Bicyclists in one Colorado city won't have to leave their ride behind if they have an accident. Poudre Valley Hospital in Fort Collins has outfitted all 14 of its ambulances with bike racks so patient and bike can travel together to the hospital.
The move came after the hospital encountered increasing numbers of cyclists who had bicycle accidents or medical emergencies while riding.
Some people were reluctant to leave their bikes locked up behind at the scene, Steve Main, the hospital's emergency medical services director, told the Associated Press.
Plus, ambulance workers were spending too much time going back to unlock the bikes once patients were well enough to leave the hospital.
At the suggestion of bike paramedic Rob Collett, the hospital began adding bike racks to ambulances last year when they came in for regular maintenance and had them all equipped by year-end. According to the Coloradoan, which first reported the installations, the hospital spent about $5,000 to install the racks.
At Poudre Valley, bikes are placed with hospital security until patients can claim them.
Fort Collins is proud of its bike lanes and hosts a costumed bike parade sponsored by craft brewer New Belgium, which gives free bikes to its employees. The event attracts thousands of people each year.
“It's just a bike-crazy town,” Main said.
