Photo courtesy of Wheeling Fire Department Pictured is one of two new e-bikes the Wheeling Fire Department has purchased to help with events like the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine.

The Wheeling Fire Department has a new pair of vehicles to help it serve the city — and it had the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine in the front of its mind when it purchased them.

The department now has two fully equipped e-bikes in its fleet and both will be in use May 23-24 during the various events found during the weekend. Capt. Jason Milton, the department’s emergency medical services coordinator, said they’ll come in very handy as they patrol the races, especially the Ogden Newspapers Half Marathon Classic and the Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan.

“We’ve always had bikes in it, pedal bikes,” Milton said. “The technology is now to the point where it’s something that’s a little more forgiving for our paramedics and EMTs that are on the course, especially to get up places like 29th Street Hill, Chicken Neck Hill, Fulton Hill and places like that.”

E-bikes, or electric bikes, are pedal bicycles that also have an electric motor. Riders can pedal the bikes, use the electric motor alone, or pedal and have their speed supplemented by the motor. The e-bikes the department bought cost about $2,100 each, Milton said. They can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour and have an 80-mile range with their motors.

The bikes are fitted with sirens and warning lights, and will carry various pieces of medical equipment. Milton said they’ll have basic supplies to help with minor injuries like scrapes and cuts from trips and falls. They also can respond to more serious medical calls like cardiac arrest, and will have the capability of preparing patients for more advanced procedures when the ambulance arrives.

Wheeling Fire Chief James Blazier said the e-bikes’ usefulness will extend well beyond the Ogden Newspapers Wellness Weekend presented by WVU Medicine. The department helps with multiple events each year, including running events, where those bikes will be crucial in keeping everyone safe, getting into tight spaces while keeping the pressure off EMT and paramedics’ knees and lungs.

“We try to keep up with the times, so to speak,” Blazier said. “(Milton) came to me with the idea, presented it, and it was cost-effective and able to be accomplished. The first thought was the Ogden weekend, but we’ll have plenty of uses for them throughout the year.”