CABDA East 2024: My Sophomore Year

By ADMIN 0 Comments

by John Barbour, PCI #1206
Princeton University (NJ) Police Department (Ret.)

In March 6, 2024, I attended the Chicagoland Area Bike Dealers Association (more commonly referred to as CABDA) Expo East. It is a perfect event for bicycle enthusiasts. They have everything a bicyclist could want; from tools, locks, helmets, mechanical bikes, e-Bikes, workshops, and educational seminars to a small track for test-riding equipment.

This being my second year in attendance, I was a bit more prepared, but still in awe at the wide variety of products and numerous vendors.

As I walked the aisles of the Expo, which was held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey, I recalled that the event was not open the public, but was reserved for bike dealers, professional mechanics, bike fitters, bike tour companies, and other representatives of the cycling industry. I felt very lucky to be allowed to attend and participate in the Expo.

I started out the day by getting adjusted to the layout. It was slightly different than the previous year, and although the large open area was full of vendors, there seemed to be a few less than last year. As I walked around the venue, I noticed the test track was larger, and there were a lot more people trying out more bikes. The most tested bikes I observed were e-Bikes in many different variations. I saw two-wheeled, three-wheeled, and e-Bikes that looked like motorcycles! The one common denominator was everyone who was testing an e-Bike was smiling and having a blast.

One of the first products that caught my eye as an item that would be useful to public safety cyclists is Bivo Water Bottle. The Bivo water bottle is a metal water bottle that dispenses water – or whatever liquid you use to hydrate with while riding – without squeezing the bottle.

I was fortunate enough to get a free bottle (the 21-ounce Bivo One). I used it a few times prior to writing this article and was very impressed with its durability. I was even more impressed with the strong flow of water that was dispensed without squeezing the bottle. The Bivo One is an uninsulated version of the product; they also offer larger bottles and insulated models. The way the water comes out in a strong flow without squeezing made it easier to hydrate while I was riding. By just having to turn the bottle up, I was able to keep focusing on the road. drinkbivo.com.

The next brand I thought may be beneficial to our line of work as public safety cyclists is Mint’N Dry. This is a line of waterless bike cleaners, degreasers, and lubricants. I was able to get samples of some of their products. I tried the waterless bike cleaner first. It worked very well; just spray it on and wipe it off. All the products are biodegradable and safe for most surfaces. While performing a tune-up on my bike, I applied the degreaser and the lube. It was comforting to know that I was not inhaling and smelling strong chemical fumes as with a lot of degreasers and lubes. They have a few variations of each product line. I was very pleased with all the products and will continue to use them.

I believe these products will help keep patrol bikes cleaner and a bit easier to maintain. Mint’N Dry has already enrolled in the Product Purchase Program, offering 20% off MSRP. Watch for a full review by Joe Young, SCI #033, of York University Security Services in Toronto, Ontario. mintndry.com

I am resubmitting this brand and vendor, Kryptonite, well-known for bike locks. The security of our patrol bikes is paramount when we are on patrol. I was shown a lock that I thought would be useful to the public safety cycling community. The lock is called the “Evolution 790 Folding Lock”. The design and compact size make it ideal for patrol bags or mounted on the bike. The lock has many features that make the lock easy to use and distinguishes it from other folding locks on the market. Knowing your patrol bike is secure is one less worry for you while on the job. Check out this video from the Kryptonite website, demonstrating the lock: https://youtu.be/PfIkXETMvEg. ; kryptonitelock.com

Another company I would like to mention for a second time is BiKASE. This is a company that could be extremely useful to bike patrol personnel. They have accessories that would be practical on patrol, such as bike bags, phone holders, locks. They can even do custom orders on some products. Having a good durable bag, one that will keep your gear secure and protected, is comforting to know while you are riding on patrol. bikase.com

I am grateful to Maureen and IPMBA for the chance to attend the event for a second year. I am only mentioning a few products that I felt would be beneficial to us as public safety cyclists. Although the expo had much more to offer, it is primarily for bicycle retailers, wholesalers, buyers, and many products are more suitable for the civilian cycling market. It was another great learning experience, and I learned that there is always something new in the world of bicycling, which gives us public safety cyclists something to look forward to every year. For more information about the CABDA Expos, visit http://www.cabda.com. ;

John is a retired police sergeant from Princeton University Department of Public Safety. He owns and operates BK Bike Training and has been offering Police Cyclist, Security Cyclist, and E-Bike Training in the mid-Atlantic region. He can be reached at Bkbiketraining@gmail.com.

IPMBA News