Alf started up Helibikes just over three years ago.  As a senior pilot of the Chiltern Air Ambulance which covers an area from Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, and Oxfordshire, he became frustrated by the number of bike accidents that could have been easily avoided but had resulted in serious injuries.

All aviation accidents are seriously investigated with the results of the investigations (which may include equipment problems, component failure, etc) being fed back to the pilots, warts and all, allowing everyone to learn from mistakes.  Helibikes seeks to do a similar thing for all road users (not just bikes).  With his experience of motorcycle accidents whilst working on the Air Ambulances, Alf provides first hand experience into why accidents occur, where they happen, what types of injuries can be sustained, how protection works and what are the limitations, and how accidents can be avoided.

Helibikes started as a local endeavour in the Thames Valley and had a limited audience, so it started using multiple media methods (website, YouTube videos, Facefook, etc) and has now acquired a worldwide audience which is still growing.  Helibikes bridges the gap between those who have taken no further training and advanced training groups.  It encourages all to do further training.

Alf told us that modern protective equipment is still not enough to protect riders.  Some equipment could, for example, stop your leg being torn off, but will not prevent it being broken.

There is usually a spike in accidents from March/April to June but this then levels off until October, when it drops further. One third of bike accidents can be due to the rider's fault, one third 50-50%  and one third have a high contribution from car drivers. 95% of bike accidents could be avoided through further training.  Dehydration and not eating can be a large contributory factor to accidents in the summer; lower sugar levels can reduce awareness levels.  

Alf felt that initial instruction mainly teaches the mechanics of driving/riding, but not awareness of defensive driving/riding etc. There needs to be more emphasis on this mentality when using the roads.

Alf introduced the Crash Card Scheme.  This scheme encourages motorcyclists to complete Crash Cards with information that may be of use to the emergency services in the event of a collision.  The Crash Cards should be placed inside the lining of the rider's helmet and a green dot sticker on the right hand side of the helmet.  20,000 of these cards had been distributed in two years but so far a rider carrying a card has not been picked up.  This may be because those carrying the cards were more aware of their riding.  Alf felt that the written cards were the best solution, and were preferable to other means, e.g. electronic identification is not reliable, mobile phones may be locked or broken, USB sticks are not allowed to be used in hospitals due to possible viruses and barcodes/QR codes are available and are free, but the Ambulance Service unlikely to remember to read them.

It was a constant challenge to get medics to look for cards, but this was being promoted regularly.  The Chilton and Thames Valley Air Ambulance flies 1,000 – 1,200 missions a year, and they maybe average two bike accidents a week.  A road ambulance may attend one a year.

Alf gave the following advice for dealing with an emergency:

1. Never take someone’s helmet off unless unconscious or not breathing.
2. Make environment safe.
3. Speak to injured person if possible.
4. Call Ambulance.
5. Keep casualties calm, keep them still, but do not restrain them.  Injuries will limit their movement.  Act as a councillor and provide reassurance. 
6. If there is blood loss look for injury.  It could be hidden in leathers and may leak from sleeves of trouser legs.
7. Speak to Ambulance Service for advice.
8. Never put a casualty in your car. It has been known that for certain injuries the Fire Service may have to remove the top of your car!

All the information is available on the helibikes website, www.helibikes.co.uk.  There are also links to information on Facebook, and YouTube.

Nick Edwards