British Cycling Helps Emergency Services on Bikes
Source: British Cycling
News Posted: 16 June 2008
British Cycling has teamed up with newly-formed emergency services cycling group Public Safety Cycling Organisation (PSC), which gives support for people who cycle in the line of duty for public safety by providing education and training, networking, development and standardisation.
The development of the PSC has been driven forward by former BMX champion Tom Lynch, who came up with the idea of attending emergency ambulance calls by bicycle in 1997. In 2007 he received an MBE for his contribution to ambulance service cycling and to the sport of BMX.
The first London Ambulance Service Cycle Response Unit was founded by Tom in 2000. Since then, the concept of Emergency Services on Bicycles has since been adopted by ambulance and police services across the UK. This has greatly improved the quality of life for thousands of people around the UK by:
- Increasing peoples' chances of survival
- Providing a faster response for people in medical need in areas of heavy traffic congestion
- Enabling the streets to feel much safer through the visibility of high profile cycle mounted paramedics, community safety officers and police across the country.
It is expected that the PSC organisation will enable further support and development of the use of bicycles in the public sector, and help to introduce similar services across the country.
Commenting on the launch of the PSC Tom Lynch MBE said: "The creation of the PSC is a sign of the widespread acceptance emergency services responding to calls on bikes. The PSC will now be able to support existing staff and help to encourage and train more emergency services to carry out their duties on bikes."
British Cycling is providing administrative support for PSC membership and is also providing Everyday Cycling membership for each PSC member, ensuring that all PSC members have �10 million liability cover and legal advice/support for non-competitive cycling outside work. PSC members will also be able to join the online cycling community at www.everydaycycling.com. Here they can log mileage, chat with other users and access an extensive database of routes and rides.
British Cycling chief executive Peter King said: "The delivery of emergency services on bicycles has clearly demonstrated a positive impact on people's lives and local communities over the past decade. The creation of a Public Safety Cycling Organisation will serve to accelerate that impact over the coming decade.
Peter King added: "British Cycling's support will enable the PSC to establish itself more quickly as well as helping British Cycling to establish stronger relationships with the emergency services that play a critical role in the delivery of the sport of cycling in the UK."
PSC is also supported by the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA), Bikesquad, Bikepatrol, Transport for London and police, ambulance and rescue groups throughout the UK.
Share this article with your favourite social networking sites.