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with Calgary's Mountain Bike Search Team

by the Calgary Search and Rescue Association Mountain Bike Search Team

The idea of using mountain bikes in searches is not new. In fact, the Calgary Search and Rescue Association (CALSARA) had been talking about putting together a bike team to assist in ground search efforts almost since its inception 10 years ago. However it wasn't until the fall of 2000 that a Mountain Bike Development Team was formed to research and test the viability of searching on bikes. These enthusiastic mountain bikers spent countless hours meeting, researching, riding and learning how to search while riding. With more than a dozen members currently on the team, and approaching three years of work, we continue to find ways to refine our search techniques.

Our initial research indicated that very few search and rescue organizations were using bikes in searches. For those who had occasionally used bikes in the past, it tended to be as a result of the tasking agency requesting a volunteer SAR group to bring their bikes on a particular search. We believed we could best assist our tasking agencies by having a dedicated group of committed riders trained and equipped to be deployed in various situations and at a moment's notice.

Our research and discussions then focused on the following questions: how useful would such a team be to our tasking agencies? What kind of searches could we perform? Where would these searches likely occur? What equipment would be necessary? What specific things would we train for and how often? What rules, regulations, policies and procedures need to be in place? How do we ensure that our tasking agencies know that CALSARA has this resource that can assist them?

Scope of the challenge
Calgary is a city of almost one million people with an elaborate network of city pathways and parks, in addition to a huge expanse of backcountry recreational areas such as Kananaskis Country and several national parks. Our tasking agencies were pleased to see our interest in developing a bike team and felt this would be a great resource to enhance ground SAR efforts. With an active outdoor population enjoying city parks and pathways as well as numerous hikers, bikers, campers, equestrians, ATVers and others enjoying our wonderful 'outdoor playgrounds', the likelihood that a person may be lost or go missing is indeed realistic. Having a group of trained bike searchers ready to search for these missing persons would result in a more rapid recovery.

Bike expertise
After much debate and discussion, the development team proposed that CALSARA purchase the bikes and related equipment to be used on searches. We had concerns about people arriving at a search with their own bikes in not ideal riding condition, putting them and their teammates at risk. With the association owning the search bikes, we could ensure proper and regular maintenance of all equipment and remove or replace defective parts/bikes.

In order to have the maximum number of bikes in the field at all times, 10 Bike Team members completed a two-day bike mechanics course at the University of Calgary. This has provided us with the knowledge to make necessary repairs in the field or at command post. Only major repairs require a visit to our bike shop.

Our eight Kona Muni Mula bikes are equipped with two panniers to carry enough supplies for 24 hours. Lights, spare batteries, pump, tool kits, locks and other equipment are included with each bike. An enclosed trailer provides a safe storage area and means of transportation for all bikes and repair equipment when not in use and acts as repair center when needed. A four-wheel drive, eight-passenger suburban truck allows us to haul all needed equipment and personnel to each search or training exercise.

All Bike Team members wear an identifiable bike uniform and approved helmet consistent with the yellow and black colours of CALSARA's uniforms. In addition, all riders must wear eye protection, riding gloves and appropriate footwear for riding, pushing and foot searching. Individual search criteria will dictate parameters such as speed of searching, spacing, duration and distance to cover and number of riders per team. We always work with a minimum of two riders, one being designated as Team Leader. This is not only for safety reasons but also to allow riders to search opposite sides of the trail.

The Bike Team trains twice monthly: one weekday evening and one Saturday in addition to all regular CALSARA training, committee work and searches. Training often consists of familiarization with high probability search areas, specific scenario training relative to speed, spacing, probability of detection, mock search exercises, table-top planning and map reading, riding skills, fitness and teamwork. All members contribute significantly to the team by riding several times per month on their own. Training with our team is year round.

Advantages of the Bike Team
We have found the Bike Team to be a valuable addition to our organization. We have not only assisted in searches in the backcountry, but also in several city searches for children or other missing persons. The increased speed at which bike searchers can perform hasty trail sweeps, reconnaissance and other functions assists the Search Managers with their plans to use foot searchers. Re-deployment to another search area is quick and all riders are prepared to lock their bikes and search on foot when necessary. Bikes can travel in sensitive areas where ATVs may be prohibited and can be utilized to ferry equipment to distant teams in need. The CALSARA Bike Team has worked in partnership with local conservation authorities and parks staff to identify hazards in the community. We have also provided patrol and First Aid assistance in the MS Walk and for the MS Bike Tour.

As time passes and more people become familiar with the use of bike teams in volunteer search and rescue groups, more bike teams will be created. We sincerely hope these teams will share their ideas with all search and rescue groups to facilitate the expansion of bike teams overall. We would like to extend our thanks to our supporters in the Calgary area. Without their help this Mountain Bike Team would never have become a reality.

Visit the website or contact the Team Leader at biketeamleader@calsara.com. Good searching and remember to 'keep the rubber side down.'

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