Blood Bikes Cleared To Use Bus Lanes Nationwide
Blood Bike volunteers can now use bus lanes nationwide after Ministers approved the change, cutting transit times for vital medical deliveries.
Volunteer medical transport service Blood Bikes Medical Transport has been granted permission to use the bus lane network across Ireland, following approval from the two ministers for transport.
The decision, announced on 28 April 2026, will allow Blood Bike volunteers to bypass traffic congestion while transporting clinical items to and between healthcare facilities, cutting transit times and reducing pressure on ambulance services and private operators.
Minister for Transport, Darragh O'Brien, welcomed the move:
"Blood Bikes Medical Transport volunteers provide a crucial health service, and I have had several meetings with them to learn more about the work they do. I am delighted that Blood Bike volunteers can now transport vital medical supplies between hospitals and patients across the country even more quickly and efficiently, which will bring reassurance to everyone involved.
I thank them all for their continued service to our communities."
Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports, Seán Canney, added:
"I welcome today's decision to allow access for Blood Bikes to bus lanes, further supporting them to carry out their indispensable support to our health service.
Blood Bike volunteers respond to almost 6,000 calls each year and their work contributes to the health and wellbeing of countless patients and their families. They also bring huge benefit to staff in our hospitals, medical centres, nursing homes and other healthcare settings. I too would like to take this opportunity to thank the Blood Bike volunteers for the work they do, free of charge, with great professionalism and unwavering dedication. I had the privilege of meeting some of the volunteers in Galway last year and I am delighted to be able to assist in this very important work."
Blood Bikes Medical Transport is a registered charity with almost 140 volunteers. The service operates entirely free of charge, handling 6,000 calls each year in support of hospitals, medical centres, nursing homes, and other healthcare settings across the country.
