Two-wheelers to the rescue

By Nick Perry

health reporter

Robert Forrest saw pedal power at work in the United States at football's giant Superbowl competition and decided the idea would go down well here at the America's Cup.

The St John ambulance officer from Glenfield has helped set up a team of 30 "pedalmedics" to patrol the Viaduct Harbour during weekends and racing peaks until March.

In two weeks of operation the cycling paramedics have already helped a patient with chest pains and another with a fractured ankle.

Mr Forrest says cycles can get through crowds more easily than an ambulance, slicing response times in the American Express NZ Cup Village from 10 minutes to two.

The four donated mountain bikes the volunteers use are lightweight and can easily travel down stairs and jump kerbs.

Each medic carries a radio and the bikes come equipped with a siren and may later be fitted with flashing lights.

Pannier bags hold oxygen supplies, a defibrillator, a resuscitation bag and other first-aid equipment.

Nineteen-year-old David Anderson is studying pharmacology at Auckland University and is fitting his volunteer work around exams.

"It's normally such a problem getting to people, but these bikes are brilliant.

"Seeing us around also reassures the public they will be okay if anything goes wrong."