CABDA 2021: A Presenter’s Perspective

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by Clint Sandusky, PCI #849/EMSCI #159 (former)
Riverside (CA) Community College District Police Dept. (ret.)

As this devastating COVID-19 pandemic continued across our country and the world, yet another event decided to go virtual – the CABDA Expo – the bike industry trade show.

As they stated on their website, “Just because we cannot meet in person, doesn’t mean we give up! Our industry adapts, improvises, and overcomes! Talk with our exhibitors, get the latest production news, attend some great virtual training. Keep the Bike Boom Alive!”

As of February 14, 2021, attendance was at 951 (attended “live” or later viewed). Registered attendees had access to view all recorded seminars for a month, following the Expo.

I had the honor of presenting in person at the 2020 CABDA West Expo/California. That was a new and rewarding experience, but the virtual event platform was a whole new ball game!

My topics were Selling E-Bikes to Law Enforcement: Understanding their Unique Needs, and E-Bike Safety: How IBDs are the First Line of Defense.

As it turned out, my two scheduled seminars went very well, were well-attended, and, thankfully, problem-free.

Jim Kersten (Show Director) and Tylor Robertson (Communications Director) were extremely helpful and always

available to answer any questions I had, before and during the Expo.

This virtual format allowed presenters to reach far more attendees from across the country than an in-person seminar would have.

I would like to thank Maureen Becker (IPMBA Executive Director) and Greg Bowen (IPMBA Board Member & Industry Liaison) for supporting me, by attending both my seminars and the virtual “Lounge” discussions which followed each one.

Within these “Lounges,” Greg, Maureen, and I had the opportunity to speak with attendees, provide information, and direct them to resources specific to serving the public safety sector.

Confirmations and Achievements

During the lounge discussions, attendees (mostly retailers) confirmed that e-Bike safety – or the lack of it – is a topic of concern as the cycling landscape continues to evolve. I believe it is going to take all of us working together (public safety personnel, bicycle retailers and manufacturers, cycling educators, advocates, and organizations; parents and schools; the media, and more) to encourage safe, legal, and responsible e-Bike use as more people discover the fun and freedom an e-Bike can provide.

I bet your agency, to varying degrees, has already received concerns and/or complaints from your citizens of unsafe, illegal, and/or irresponsible use of e-Bikes – including by our youth. E-Bikes are fun and cool, and they get more people out on bikes. However, “with great speed comes great responsibility.”

My seminar, Selling e-Bikes to Law Enforcement: Understanding their Unique Needs provided an opportunity to educate retailers about what law enforcement and other public safety agencies generally look for in e-Bikes.

Despite the negative press about some agencies’ use of bicycles during the protests, few addressed the topic. In fact, there were mostly positive, constructive comments and a “thank you” from at least one attendee.

An Encouragement

Although it was somewhat intimidating at first, I would encourage anyone reading this article to seek out and/or accept opportunities to present at events like this, whether virtually or in-person. It may not be a classic community-oriented policing platform, but it will open dialogues and yield fruit!

For more information on CABDA and its future expos, visit https://www.cabda.com.

Clint joined IPMBA in 1994. He completed the Advanced Police Cyclist Course in 2000 and the IPMBA Instructor Course in 2005. He has conducted workshops at the 2006, 2007, 2018, and 2019 IPMBA Conferences. He serves as a member of IPMBA’s E-Bike Task Force and has presented e-Bike workshops at the last two conferences. Clint remains an active CA POST Bike Patrol Instructor, 26 years and counting. He writes and presents about all things e-Bike to the cycling industry and community, law enforcement, and beyond. He can be reached at clint.sandusky@gmail.com.

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