IPMBA, You, and I: Growing Together Within Our Communities
by Bill Mack, SCI #006
Pierce Transit (WA) Department of Public Safety
"It was fun, but where’s my certificate?” At that question from a confident student who just completed the challenging and rewarding IPMBA Public Safety Cyclist Course, the bike instructor cringes, pauses and attempts to artfully explain how to go about it. I prefer the online version. Just a few days before, the novice student looked at you in bewilderment as you casually stated, “Yes, we ride mountain bikes up and down stairs.” I have heard the “where’s my certificate” question many times, but after completing (by the skin of my teeth) the rigorous IPMBA Instructor Course in 2010 at the University of Washington in Tacoma, I believe that I have learned a thing or two about how to lead, encourage and mentor – not hinder – the novice, moderate and expert cyclist.
I have been fortunate enough to serve as both lead and co-instructor for a number of IPMBA Cyclist Courses as well as host bike workshops, bike swaps and other bike events within my community and elsewhere. Without the mentorship of Tacoma Police Department Sergeant Paul Jagodinski, the patience of my two pioneering IPMBA Instructor Course Instructors, Kirby Beck and John Washington (John, I still refer to the training materials that you thoughtfully mailed me), and guidance from IPMBA Executive Director Maureen Becker, I feel that I would not have had the opportunity to do so. Paul, John and Kirby encouraged, prodded and molded me throughout the intensive process of becoming an IPMBA Instructor. Without them and countless others that I did not mention, including all of my enthusiastic students (even the ones who showed up with broken bikes, loafers or boots, golf shirts and class “A” pants), fellow instructors and eager aides, I would not be the instructor or person that I am today. Maureen’s professional influence is instrumental in enabling me to maximize IPMBA’s training and networking opportunities.
IPMBA promotes camaraderie between Police, EMS, Security and the citizen cyclist. Through IPMBA, I have been able to become an instructor for the League of American Bicyclists (League Cycling Instructor, or LCI). I feel that it is an invaluable asset to developing community oriented policing. Through bike swaps, bike workshops and authoring bike-related articles, the IPMBA Instructor can guide a community towards a gratifying, safe and fun cycling experience.
How do we encourage cooperation within our communities and enable us all to grow as people and cyclist? I think it is with the simple and straightforward “tell, show, do” leadership methodology of the IPMBA Instructor. Through leading by example, enabling cooperation and fostering healthy competition, our communities can grow together, becoming richer and stronger. I think that as a response to the growing schism between law enforcement and the community, IPMBA-trained officers can play a lead role in improving these strained relations. I can’t tell you how many times in the last six years I have visited with former students, sharing a warm smile, a firm handshake, a hearty laugh and the good-natured ribbing that goes along with the sense of pride in completing the course. I have encountered friendly, waving and smiling pedestrians, cyclists and motorists. Whether we are park rangers, hospital security, private security, college security and transit security, police, sheriff’s deputies, and/or EMS, we all share the common bond that we have completed one of the most arduous training courses available. We can share those experiences and encourage others to do so.
I think we can also seamlessly transition from the public safety side of cycling to the citizen cyclist. An IPMBA Instructor can, with some patience and a little fortitude, transition to become a League of American Bicyclist Instructor (LCI). This provides a wealth of new information and training techniques to improve the IPMBA Instructor’s skills and pass on knowledge to other IPMBA instructors, members and new students.
With the additional LCI certification, the instructor can confidently host bike workshops or bike swaps that cater to the citizen cyclist, including adults, teenagers and youth. I have found that for local colleges and businesses that encourage commuting, an eight-hour bike workshop is a great tool to inspire confidence, improve skills, promote a healthy lifestyle and improve physical fitness.
Next comes the fun part, the mechanical side of cycling. Yes, that rear tire change skill station is invaluable. We have probably all experienced an out-of-alignment derailleur or drivetrain on more than on one occasion; why is it always at night? To help alleviate such situations, I had the good fortune to attend Volcanic’s bike maintenance class hosted in Seattle, Washington.
Of course, what would cycling be without moisture-wicking and retro-reflective garments? I have been able to foster invaluable relationships with Bratwear and MOCEAN, two giants in the cycling garment and uniform industry. Without IPMBA’s extensive resources, I would not have that opportunity. I feel that any IPMBA Instructor or member can effectively utilize the resources IPMBA has to share with just a little initiative. There are countless resources on the website, with more content added regularly.
IPMBA enables its members to grow as cyclists and people. When I was a child and decided to ride my new red tricycle on the icy sidewalk in the middle of winter, I did not imagine that someday I would be a certified IPMBA SCI, a League LCI, and a Volcanic-trained bike mechanic. I had no clue that I would be able to repair the front tire that I tweaked and steer clear of the icy sidewalk, avoiding the endo I brilliantly performed (I flew like a bird). Who would have thought I was supposed to wear a bike helmet/eye protection and moisture-wicking and retro-reflective garments?
An IPMBA Instructor, that’s who!
Bill Mack is IPMBA SCI #006, League LCI #5285, a Volcanic-trained bike mechanic, and has a penchant for effective cycling, road riding, and avoiding endos on icy sidewalks. He can be reached at bmack@piercetransit.org.
(c) 2016 IPMBA. This article appeared in the Fall 2016 issue of IPMBA News.