The Mountain Bike as a Search and Rescue Tool
By Todd Rignel, King County (WA) Explorer SAR
Consider these scenarios: A mountain biker is overdue from an evening ride
along a river. Try as they might, your local 4x4 search and rescue group is
unable to access a newly gated logging road during a search. Finally, an injured
hiker lies three miles up a trail, the first part of which is an abandoned logging
road. These are all situations where search and rescue teams on mountain bikes
were able to quickly locate a lost or injured individual.
In the 1980s, to decrease the cost of getting transportation-equipped police
officers on the streets and to promote community policing, many police departments
turned to the mountain bike; a fat tired bicycle developed on the hills of California
(van der Plas, 1993). Observing its ability to quickly move through crowds and
down alleys, EMS and fire departments began utilizing bikes. By the mid 1990s,
most large police departments had a bike team, and EMS personnel were patrolling
large events on bikes, while being able to provide Advanced Life Support from
the equipment carried on two bikes.
Mountain bike use in search and rescue (SAR) has slowly been adopted from teams
around the nation. First, SAR teams observed police and EMS personnel on bikes,
and secondly, had call outs for missing bicyclists. This begged the question:
Why not use bikes during a search?
A bike team gives a SAR organization the ability to quickly cover ground where
other mechanized vehicles may not be able to go. In searches where a subject
is possibly mobile or responsive, and located on or near a trail that can be
rode by bike, a bike team can often locate a missing person or clues faster
than a foot team. Bike teams can also repeatedly cover a trail faster than a
team on foot. This is useful for containment purposes, and for subjects who
may be wandering in the search area.
Mountain Bike teams can also be used to resupply foot teams on extended searches,
to transport clues for verification and can expedite the response of advanced
medical personnel should a subject be located and need medical care.
The disadvantages of mountain bikes are simple-- as a SAR tool they are not
always useful. Obviously, a bike is going to be difficult to use on steep trails.
If a mountain bike searcher is not moving faster than a foot team, then the
bike is a useless hindrance. In many areas, mountain bikes can not easily travel
cross-country. While they may be able to navigate a meadow or the slick rocks
of Utah, mountain bikes have had little off trail use in the Pacific Northwest.
Moreover, mountain bike searchers can not carry as much gear as foot-searchers.
While a foot searcher can safely carry a 50 pound pack, the same pack on the
back of a mountain biker will slow down the rider and also increase the risk
of falling or getting snagged on a low hanging branch.
Mountain bikes are also more dangerous than walking. As with any SAR task, safety
must come first. A mountain bike searcher must not attempt any maneuver that
increases the likelihood of falling. Dismounting and carrying a bike over a
log or across a stream is better than risking a fall that will, at best, slow
a team down, and at worst, cause physical injury to a searcher or mechanical
injury to a bike.
Lastly, in the search environment, a bike searcher may produce a lower Probability
of Detection (POD), depending on the object being sought, the search area, and
the searcher. But, it may also increase POD because of the greater area that
can be covered in less time.
Equipment
All searchers who go into the field on bikes must be properly prepared for the
task. Table 1 lists the necessary equipment for a bike mounted searcher to have
in order to search safely, comfortably and effectively.
For riding, a daypack, already owned by many searchers, is one of two viable
options for carrying gear. These packs often have a capacity that meets, if
not exceeds, the space needed for personal and team gear. The downside to these
packs is that they are bulky on the back of a rider and can get caught on low
hanging obstacles.
Some riders also use high capacity fanny packs. Large fanny packs with a harness
system provide the capacity needed for essential equipment, are stable due to
the harness system and also ride low on a rider’s back reducing the bulkiness
and the chance of getting snagged.
Occasionally, riders choose to use saddlebags that sit on the rear axle of a
bike. These bags, although providing a high capacity, have a tendency to snag
while riding single track and are not easy to carry if a searcher must dismount
his or her bike and search by foot. It is not recommended that these be purchased
for searching, but riders who already own them have found saddle bags ideal
for storing extra gear while keeping crucial gear on their person.
Since searches often occur at night, bike lights or headlamps are needed to
illuminate the way. Inexpensive bike lights produced by companies such as Specialized?
and Cat Eyes?, are lightweight and have a good battery life, but are often inadequate
for searching a technical trail at night. Expensive headlights such as Niterider?
and Vista light? provide outstanding illumination of the trail, but are expensive,
heavy and have a short battery life.
For searchers looking for a low-cost option, an inexpensive headlight used in
conjunction with a good headlamp provides adequate light and allows the searcher
to search the area by turning his or her head, while still having a light on
the trail at all times.
Bike searchers have found several other pieces of equipment useful during a
search. A handlebar mounted map case can provide easy access to maps while riding.
For searchers who utilize GPS units, several manufacturers produce handlebar
GPS mounts for mountain bikes. Many search teams also mount cyclometers on the
handlebars of their bikes, giving them access to their speed and distance traveled.
Bike team members should also carry a tool kit while riding to perform any needed
repairs. Several companies manufacture tool kits that can easily be carried
on a bike frame. Tables 2 lists the tools that bike-team members should obtain
and carry with them.
Mountain biker searchers should be trained in basic bike repair so that they
can properly utilize the tools. Many bike shops offer classes on basic bike
repair for little to no cost. (REI, for example, offers free basic bike repair
classes at most of their retail locations.) By cultivating a relationship with
a local bike shop, a team may be able to convince a shop mechanic to come to
a team meeting and demonstrate repairs that can be done on the trail. Repairs
that bike-team members should know are listed in table 3.
Standards and training
Like any specialty SAR team, it is important that standards be in place so that
bike searchers are trained in not only bike repair, but how to search from a
bike and be safety conscious. Most teams require that prospective members complete
their basic SAR training, be knowledgeable in bike repair, possess the proper
equipment for riding and demonstrate proficiency on a bike. Specific requirements
for several teams are listed in table 4.
Searching with bikes requires little special skill, but a rider needs to juggle
the need for paying close attention to the trail, while still looking off to
the sides for the missing subject or a clue. This is often done by finding a
good speed where the bike searcher is moving faster than a foot team would,
yet he or she is riding safely and paying attention to the area off the trail.
Bike team members should be encouraged to practice this while riding recreationally.
With some practice, a rider can accomplish all three goals with ease. This will
provide bike teams with the safest ride possible, while providing for a decent
POD.
Searching while on a bike
Before assigning a task to a bike team, a search manager and/or bike team leader
needs to determine whether a trail is appropriate for a mountain bike team to
search. This depends on several factors: First, the steepness of the trail.
Again, if the bikers are not progressing faster than a foot team, the bike is
dead weight. Secondly, the fitness and experience of the searchers must be considered.
Third, the obstacles that may be present on a trail could significantly slow
a team down. Lastly, nighttime can make a trail that would be safe to ride by
day more dangerous. Again, the experience of the bike searchers, along with
their lighting equipment, should help a search manager and a bike team leader
decide if searching at night is appropriate for a mountain bike team.
Sazonov (1994) recommends that a bike team search in a “V” formation.
Using three searchers, the first rider concentrates only on the trail and calls
out major obstacles to the riders behind him. The second and third riders ride
next to each other while searching their respective sides of the trail. Since
many trails are not wide enough for this, searchers can ride in a line with
the second biker searching, say, left and the third searching right.
While searching on bike, it is also important that bike teams stop frequently
to conduct voice checks, check their maps and advise base camp of their progress.
Voice checks can be done while actively riding, but obviously will not be as
effective as stopping.
Mountain bikes are also a useful tool when responding to a rescue. Two to three
searchers can ride in part way, if not all the way, to the injured subject,
access his or her location and begin to provide medical care. The rest of the
evacuation team can hike in and assist with the carryout if needed. Obviously,
not every rescue team member can bike to the subject’s location, unless
they desire to leave their bikes behind and come back for them. During the carryout,
the bike-equipped members can assist with carrying the litter if their bikes
are handed off to members currently not carrying the subject out.
Bike SAR for the Incident Commander
An incident commander should become familiar with the role of a bike team in
SAR operations, and should verify that bike team members are properly trained.
Some ICs are hesitant to use bikes, especially at night, if they are unsure
of the rider’s ability. Following the guidelines outlined in this article
should help an IC determine if a bike is an appropriate tool for a mission.
Bike Patrols and event support
Some mountain bike SAR teams have started bike patrols in order to keep up the
skills of their members and assist local bikers. The idea for a mountain bike
patrol came from the International Association of Mountain Bikers who formed
the National Mountain Bike Patrol several years ago. Founded on the concept
of ski patrols, a bike patrol’s purpose is to inform local riders of safe
and environmentally friendly riding techniques, answer questions about the local
area, provide first aid and help with on-the-trail bike repairs. For the bike
SAR team, this can also help keep member’s bike handling skills up to
par, while helping them to get to know the local area. In the event that a bike
patrol already operates in the popular riding area of a SAR team’s jurisdiction,
the patrol can be used as a platform to recruit possible SAR team members and
as a group with whom newcomers can train.
Another way to keep mountain bike team members active is to assist with local
events. Some of these events include helping with mobile first-aid at a festival,
assisting with a charity ride or providing aid at a local mountain bike race.
The King County Explorer Search and Rescue team has provided assistance to a
bike ride that raises money for multiple sclerosis research every year. 600-800
riders participate in a ride over logging roads and single track. Members have
been able to test their distance riding skills in the 30-mile ride, along with
quickly being able to respond to bikers who have been injured. These rides are
also good publicity for bike teams as many potential members may be participating
along with local bike shops and media outlets.
Bike purchase and transportation
Many SAR teams chose to have their members purchase and utilize their own bikes.
Bike team members do not need the top of the line full suspension bike that
just came out. What they need is a reliable mountain bike in good repair. Of
course, having a lighter weight bike with front suspension (shocks on the front
fork) is convenient, but not mandatory.
Some SAR teams chose to purchase bikes or acquire them from the plethora of
unclaimed stolen bikes that many law enforcement agencies have. The advantages
of this is that an organization can always have a bike team available as long
as two searchers who have been mountain bike trained show up. The disadvantage
to this is the fact that bikes, like people, come in different sizes and adjustments.
A rider would have to have a bike that fit him or her and have to adjust it
before riding on an assignment. A unit would also have to transport these bikes
to a mission unless there were enough to assign to each member. While this is
not a problem for some units, for others it can present difficulty.
Bike team members and units also have to plan on how to transport their bikes
not just to a search base, but to the beginning of assignments. King Country
ESAR purchased several bike racks that bike team members bring with them to
a mission. These racks can then be removed from their personal vehicles and
places on a 4x4 search and rescue vehicle for transportation to a trailhead.
Funding
One method to help fund a mountain bike SAR team is to develop a relationship
with a bicycle retailer. Arkansas Explorer Search and Rescue formed a bond with
a local bike shop. This store provides them with free repair classes, repairs
member’s bikes for just the cost of parts and provides a 20% discount
off of the store’s cost for new bike purchases. The unit has placed the
bike shop’s logo on their webpage and command vehicle in order to provide
free advertising for the local shop.
Land Use and Environmental Impact Issues
Areas where SAR teams operate may not ordinarily allow mountain bikers on established
trails. This is frequently the case in National Parks and wilderness areas of
National Forests. When possible, a SAR team that utilizes bikes may want to
check with local land managers before riding in an area where bikes are prohibited.
If a SAR team is riding in area that is usually closed to those on bikes, it
is wise to wear some form of identifying clothing, especially if you are likely
to run into other mixed users while searching or training.
Bikes also have more of an environmental impact that foot searchers do, although
they have less impact that other SAR resources such as off-road vehicles. Fortunately,
several bike teams riding properly on a trail will usually no more than a little
damage, as the most serious damage is usually caused by a plethora of riders
on the same trail, and riders who do not follow environmental ethics. In light
of this, bike searchers should be aware of ways to reduce environmental damage,
such as avoiding riding through streams or off trail.
Forming a mountain bike search and rescue team takes time and energy, but is
usually very cost effective in terms of money and time when compared with establishing,
for example, a rope rescue or swiftwater rescue team. Mountain Bike SAR teams
have located numerous missing persons, and with the increased popularity of
mountain biking and other outdoor recreational pursuits, the need will only
increase. It is important that a SAR team balance the advantages and disadvantages
of using mountain bikes as part of its emergency repertoire.
Table 1
Recommended Bike SAR equipment
• ANSI approved helmet
• Gloves
• Riding Glasses
• Padded shorts/pants
• Daypack or fanny pack
• Normal 24 hour search gear
• Headlight and/or headlamp
• Flashing taillight
• Repair/tool kit
• Water bottles or hydration system
Table 2
Recommended tools that bike team members should carry
(from the National Mountain Bike Patrol)
• Multi-tool
• Chain Breaker
• Allen wrench
• Screwdrivers
• Small adjustable wrenches
• Spoke wrenches
• Tire levers
• Pump
Table 3
Repairs the bike team members should know
(from the National Mountain Bike Patrol)
• Flat tire repair
• Chain repair
• Derailleur adjustment
• Seat adjustment
• Brake adjustment
• Headset adjustment
• Basic spoke and wheel repair
Table 3
Team qualifications
King County Explorer Search and Rescue
• Basic unit member training
• Ownership of a mountain bike in good repair
• Proper safety and repair equipment
• Bike safety and repair knowledge (class/video)
• Demonstrated proficiency on a bike
El Dorado County Search and Rescue
• Own a bike and proper SAR equipment
• Be in shape to ride for a full day
• Demonstrate a safety check, proper slow riding techniques and proper
stopping techniques
• Jump over a ditch, curb and boulder
Northeast Search and Rescue
• “Call-out” qualified
• Capable of riding/maintaining a bike
• Knowledge of PA/NJ laws applicable to bikes
• Basic search procedure, radio communication and land navigation training
• Knowledge and demonstration of safe riding
Sazonov, G. (1994) Mountain Bikes in Search and Rescue, Southwest Virginia Mountain Rescue Group.
van der Plas, R. The Mountain Bike Book. Bicycle Books, inc. 1993
©2002 Advanced Rescue Technology; June/July 2002
