London Search and Rescue adds electric-assist bikes to its missions
Some key additions have been made to the gear used by London Search and Rescue (LSAR).
Commander Jamie Walls says two electric-assist, all-terrain bicycles will enhance their ability to assist in search efforts, calling it a game-changer, telling CTV News London, "It helps us respond and complete tasks quicker. It helps us get equipment out to team that are already in the field."
LSAR was formed 20 years ago and is an entirely volunteer based, not-for-profit agency with about 80 members.
They've been involved in numerous high-profile searches in the region, including a successful search for a 3-year-old near Norwich, Ont. in September of 2015.
Walls says they considered traditional pedal bikes but those bikes had a downside that electric-assist helps address.
"They're already out of breath from the bike ride; with the electric assist they can still have the reserve energy necessary to complete whatever needs to be done on the far side of the ride,” adds Walls.
Two electric-assist, all-terrain bicycles will enhance the ability of London Search and Rescue to assist in search efforts. (Gerry Dewan/CTV News London)
There are numerous locations in and around the city where even a small, four-wheel drive vehicle can’t access. He says the bikes could be a difference maker when it comes to getting into a remote location, locating someone and getting them the help that they need in a timely fashion.
Walls says it's all about applying the right resource to the right task.
“Sometimes that right resource is two feet and a heartbeat, sometimes it's a bike, sometimes it's a quad,” he says.
The bikes, which travel at over 30 kilometres an hour, were selected after LSAR leadership consulted with staff at bike specialists "To Wheels" located downtown London, Ont.
The "To Wheels" staff also recommended ways to outfit the bikes to easily carry repair kits, first aid supplies and even a defibrillator. The entire set-up for the two bikes cost almost $11,000.
Wall says $10,000 was donated by Lutheran Social Services London, saying, "They seemed to immediately understand that this was a fantastic resource for the city and southwestern Ontario to have."
Wells says LSAR takes its direction from first responders leading search efforts and will utilized the bikes where requested.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
For the first time in report's history, Canada's air quality worse than U.S.
Air quality in Canada is now worse than in the U.S., according to the 6th Annual World Air Quality Report. Of the 15 most polluted cities in the two countries, 14 were in Canada.
A newspaper says video of Prince William and Kate should halt royal rumour mill. That's a tall order
Prince William and his wife Catherine have been filmed at a farm shop near their Windsor home, The Sun newspaper reported -- the first footage of Kate since she had abdominal surgery for an unspecified condition two months ago.
WATCH LIVE As former prime minister Mulroney lies in state, public tributes in Ottawa begin
Members of the public who wish to pay tribute to Brian Mulroney can visit his casket in Ottawa starting this afternoon.
BREAKING Roy McMurtry, former Ontario attorney general, dies at 91
CTV News has confirmed that former Ontario attorney general Roy McMurtry has died.
Hertz CEO out following electric car 'horror show'
The company, which announced in January it was selling 20,000 of the electric vehicles in its fleet, or about a third of the EVs it owned, is now replacing the CEO who helped build up that fleet, giving it the company’s fifth boss in just four years.
'You ask for your money, they disappear': Ontario man loses $17K to AI crypto scam
A Toronto man is spreading the word of a cryptocurrency scam that lures victims using AI-generated news sites after he lost $17,000 in investments.
Images taken deep inside melted Fukushima reactor show damage, but leave many questions unanswered
Images taken by miniature drones from deep inside a badly damaged reactor at the Fukushima nuclear plant show displaced control equipment and misshapen materials but leave many questions unanswered, underscoring the daunting task of decommissioning the plant.
DEVELOPING February inflation rate slows to 2.8% as price growth unexpectedly eases
Canada's annual inflation rate unexpectedly fell to 2.8 per cent last month, amid sharp declines in cellular and internet services as well as slower grocery price growth.
High thoughts: The habits of Canadian cannabis users are revealed in a new StatCan report
Statistics Canada has conducted a series of surveys to measure the impacts of legalized cannabis since the Cannabis Act took effect in 2018. The latest one, the 2023 National Cannabis Survey, sheds light on users' preferences and habits last year.