The bike ambulance service was launched by the Maharashtra Emergency Medical Services on August 2, 2017. The 10-bike strong fleet, and the service, was available in 10 areas of Mumbai. The fleet has now got 30 new bikes, 10 for the Mumbai region and 20 for parts of Maharashtra beyond the areas surrounding the state’s capital city.
Maharashtra Health Minister Deepak Sawant has been quoted saying that the bike ambulance service has been able to save 1,302 patients in the last five months. Previously available only in 10 areas of the city – Dharavi, Nagpada, Malad, Charkop, Bhandup, Mankhurd, Goregaon, Thakur Village, Khar Danda and Kalina – the addition of 30 new bikes will see coverage expand to more areas of the Mumbai region and parts of Maharashtra, especially remote hilly areas. He also went on to say that areas such as Palghar, Nandurbar, Jawhar, Mokhada and Melghat, all known for its tough terrain, will be covered by the bike ambulance service.
The bike ambulances are Royal Enfield Thunderbirds and come equipped with a medical kit, trauma medical management kit and airway management kit.