Metropolitan Ambulance Services paramedics have thought outside the square to provide better care—on bicycles.

And the novel method of service delivery has seen the MAS receive the Innovation in models of care category of the annual Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.

The bicycle paramedic teams carry the same standard equipment as a road ambulance, except the regular oxygen cylinder is replaced by a more portable manual resuscitator.

They can quickly cut through crowds at major sporting or cultural events to gain rapid access to casualties, giving patients a quick emergency response and proper patient care.

Despite being on two wheels, these bike teams can do everything a standard ambulance can do, aside from transporting patients.

That includes defibrillation, resuscitation, advanced life support and drug therapy.

The bicycle response unit (BRU) has attended recent events such as spring races at Flemington and Caulfield and the Royal Melbourne Show.