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How
Do You
Pronounce IPMBA?
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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
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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
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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?
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 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?
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| 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?
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| 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?
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| 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?
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| 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?
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| 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?
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| 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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