What should you do if you find an injured runner or cyclist?
Make sure the scene is safe, especially from traffic, then check whether the person responds and is breathing. Call 911 if they are unresponsive, confused, bleeding heavily, or may have a head, neck or back injury. The Red Cross advises keeping a person with a suspected spinal injury still in the position found, and not removing a cyclist's helmet unless you need to give CPR. Stay with them until help arrives.
What to do, step by step
01Protect yourself and them from traffic
Before you reach them, look for cars, bikes and other hazards. If you're on a road, use hazard lights, a bright jacket or another person to warn traffic. You can't help anyone if you're hit too.
02Check for a response and breathing
Ask loudly if they're OK and tap their shoulder. The Red Cross suggests checking breathing and life-threatening bleeding for no more than 10 seconds. If they don't respond, aren't breathing normally or are bleeding heavily, call 911 right away or have someone else do it.
03Call 911 and give a precise location
Tell the dispatcher what happened, the person's condition and exactly where you are: road names, trail markers, a mile marker, or a landmark. Follow their instructions. If you've never done this before, our page on how to call 911 if you don't know where you are helps.
04Keep them still if the neck or back might be hurt
A fall from a bike or a hard fall while running can injure the head or spine. Tell them not to move, and have them stay in the position found unless you need to give CPR or can't control bleeding. Leave the helmet on unless you need to give CPR.
05Look for ID and emergency contacts
Check for an ID bracelet, a card in a pocket, or a Medical ID on their phone's lock screen. If the owner turned it on, iPhone Medical ID and Android emergency info can be viewed from the lock screen without the passcode. Pass anything useful to responders.
06Stay, reassure and keep them comfortable
Keep them from getting cold or overheated, talk to them calmly, and watch for changes in breathing or alertness. Stay until paramedics arrive, then tell them what you saw.
Related questions
What should I say to the 911 dispatcher?
Start with the location and the problem: "A cyclist has crashed on Route 9 northbound, just past the gas station at Elm Street. He's awake but confused and his helmet is cracked." Then answer their questions and follow their instructions. Stay on the line if they ask, and put the phone on speaker so your hands are free.
Should I move them off the road?
Only if staying put puts them in immediate danger, such as traffic you can't stop. The Red Cross advises moving someone with a suspected spinal injury only for safety, CPR or to control bleeding. Warn and redirect traffic instead if you can.
What if they say they're fine and want to keep going?
Respect them, but watch for confusion, a damaged helmet, or not remembering the fall; the Red Cross lists these among signs that need emergency care. Offer to call someone for them or to wait while they rest. If anything seems off, call 911.
How can I let their family know?
Use the emergency contacts from their ID or Medical ID, or give their phone to responders. If they use a safety app like Holler, their Guardians may already have their location. Our guide on what to do after a bike crash covers the rider's side.
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Sources, checked September 2026: American Red Cross: First aid steps, American Red Cross: Head, neck and spinal injury.
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