Survival Essentials for the IPMBA Instructor

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by Mitch Trujillo, PCI #244T/EMSCI #248T, Boulder (CO) Police Department

Contributors:
Michael Wear, PCI #516T-B/EMSCI #059T-B, Metropolitan (DC) Police Department
Rance Okada, PCI #246T, Westminster (CO) Police Department (ret.)
Michael Pitman, PCI #1186T/EMSCI #250T, Carmel (IN) Police Department
Tom Madera, PCI #384T, Yale University (CT) Public Safety
Bobby Sellers, PCI #1313T-B/EMSCI #268T-B, Cypress Creek (TX) EMS
Mo Ibrahim, PCI #1326T-B/EMSCI #321T-B, Metropolitan (DC) Police Department

Indeed, it is the IPMBA Instructor’s responsibility to ensure a safe and productive training environment for every student. Preparation and planning are the foundation for a successful class. Those two things begin well before the start of instruction on the first day, as even an ounce of prevention can go a long way.

This article focuses on “survival essentials” – items instructors should carry while teaching – and a questionnaire used to assess student bikes before riding. The survival essentials will help you – the IPMBA Instructor – mitigate some of the “what if’s” when teaching. The lists may be used in tandem.

Instructor Gear

In bike training, problems can appear unexpectedly and take on a variety of forms. As with falls, “It’s not a matter of ‘if”, but ‘when’.” Some snafus can be prevented, but not all circumstances can be predicted. Hence, there is no “ultimate” gear list.

Thus, it can be said that IPMBA Instructors are obliged to carry certain precautionary materials for student safety and to help minimize delays. Some materials are already listed in the IPMBA ITK checklists (and are expounded on below) and should be standard equipment for all on-bike skills, including road rides. Whether you choose to carry them on-bike or on-body, these items come recommended by instructors, for instructors, whenever you are conducting bicycle training.

Remember: A working brain is the instructor’s most important asset. The ability to troubleshoot, use common sense, and draw on experience are to be relied on, particularly if an EMS provider or a shop mechanic is not readily available.

First aid supplies: for cuts and abrasions (BLS supplies can be carried by licensed EMS riders).
Sunscreen and bug repellent: to prevent and relieve pain.
Disposable gloves: for administering first aid, working on bikes, and handling filthy traffic cones.
Cell phone or radio: to summon additional resources or communicate logistics.
Camera or camera phone: for memorable moments or post-crash documentation.
IPMBA Incident Report forms and a trusty pen: in the event of property damage or injury.
Pocket class schedule: a cheat sheet to keep everything from going catawampus.
Simple tools for common repairs and adjustments: multi-tool with built-in universal chain tool and spoke wrenches preferred.
Spare tubes: Presta and Schrader, with adaptor for converting one to the other.
Tire levers: wide versions, which are tubeless tire compatible.
Patch kit / tire boot: glue and glueless.
High volume mini-pump: capable of inflating both types of valves.
Suspension pump with gauge: to tune and prevent forks and rear shocks from bottoming out.
“Zip” ties and duct tape: for assorted emergency repairs.
Light system, traffic vest and whistle: for conspicuity’s sake!
Lumber crayons or sidewalk chalk, tennis ball halves: for the impromptu obstacle course.
Tape measure: to maintain standards and settle disputes.
Assorted bolts and fasteners: for racks, toe clips, bottle cages, cleats, etc.
Optional: Fiber Fix Spoke (to temporarily replace damaged spokes), chain master links, tube valve cores and valve core tool, motivational stickers for helmets, etc.

Student Bicycle Assessment Questionnaire

Despite having been provided with a list of required equipment prior to class, students will arrive on day one with bicycles that are unsuitable for training or public safety use. The standards set for a bicycle that will be used in class are non-negotiable and are for the safety of the rider and others. Even the smallest undiagnosed defect in a bicycle can have catastrophic consequences.

We recommend that you set aside time on or before the first day of training to perform a complete and thorough check of every student bicycle. Below is a list of bike parts the Instructor should troubleshoot prior to allowing use of the bike in training. It has been designed to help you identify potential problems before they arise. This list is not all-inclusive and some remedies may require more than basic bicycle mechanic skills.

Bike Frame

Is the frame size appropriate for the rider? Consider having each student check in with their bike on the day before class starts, so an instructor can visually assess bike and rider. Otherwise, this may not be determined until Bike Fit on day one.
Is the frame free from defects or damage?

Pedals

Are the pedals in good condition?
Are they properly mounted? Are the pedal components functional and in good condition?
Is the rider familiar with the pedal system and its use? Experience and proficiency may not be proven until practice on the first day. Consider querying the students before class starts.
If the bicycle is equipped with either clipless or platform pedals, does the rider have compatible shoes? This may not be revealed until practice on day one. Consider inquiring before class starts.

Brake and Shifter Cables

Are the brake and shifter cable housing free from deformities such as cracks, kinks, or breaks? Are any of the housings too short or too long? Do the cables and ferrules appear to be free from corrosion?
Are there any exposed cables with frays, broken strands, or visible rust?
Do brake and shifter cables move freely within their cable housings? Do the brakes and shifters function properly? Are they properly mounted? Are the shifts accurate or do they hesitate between gears?
Do the brake levers pull within one thumb’s width? Consider making fine adjustments for either brake or shifters to help the student achieve optimal use, or otherwise have the student perform barrel adjustments after the lesson on Bicycle Maintenance and Repairs.
Are all brake and shifter cables attached and routed properly?

Chain

Are there any loose or bent chain links?
Is there any visible rust?
Does the chain glide smoothly and unobstructed in a straight path from the chain rings to cassette? Do the derailleur limit adjustments prevent the chain from dropping from either the lower or upper gear?
Is the chain “stretched” (elongated) more than one eighth of an inch past its original length? A ruler or chain length gauge can be used to determine this.

Chain Rings and Cassette

Are there any bent, broken, missing, or badly worn teeth on either the chain ring or cassette?
Do the chain rings and cassette appear to be clean and free of debris?
Do they move smooth and freely? Do they appear to be mounted properly?

Tires

Are the tires properly mounted on the rims?
Are there any worn or bald spots in the treads? Are there any areas where the belt wires are exposed, or other obvious deformities? Is the tread in good condition and conducive to the training surfaces?
How do the side walls of the tires look? Is there obvious dry rot? Are there abraded or worn areas from rim brakes?
Are the tires an acceptable width?
Are the tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommendations? This may need to be verified during the ABC Quick Check.

Suspension

Does the suspension bottom out with little weighted pressure?
Does there appear to be adequate air pressure in either the fork or rear shock? If not, does either retain pressure when inflated?

Spokes and Rims

Are there any loose, bent, or missing spokes? Are the spokes properly tensioned?
Do the rims have any worn or dented areas?
Are they warped and in need of truing? Can they be trued?

Miscellaneous

Place tag(s) describing any concerns, deficiencies and corrective actions on every bicycle. This will help create a near risk-free training experience and provide the student with useful feedback and training. Require students to have questionable bikes repaired or replaced before riding on day one, even if it means taking the bike to a mechanic over lunch. Loaner bikes may be an option as well.

Conclusion

Debacle, boondoggle, kerfuffle, brouhaha, or snafu: these survival essentials can help you prevent it. They do not take the place of a resourceful and crafty instructor whose responsibility it is to conduct a safe and productive bike class. However, having the tools and knowledge to perform these checks and balances prior to training, will set you – the IPMBA Instructor – on the path toward assuring a safe, productive and meaningful training for everyone involved.

The members of the IPMBA Education Committee who contributed to this article are volunteers who served under the current Board Member and former Education Director, Michael Wear. Do you have more to add to this article? Share your input via education@ipmba.org.

Photos courtesy the contributors.

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