Mountain bikes are a useful tool in search and rescue operations.  During the early stages of a mission, searchers want to cover a lot of ground quickly along trails or other linear terrain features that the subjects may have followed.  Travel by bike is environmentally neutral and they move quietly  therefore  searchers can easily hear and recognize shouts for assistance. 

Later in the rescue process, searchers can try to “confine” a subject in a specific radius.  Mountain bikes can cover ground much faster than hikers which then helps  insure the subjects do not leave the containment area.

Mountain bikes also can carry gear to areas where trucks or all-terrain vehicles may be too restricted, making them a useful tool for transporting first-aid, rescue or communications equipment, such as radio relays.