This Is IPMBA!
Authored by: Thomas Zermeno, PCI #1390T-B, EMSCI #412T-B, Norman (OK) Police Department, IPMBA Board of Directors, Vice President
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” -Margaret Mead
This quote by Margaret Mead reminds me of the 2026 IPMBA Conference that was held in Amarillo, Texas. And the conference reminds me of, you guessed it, a movie. The movie that I am referencing is 300, which portrays the battle between 300 Spartans led by King Leonidas and the countless Persian army led by King Xerxes. This year’s conference was different from previous ones because of the number of students. While it did not have the typical large attendance, the number of students who showed made a huge difference in the world of public safety cycling. This is, of course, where the quote, “This is Sparta!” comes to mind. THIS IS IPMBA. We showed up and we stood together to make this conference a success regardless of the number.
We. Showed. Up.
This is what makes the IPMBA conference different from other training opportunities. “In the end, a Spartan’s true strength is the warrior next to him. So give respect and honor to him, and it will be returned to you.” This quote was referencing the Spartan phalanx and how it best operates when they all work together, depending on each other for their combined strength. We made it a success because we stood together and faced the challenge. During the conference, we provide training opportunities that can only be received at the conference. In addition to the main classes such as the Instructor Course, Basic Course, PESCII course, and the Bicycle Response Team Training course, we offer skills development and instructor development courses. Oh, and this year we brought back the competition, but in a whole new way!
There is value in learning alongside other public safety cyclists. As in 300, when King Leonidas is talking to the Arcadians who show up to help, he states, “You see, old friend, I brought more soldiers than you did.” We all show up for the same reason with a common shared interest. We show up to learn and to support each other. Networking is one of the most important aspects of the IPMBA conference. Each attendee gains the experience of the training coupled with the opportunity to meet face-to-face with other public safety cyclists from across the world. The learning extends beyond the classroom as each attendee gains knowledge about how other public safety cyclists are running and maintaining their teams. They get to exchange ideas, techniques, and lessons learned in their professions. Throughout the conference, we arrange social gatherings and extracurriculars to allow for this interaction.
Connections and professional relationships also occur for those who attend. Like King Leonidas said to King Xerxes in 300, “Haven’t you noticed? We’ve been sharing our culture with you all morning.” Every time I have attended the conference, I meet someone new across the organization who has had a lasting effect on my future with IPMBA and as a public safety cyclist. We bring in professionals from across the organization so that we don’t have to… ahem… reinvent the wheel, so to speak. This includes professionals from the industry that provide tools and cycling materials that make us successful, safe, comfortable, and look cool in the process!
Each conference provides the attendees with a set of skills and ideas that each can take back to their respective agencies and apply.
Attendees learn about e-bikes, skill stations, advanced skills stations, maintenance and repairs, and more that can assist them in managing their own fleet of bicycles. They even learn that their bicycles will still work given the proper upkeep. They won’t have to be like when Dilios stated, “It’s just an eye. The gods saw fit to grace me with a spare.” They will learn a way to use and maintain their equipment properly.
The IPMBA conference has value, and I would encourage anyone able to attend to make it part of their plan. There was hesitance coming out to Amarillo, Texas, due to the time of year and perception that it was going to be too hot. But our fantastic hosts from the Amarillo Police Department were able to secure a 60,000 (yes, thousand) square foot covered pavilion with a concrete floor providing adequate shade and area for ALL of our skills stations used by EACH of the courses during the week. This allowed us to be like the Spartans; according to Stelios, “we will fight in the shade.” It made for a comfortable, fun, and safe week. Plus, as mentioned before, the conference has numerous social gatherings where we sit back, enjoy some snacks and adult beverages, while sharing stories and getting to know each other.
So, keep checking your emails, check your calendars, prepare yourself for adventure, and start planning for the 2027 IPMBA Conference that is coming soon. I hope to see you all there so that we can stand together, laugh together, and live together.
Stay safe, my friends!
Thomas joined the Norman Police in 2009. He is currently assigned to night shift patrol and is the training coordinator and instructor for the bike team. He has been active with IPMBA since 2011, after taking the IPMBA Police Cyclist Course. He was certified as PCI in 2013 at the IPMBA Conference in Baton Rouge, LA, and cross-trained as an EMSCI in 2017. He became an Instructor Trainer in 2019, attended the Bicycle Response Team Training in 2020, and BRT Instructor certified in 2021. He currently serves on the IPMBA Board of Directors as the Vice President. He can be reached at Thomas.Zermeno@yahoo.com.