Leeds cycle response unit is a Paramedic service which was set up by Steve Smith on a 20 week trial by the now defunct West Yorkshire Metropolitan Ambulance Service (WYMAS). WYMAS said the bikes could stay if the scheme was a success. It was dropped due to funding issues, but a new Chief Executive took over and WYMAS became Yorkshire Ambulance Service (YAS) and things looked much brighter for the scheme.
The new Chief Executive asked what had happened to the scheme. Before long it had started up again. It has now been running for approaching two years and is increasing in its size and success. There will soon be 12 members of staff on the team, working on a rotation basis throughout the year.
The hopes for the future are that it will increase the number of bikes and also trial out new ways of working. Such as working in line with the police and other organisations in and around Leeds.