First established in 2000, our Cycle Response Unit navigates through narrow streets and heavy traffic to reach patients quickly in areas such as parks, shopping centres and pedestrian areas. They start life-saving treatment while an ambulance is on the way.
Our Cycle Response Unit is based at stations in central London and have a base at Heathrow Airport.
Specialist training, bikes and uniform
All cycle responders are qualified blue light drivers and have extensive experience of working on ambulances and as solo responders. They pass an intensive cycle training course to get onto the team.
On shift, our responders wear specialist cycle clothing to ensure they can work throughout the year in all weather, which includes MIPS cycle helmets, gloves and protective glasses.
The team also wear service issue body armour and a body worn video camera. Our response bikes have blue lights and high visibility retroreflective livery.
Medical equipment
Our cycle responders carry similar equipment to double-crewed ambulances and solo responders on motorcycles or fast-response cars.
This includes equipment for pain relief and oxygen supply, a defibrillator, and kit for monitoring blood pressure, body temperature and heart rate.
Facts about the Cycle Response Unit:
- Cycle responders attend nearly 17,000 calls a year.
- They resolve over 50 per cent of all incidents at the scene.
- Their average response time to calls is six minutes.
- They can cycle 20-30 miles in a single 10 – 12-hour shift.
