Fat Tires in the Sand

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by Robert Dunivin, EMSCI #205
Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department

Here at the Los Angeles Fire Department Bicycle Unit, we are always seeking additional opportunities to deploy our bicycles in service to our citizens. The advent of the fat tire bicycle has enabled us to expand our operations at Venice Beach. Venice Beach is like a carnival every day. It attracts surfers, skateboarders, shoppers, body-builders, and spectators who come to gawk at the street entertainers, tattooed bodies, and self-proclaimed “freaks” who populate the boardwalk. Needless to say, it sees its fair share of medical calls.

Sometimes those calls take the responders out onto the beach, so some of our team members decided to try using their fat tire bicycles as something of a pilot program. It was successful, so at some point when we find the funds and the right bike, we would like the department to invest in some.

There are a few things to keep in mind. Like any other vehicle that goes on the sand, you must lower the tire pressure. This becomes a balancing act because the lower pressure adds more drag when you are back on solid surfaces. I suggest starting at 30 to 40 psi below maximum pressure and then fine-tuning it. We have used both e-Bikes and conventional fat tire bikes. They both do fine on the sand, but the e-Bike compensates for the drag on hard surfaces. It also gives you start-up power when you have stopped and then start back up. It takes getting used to; you can’t make quick turns or sharp turns; everything has to be gradual and planned.

As for maintenance, at the end of every weekend, the beach bikes are cleaned to remove the sand. We use a dry lube on the chain. At the end of the summer season, they are torn down for thorough cleaning and inspection because of the salt and sand.

What I like about riding a fat bike is that I feel more stable and I don't worry when I hit the sand drifts on the bike path that may grab a regular bike. In many cases, we will respond on the sand more quickly than if we used the boardwalk or bike path, which are always crowded.

Most of our on-sand responses are to the lifeguard towers. We carry the same gear as on our regular bikes.

Finding the right bike has been a challenge. Our regular fleet is 100% Volcanic; they make a really nice fat bike but they have not yet jumped into the e-Bike market. LAPD has been using the Bulls bikes for two years and are satisfied with their performance. We tried the Recon but it was too heavy for our purposes.

If your operating environment involves sand, give the fat bikes a try. You may find they will expand your horizons and give you further justification for maintaining or enhancing your bike team.

Bob holds the rank of Captain with the Los Angeles Fire Department and has been a member of the Los Angeles Fire Department Bike Medic Team since 2004. He has been an IPMBA Instructor since 2008. He can be reached at rdunivin@gmail.com.

Photos courtesy Bob Dunivin.

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