Paramedics on bikes are to be trialled in Canterbury and Whitstable.

The cycle response unit has been introduced by South East Coast Ambulance Service NHS Trust (SECAmb) to respond better to patients in built up pedestrianised areas.

Acting clinical team leader Dave Marshall, who has put the unit together, said: “We believe the cycle response unit will hugely benefit the areas where it is being trialled.

“These areas see a large influx of visitors during the summer and we believe these bikes will prove to be a positive addition to our fleet in terms of responding quickly and appropriately to patients.”

The unit has been funded by the trust’s innovations and revenue group which has been set up to allow staff to propose ideas which will benefit patient care.

SECAmb’s chief executive Paul Sutton said: “We hope that the unit will not only help improve the response we can provide to patients in built up areas, but also improve our presence among the communities we serve.”

The unit is made up of eight bicycles and all cyclists have undergone a public safety cycling course.

They will respond to all types of emergency calls within specific target areas. The bikes have been kitted out with all the necessary life-saving medical equipment, including a defibrillator.

The third trial area is Brighton.