetric health care facilities for women in labor or needing prenatal care. Lightweight off-road motorcycles, equipped with a sidecar holding a stretcher for the patient, have been found to be an efficient supplement, but not replacement for, 4-wheel drive SUV ambulances. Purchase prices and operating costs have been found to be a fraction of a four-wheeled vehicle, and the sidecar rigs have been found to be less likely to be misused by diverting them for non-healthcare purposes. The lighter sidecar rigs are better able to cope with poor roads and areas that become impassable to heavier cars and trucks during the rainy season. Disadvantages include the reluctance of drivers to travel at night in some cases, and the inability to carry more than one patient at a time.
The report concluded that:
Uganda
In the Mbale town and district in Uganda, the Partnerships Overseas Networking Trust (PONT), initiated the deployment of motorcycle ambulances in December 2010.
The motorcycle ambulance work started with 5 eRanger Motorbike Ambulances. These vehicles are in use 24/7 and are providing life saving emergency transport to maternity emergencies and to the ill and injured.
32 eRanger Motorbike ambulances which, were funded in part by Rotary Clubs, have now been deployed in Mbale.
In March 2014, Pulse Village Transport in Kampala began manufacturing and distributing their product, the Village Ambulance, throughout Uganda. Their Village Ambulance is a custom-built trailer that can easily attach to virtually any motorcycle or bicycle and is designed for rough terrain and the hard to reach places. It was created to meet the medical transportation needs of rural communities and refugee settlements, with a primary focus on maternal/child health. As of November 2014, they had distributed Village Ambulances to communities in over 25 districts of Uganda.
Poland
In some cities of Poland, Polish emergency units use motorcycles as emergency vehicles. They are useful as they are faster than car/truck in heavy traffic in the citycenters. The motorcycles carries usually one or two persons, a first aid kit and automated external defibrillator. The motorcycles are equipped with radio, cargo bags, lights and sirens. One of the most active non-profit organisation, using motorcycles as ambulance in capitol of Poland, is motorcycling foundation called Fundacja Jednym Åšladem. Members of foundation are first responder, and all of them support Official Polish Rescue System.
Serbia
The Emergency Medical Service in Belgrade introduced a Suzuki V-Strom 650 in 2011, with the crew consisting of a motocyclist and a doctor. Panniers and a top-box contain equipment for CPR, bandaging, anti-shock therapy, paramedic and other equipment.
South Africa
The South African National Roads Agency through ER24 EMS operates Motorcycle Medical Response Units, these units use a Suzuki V-Strom 650 staffed and equipped at an Intermediate Life Support level to respond on the E-Toll freeway and stabilize patients while ambulances make their way through traffic.
Southern Sudan
In March 2009, through a partnership between UNICEF and the Government of Southern Sudan, a lifeline was extended to some pregnant women with the introduction of five motorcycle ambulances in the state of Eastern Equatoria.
The UNICEF Annual Report 2009 concluded that:
Since the start of the UNICEF pilot study additional motorcycle ambulances have been delivered to the region using a Not On Our Watch Awards Grant to U.S. Fund for UNICEF with the aim of Reducing Maternal Mortality Rates in Southern Sudan.
United Kingdom
Motorcycles are used as rapid response vehicles by NHS emergency medical services and St John Ambulance in the United Kingdom.
St John Ambulance Wales have introduced three motorbikes after a successful trial. With a Honda Transalp based in Newtown, a BMW R1200RT based in the centre of Cardiff, along with a BMW F650 which covers the South Wales Area. The bikes will be used primarily as an initial response at road races, cycle races and other major events where it would be difficult to move ambulances through crowds. The bikes have been used at the Cardiff Half Marathon, the 2010 Tour of Britain Cycle Race, the Ryder Cup.
United States
Daytona Beach Fire Rescue in Florida has been using pairs of motorcycles since 1994 to help with response times during heavy congestion surrounding major events in the Daytona Beach area. They currently operate two Harley Davidson FLHPI Road King motorcycles. Miami-Dade County, also in Florida used motorcycles for faster response times after a 2004 pilot program. They had significant success, but the program was cut in 2008 due to budget problems. The program is credited with cutting response times in half. Austin-Travis County EMS of Austin, Texas is using a fleet of four BMW G650 X-Ps to supplement the standard ambulance response. As of 2011 the motorcycles were deployed only for special events and times of unusually high traffic congestion, but the county planned to make them a regular system resource.
Zambia
In 2009, a social enterprise called Zambikes designed one of the first models of the ambulance trailer called the "Zambulance." The Zambulance is a locally built ambulance trailer that can be pulled behind any bicycle or motorcycle. Zambikes' vision for the Zambulance is to connect rural African villages to critical medical treatment. Since 2009, they have distributed units throughout Zambia and also exported to Malawi.
Manufacturers
Honda, BMW, and Yamaha motorcycles are common models used in many countries and departments. A number of manufacturers produce sidecars for motorcycles and scooters. Active motorcycle ambulance manufacturers include The Ranger Production Company, and Riders for Health, a charity which manufactures the Uhuru in Zimbabwe, and Zambikes in Zambia and Pulse, a social enterprise which manufactures the Village Ambulance in Uganda.
See also
- Ambulance emergency response vehicle
- Blood bike
- Fire bike
- Police motorcycle
- Cycle responder
References
External links
- The fastest ambulance? A motorcycle (Eli Beer), a TED talk
- A day in pictures: Melbourne's motorcycle paramedics, Gizmag
