Latest news with #BloodBikes
RTÉ News
15-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Calls for Blood Bikes to be given access to bus lanes
Blood Bike volunteers are calling for the ability to use bus lanes and be exempted from road tolls under a new bill that will be debated in the Dáil. Blood Bikes assist the health service by transporting essential goods for patients, often while the patient is in the operating theatre. Sinn Féin TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh tabled an amendment to the Road Traffic and Roads Bill that would extend exemptions from road tolls and the right to use bus lanes, which currently apply to ambulances, to also cover Blood Bike services. Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Blood Bike volunteer, Michael Noonan, said that the current legislation slows down their work. "As it stands, gardaí have increased their high-profile policing, and they've doubled their fines in the last year on the use of bus lanes," he said. "While our vehicles are marked, and gardaí are quite good with us in that regard, we use vehicles for palliative care which are unmarked and that just creates delays and complications." Mr Noonan said Blood Bikes transport medication, scans and medical equipment. "An ambulance will transfer a patient, anything to do with that patient could be transferred by a bike. "It could be their scans, it could be their medication, it could be any form of critical information required, it could be medical equipment," he added. "We often move stuff where people could be in theatre, and they discover that they're short something and may be required to be got from another hospital." Mr Noonan described the work of Blood Bike volunteers as an "insurance policy for the HSE". "When a critical call comes in, we can react instantly to their calls and get what they want, and what we do is actually quite incredible and unknown." The Department of Transport said that it does not support the request for blood bikes to be given permission to use bus lanes. In a statement, the Department claimed that any addition to the categories of vehicles permitted to use the lanes would inevitably reduce their efficiency for performing their original purpose. However, Mr Noonan said that there are only six Blood Bike volunteers on duty a day in Dublin and argued that allowing for them to use bus lanes would "have no effect at all". "There are six vehicles moving around that could lose their license within half an hour, so the bottom line is very simple: the level of vehicles that are required is minimal," he said. Mr Noonan added: "300,000 a day go across the M50, so from that point of view, it would have no effect whatsoever; the bike doesn't hold up traffic in a bus lane, they're quite discrete."
BBC News
03-07-2025
- BBC News
NHS Blood Bike courier killed in Pembrokeshire crash
A motorcyclist who was carrying blood supplies for the NHS has died after being involved in a man in his 70s was riding a Blood Bikes Wales Honda motorbike that collided with a white Volkswagen van on the A478 between Glandy Cross and Blaenffos in Pembrokeshire at about 18:25 BST on Bikes Wales volunteers help the NHS by by delivering emergency blood, donor milk and medical equipment between Police said the rider died at the scene and the 56-year-old driver of the van was arrested on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and he remains in custody. The road was closed overnight for an investigation into the crash and re-opened at 06:45 on Thursday.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
'One-of-a-kind' motorbike ride to start at historic Somerset prison
Shepton Mallet Prison is set to be used as the starting point for a remarkable charity motorbike ride, writes Imogen Prewett. On Friday, June 6, Cruise4Crews will hit the road in support of YFW Blood Bikes. The event will begin at 10am outside Shepton Mallet Prison, renowned as the world's oldest and most haunted prison. A team of motorcyclists will gather at the iconic gates, ahead of their cross-country journey. Visitors and motorbike enthusiasts will have the chance to check out the impressive line-up of bikes – a perfect opportunity to admire the machines and chat with riders. However, the ride is just one part of the adventure. Upon arrival at Shrewsbury Prison, the riders will face a Night Behind Bars, a chilling overnight stay in prison, an attraction also available at Shepton Mallet Prison, before departing the following morning. To book your own Night Behind Bars at Shepton Mallet, visit "Cruise4Crews was started by a bunch of bikers who wanted to find ways to combine our love of motorcycling with raising money for charities," said one of the Cruise4Crews riders, Mike Matthews. "A few of us who worked together got chatting and began coming up with silly ideas and fun ways to make bike rides about more than just heading to the seaside for an ice cream or admiring our shiny bikes." "A plan was hatched to approach both Shepton Mallet Prison and Shrewsbury Prison about organising a ride-out from one to the other, complete with an overnight stay in a haunted prison. "We'd previously arranged a 'Ride and Stay' but then Covid hit, and sadly, we could no longer carry out this amazing charity ride." "Still, I didn't want to give up on such a unique way to raise much-needed funds for the incredible volunteers of Blood Bikes. "So I reached out again, and after much help and support from local companies and Cove Attractions, we're thrilled that this one-of-a-kind ride-out, Prison Bike, is finally going ahead!" A spokesperson for Cruise4Crews said there are still a few places left for those who would like to take part. If you would like to support the cause or join the ride, visit the Cruise4Crews Facebook page.
