The recent petition about green lights has put blood bikers back into the public spotlight, and that in itself is a positive thing. Anything that helps more people understand the work volunteers do to support hospitals and patients is welcome.
However, lights or colours is not a simple fix. It is not just about visibility, it brings questions of training, safety, insurance, and the responsibility carried by charity trustees.
These are serious issues that have to be handled carefully and properly.
It’s also worth remembering that green lights already have an established meaning, often linked to professions such as doctors on call.
At government level, the position is clear: there will be no special exemptions for blood bikes unless the relevant departments are prepared to look at the subject. At present they do not feel the need to do so, and blood bikes are seen as a valuable additional service alongside existing provisions.
Behind the scenes, NABB has been working for years on the wider question of exemptions and how blood bikes fit into national policy, and that work is still ongoing with the relevant people and bodies. We would welcome the team behind the petition to work with us on this, as it is already an established project and one that needs a joined-up, evidence-led approach.
The important thing is that this conversation has helped shine a light on blood bikers themselves – the volunteers, the bikes, the cars, and the quiet work they do every day. If this discussion leads to greater understanding and support for blood bikes, then that can only be a good outcome.
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