Paramedics give new electric bikes a big volt of confidence

But passers-by are likely to do a double-take when they discover that the source of some blues and twos doing the rounds are not ambulances or police vans, but electric bikes.

Paramedics in the city are undertaking a trial on the bikes to see whether they should be rolled out permanently.

They have ditched their mountain bikes - which were introduced three years ago to cope with big city centre events such as the Festival - in favour of their electric counterparts during the six-month trial.

Paramedics have reported that the electronic aid has cut their response times by up to two minutes as they tackle hills with greater ease.

The electric bikes also make it easier to carry the 40 kilos of kit that they have to take.

Paramedic Joel Symonds said: "We can now pedal up hills far easier and faster and it makes it easier when you're carrying 40 kilos of equipment on the back.

"Things like moving through traffic or climbing up the Mound are now a breeze.

"In my experience, comparing last year on the mountain bike with this year on the electric bike, I'd say I've probably cut one or two minutes off my response time."

The idea behind having mounted paramedics, of which there are three in Edinburgh, is to deliver a swift response to emergency situations in crowded areas.

Bikes can get paramedics to patients quickly so they can offer life-saving treatment while preparations are made to clear space for an ambulance to get through. The mounted paramedics also deal with day to day injuries such as falls and cuts in the five-square-mile area they cover.

They are not operational all-year round, but the two trial electric bikes will be used at the Festival fireworks event, during the Pope's visit and during the festivities in the city centre at Christmas and new year.

Mr Symonds added: "I will be compiling a report at the end of the trial as to how we found them as emergency response vehicles and we have nothing negative to say about them. We are very excited about them."

The bikes have been donated for the trial period by bosses at the Granton-based Electric Cycle Company, who met Mr Symonds while he was working on his mountain bike at the Royal Highland Show.

Neill Hope, director of the company, said: "It makes it a lot easier to carry their kit and to work in crowds."