Bicycle ambulance
Practical Action
1. Introduction
Rural parts of Terai have no access to public transport and to own a personal vehicle is not
possible because of their poor economic status. Thus, local people highly value the alternative
emergency transport services. Bicycle Ambulance is one of those alternative transport services
which has made it possible to reach the patients to the nearest health post on time.
Bicycle ambulance has been considered highly useful
in the plain/ rural areas of terai because it can be
privately operated by local community. Its importance
has further increased because this ambulance can be
used even at the time of frequently occurring strikes.
This cycle has space enough to carry 2 people. A
shock absorber is fitted in the cycle to make the ride
as much comfortable as possible for the patient. The
trolley and bicycle is attached to each other with the
use of clamp system. This trolley can be handled
easily even in the turnings due to the presence of Ball
joint in the clamp. An ambulance cover is also fixed to
guard them from sun, rain and storm. As the
Ambulance cover is attached by the rebating, it can be
easily opened and closed as per the need.
The following are the required equipments to
construct a bicycle ambulance:
Wheel
Braking system
Shock absorber
Clamp system
Lower frame
Upper frame
Knot bolt and other equipments
All the essential equipments for bicycle ambulance are easily available in the local market. It has
added the importance taking into consideration its use in the internal roads and rural villages of
Terai area.
2. Why Bicycle Ambulance?
Following are the benefits from the Bicycle Ambulance:
It is a simple alternative scheme for the carrying the patients to and from the nearest health
post.
When considering the investment, management and operation of this ambulance, it is very
cheap which increases the possibility to be used in a private manner as well.
Patients can be taken to the health posts even at the time of strikes without any kind
disturbances.
It is accessible to the people of poor economic status because it is simple and less expensive
technique.
It does not have any engines installed in it, so there is no negative impact in the
environment.
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