Paramedics in Guelph-Wellington are taking to two wheels to help provide quicker response times at crowded events.
Paramedics will use bicycles at a number of special events throughout the county this summer, making it easier to get to patients quicker.
"We decided to take it on for a couple of reasons. We attend a lot of events in
"We used to have an ambulance on site with two paramedics and we were looking for a better way to access patients in those densely populated areas. Bicycles are a good idea to get around those types of events."
The first event likely to see the new units is the Tour du Guelph charity bicycle event at the end of June. Others on the schedule include Canada Day celebrations at Riverside Park, Hillside Festival at Guelph Lake Conservation Area, University of Guelph Homecoming activities, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Ribfest.
Draper said 10 paramedics took a specialized bicycle course through the International Police Mountain Bike Association that teaches such things as riding in crowds, cycling with added weight, protecting the patient using the bicycle and other specific skills.
Each bike carries roughly 40 pounds of equipment, an airway kit, oxygen, medications, first aid kit, and an automatic external defibrillator (AED).
Ambulances would still be called to help transport patients that need it. The bicycles just help get that initial response on location as soon as possible, he said.
The paramedic service hopes to expand the program in the future.
"It's just another avenue to help augment our services," Draper said. "It's a fairly cost-effective way for us to do business and it definitely enables us to get to people a lot quicker."
