Shropshire, Staffordshire and Cheshire Blood Bikes deliver urgent supplies to medical settings across the three counties and beyond. Often relied on in times of emergency, they can provide anything from breast milk for neonatal units to urgent supplies of blood or platelets when hospitals are running low. The service is manned completely by volunteers and the team’s 16 motorbikes are a lifeline for its users covering 350,000 miles a year to support people in need.

Having clear signage on their fleet of motorbikes is essential in making sure riders are visible on the road and can be safely identified.

Unique solution

When the charity updated their fleet, they were unable to find a company that could provide the vehicle wraps required.

HEX Graphics’ expertise meant they were able to source and apply specialist motorbike livery that perfectly fit the charity’s new BMW and Moto Guzzi models.

“Our 160 volunteer riders rely on clear signage on the Blood Bikes to keep them safe and make them visible on the road,” says Fleet Manager Nigel Howells.

“When we had to change bike models it was difficult to find a supplier who could provide the livery required. Working with HEX Graphics has made the whole process simpler and we can now quickly and easily brand up new bikes so our riders can continue to get out on the roads providing the much-needed support to the NHS.”

Collaborative approach

The HEX Group’s expertise in manufacturing has also helped to configure a specialist tray which can be fitted to the back of each bike to transport the much-needed blood boxes and containers needed for deliveries.

Changes to the fleet meant that as well as the livery not being available, vital bike trays also did not fit. Working with sister group company, Alpha Manufacturing was able to design a specialist modular tray with various fixing kits to fit multiple styles of bike.

“It really has made a difference,” adds Nigel. “We now have a system that can work with any bike we chose. It can be adapted and remodelled as needed to provide a simple solution which can even transport two different products at the same time.”

Updating eight new bikes and with another three in the pipeline, the Group is hoping the idea will become best practice helping other Blood Bike teams across the country providing a simple solution to keep volunteer riders safe on the road.