Denver Health’s paramedic division is introducing a new way to respond to downtown medical emergencies: bike medics. These paramedics, fully equipped to handle 911 emergencies, ride bicycles instead of traditional ambulances to provide rapid response in congested areas like the 16th Street Mall and Coors Field. The bike medics also rotate with four-wheeled ambulances to ensure familiarity with both vehicles and are essential for responding to medical calls in large venues and special events.
The bike medic program started in 1989 and has since become a vital part of Denver’s emergency response system. The fleet of bikes is made by Volcanic Bikes and is specially designed to carry the necessary equipment for patient care. Although some municipalities use e-bikes, Denver Health opts for traditional pedal bikes due to safety concerns in crowded areas.
These bike medics have already played crucial roles in saving lives, responding to events like cardiac arrests during parades and shootings at sporting celebrations. With an expanded presence on the 16th Street Mall, the bike medics aim to provide assistance for medical questions and alleviate certain types of 911 calls in the area. Their highly visible uniforms and quick response time help to increase security and provide resources for individuals in need.
Despite weather conditions, bike medics work 365 days a year, emphasizing their dedication to helping people in their time of need. As paramedic Paolo Siccardi puts it, the bike medics are in this job because they are “people people” who are committed to serving their community.
