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How Do You
Pronounce IPMBA? |
Just say
"eye-pim-buh" |
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Join experts and colleagues from around the
world in an excellent mix of interactive sessions covering basic, intermediate,
advanced, and certified bicycle handling skills; workshops covering practical,
legal, economic and community oriented bike issues; and workshops devoted
to administrative issues. The Product Exhibition, which is held at the conference
site, is the largest of its kind for bicycle patrol-related products. |
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REGISTER
FOR THE IPMBA
CONFERENCE |
To get your free IPMBA Conference information
kit, contact:
International Police
Mountain Bike
Association
583 Frederick Road, Ste 5B
Baltimore, Maryland 21228
PH: 410-744-2400
FAX: 410-744-5504
EMAIL: info (at)
ipmba.org |
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| The IPMBA News is an informative, bi-monthly
newsletter chock-full of tips, product reviews, announcements, stories from
the street and much more. It's for IPMBA members only, but you can see
a sample issue here. |
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LINK TO
IPMBA |
Use this logo to link your Web page to
www.ipmba.org
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Why
put police, EMS & security personnel on mountain bikes? |
 One of the fastest growing trends in law enforcement and
emergency medical response today is utilization of mountain bicycles. Quiet,
cost efficient, and amazingly effective, mountain bikes are able to bridge
the gap between automobiles and foot patrol. Experience has shown that citizens
are more likely to approach a bike patrol officer than even a neighborhood
beat officer, optimizing community oriented or problem oriented policing
efforts. Bicycle officers are better able to use all of their senses, including
smell and hearing, to detect and address crime. Bike patrol officers are
often able to approach suspects virtually unnoticed, even in full uniform.
Bike-mounted security officers create a highly mobile, visible presence in
a wide range of facilities, including shopping malls, casinos, office parks,
gated communities, hospital complexes, and amusement parks. The mobility
of an EMS provider on a bike can mean the difference between life or death
in congested or crowded conditions. EMS on bikes are increasingly deployed
in tourist areas, during special events, in amusement parks and sports arenas,
on college campuses, and in airports, train stations and other transportation
hubs. They are also indispensable in urban and wilderness search and rescue
and mass casualty situations.
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Where
would we use bikes? |
| Mountain bikes have proven effective in a number of different
environments. They are swift and agile in busy urban areas where traffic
snarls and crowds delay motorized units. Bikes are also effective in less
urban areas for park patrol, parking lots, campus areas, residential patrol,
business security, athletic or civic events, and specialized details. They
can be operated on streets, sidewalks, alleys, trails, and in any areas that
are difficult to access with motor vehicles.
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We
know how to ride bikes; why do we need training? |
| While many officers and EMS providers know how to ride bikes,
far fewer know how to cycle and survive in complex traffic. Unlike recreational
cyclists who can choose routes that are convenient and safe, public safety
cyclists have to ride where they are needed. That may mean they have to ride
in extremely heavy traffic. Are the members of your bike unit skilled enough
to do that now? Do they know where to ride on multi-lane or channelized roadways?
Can they brake safely with maximum effectiveness and control? Can they perform
emergency maneuvers if a car or object suddenly appears in their path? Police,
EMS, and security cyclists need the skills to ascend and descend curbs, stairs,
and other environmental obstacles. Police and security cyclists must know
what tactics to use in a pursuit and how to dismount quickly but safely and
perform an arrest or fire their sidearm. EMS cyclists must know how to cycle
with a heavy load, select and pack medical equipment, and position a bike
at a scene in such a way that it blocks curious onlookers yet does not hamper
access to the medical equipment.
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Why
IPMBA training courses? |
| These courses are approved by the International Police Mountain
Bike Association (IPMBA) and are accredited by a number of state agencies.
Based on principles of vehicular cycling, they utilize proven techniques
to teach public safety cyclists how to ride safely and comfortably in traffic,
off-road and under various conditions. Students spend hours in skill development,
riding in diverse traffic situations and practicing patrol tactics or
EMS-specific techniques. They learn to ascend curbs, descend stairs and perform
emergency maneuvers designed to avoid crashes. All students who achieve a
minimum score of 76% on the written test and a satisfactory rating on the
practical exam are eligible for certification. Membership is required for
certification; and certification is required for future advancement to IPMBA
Instructor. Advanced training is offered at the annual IPMBA conference.
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What equipment
do I need? |
| It is the responsibility of the course instructor to provide
a full list of required equipment to registered students. All courses require:
a quality mountain bike, properly fitted; a properly fitted bicycle helmet;
pedal retention devices (toe clips, clipless pedals); and protective eye
wear. Additional equipment typically required or recommended includes: padded
cycling gloves, padded cycling shorts, rainwear, clothing for all weather
conditions, basic bicycle tools, spare tube, front & rear lights, water
bottles & cages, rear rack, and panniers (EMS only).
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Is there a book
about public safety cycling? |
| The Complete Guide to Public
Safety Cycling is the single most comprehensive source of in-depth
information on starting a bike unit or enhancing an established bike unit
with tactical and technical tips on everything from basic equipment needs
to detailed insights on policy, maintenance, training, legal issues, and
much more. This essential resource will guide public safety personnel and
agencies seeking put the wheels of a public safety bike unit in motion! The
Complete Guide to Public Safety Cycling is the required text for all IPMBA
Police, EMS, and Security Cyclist Courses. Section One covers all general
aspects of Public Safety Cycling such as bicycle types and components, clothing
and personal protective equipment, skill development, hazard avoidance, bike
maintenance, nutrition and fitness, funding, and bike safety education for
children. Section Two addresses police-specific equipment, patrol procedures
and tactics, firearms training, and campus and security operations. Section
Three is dedicated to EMS Bike Operations, including equipment, load placement,
and scene management and safety.
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Why should I
join IPMBA? |
| IPMBA membership is open to individual public safety officers.
IPMBA currently has over 3,000 members, so the networking opportunities are
outstanding. Benefits of membership include eligibility for world-class training
opportunities, the unique and informative IPMBA
News, discounted registration to the annual IPMBA
Conference, access to members-only discounts on bike duty-related products,
a subscription to Bicycling magazine, and more!
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How do I get
more information? |
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Contact IPMBA at 410-744-2400,
info "at" ipmba "dot"
org, or
583 Frederick Road, Suite 5B, Baltimore, Maryland 21228.
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