IPMBA Product Reviews
Interbike 2015: The Show of the Year
by Ramon Colon, PCI #825 Metropolitan (DC) Police Department (retired) On September 16-18, 2015, the Interbike Expo was held at the Mandalay Bay Hotel and Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thousands of vendors, representing bicycle frame builders, nutritional products, clothing...
ProGold Lubricants
by Gary Strang, PCI #1457 London (ON) Police Service IPMBA Membership Coordinator It’s not often I feel motivated to talk about lubrication products. With so many choices out there, it matters more that you’re just using...
Safety Vision Prima Facie Body Camera
by Samuel Kordik Cypress Creek (TX) EMS Our department recently had the opportunity to test and evaluate Safety Vision’s Prima Facie body camera. This small device, just a little bigger than a pack of cards, is designed...
EPIC-id™: Electronic Medical Information Form
by Sean Regan, EMSCI #267 Lynchburg (VA) Fire Department This is the electronic version of the IPMBA emergency form that we all carry in our left front pocket during classes. The EPIC-id™ is a wearable USB medical information bracelet that...
C3Sports MaxPatrol-600
by Mo Ibrahim, PCI #1326-B/EMSCI #321-B Metropolitan (DC) Police Department As I was waiting at a red light with my left foot down, and right foot in the power pedal position, a car pulled up alongside me. I looked...
“Your Day Will Come”
by Kirby Beck, PCI #002T/EMSCI #017T Coon Rapids (MN) Police Department (retired) I still remember the day some 25 or more years ago when one of the senior patrol officers sat down next to me to write a report. ...
Dual SLR 2 Pro: The “Perfect” Solution
by Mike Harris, PCI #1125 Mill Creek (WA) Police Department (Retired) IPMBA Treasurer Several years ago I started to notice that my arms were getting a little short while checking ID’s, so I went to my doctor. The...
Switch box helps bike patrol keep hands on
By Jeffrey Sykes, Editor, Yesweekly.com November 4, 2015 Let’s say you’re one of Greensboro’s finest bike patrol officers and you simultaneously need to take off pedaling for all you’re worth and...
Bell Super 2R: Tackle Challenges
by Pat Hernandez, PCI #834T/EMSCI #161T, Albuquerque (NM) Police Department (Retired) The Bell Super2R helmet was designed for and marketed to enduro racers and big-mountain riders, but other user groups might enjoy and benefit from it, including...
Tifosi Dolomite 2.0 Tactical Sunglasses
by Jared Williams, PCI #1214, Tacoma (WA) Police Department, Industry Relations Committee Since the start of my law enforcement career over 10 years ago, I have been a firm believer in Oakley’s line of sunglasses, having owned the...
Cool Stuff from C3Sports
by James Englert, PCI #1081, Arapahoe County (CO) Sheriff’s Office, IPMBA Industry Liaison I recently bought two products from C3Sports: the C3Sports Compact Police Bike Siren and Mini Pursuit Police Bike Light. C3Sports...
BioLogic FixKit Multi-Tool
by Jeff Britton, PCI #1205, Central Point (OR) Police Department I have been using the BioLogic FixKit multi-tool for several months. When I opened up the package, I was extremely impressed with the high-quality aluminum and chrome material used in...
Bike Sonar Is Helping Police Catch Drivers Who Squeeze Cyclists
The three-foot rule used to be impossible to enforce. But now your bike can enforce it for you. By Adele Peters, FastCoexist.com, July 30, 2015 Florida handed out around 500 tickets last year to drivers who veered too close to cyclists when...
Interbike 2014: No Disappointment!
by James Englert, PCI #1081, Arapahoe (CO) County Sheriffs Office, IPMBA Industry Liaison The 2014 Interbike was no disappointment. This year I attended the country’s largest bicycle industry trade show with IPMBA VP Bob Hatcher. I...
Hatch Cycling Gloves
by Scott Elliott, PCI #915/EMSCI #198, Niagara Regional (ON) Police Service There are many cycling glove manufacturers out there. There are various features that all cyclists want out of a glove. These include fit, features and performance. When you...
Jandd EMS Panniers and Top Bag
by Michael Salvatore, Westport (CT) EMS In 2010, when I was starting our EMS Bicycle Response Unit, I did some hard research on which panniers and top bags would work best for our department. We decided on the Jandd...
2014 Trek Stache 7
by Jared Williams, PCI #1214, Tacoma (WA) Police Department, IPMBA Industry Relations Committee 2014 marked the second year of production for the Trek Stache model. For 2014, Trek offered three versions of the bike, with varying component specs (models 6, 7, and 8). ...Dream Bike 2015: Your Product Purchase Program at Work
By Rob Collett, EMSCI #263, Poudre Valley (CO) Hospital EMS, IPMBA Industry Relations Committee Happy New Year! Welcome to 2015. It is hard to believe another year has flown by. If you are like many other people...
ProGold: Lubes that Work
by Matthew Worm, PCI #946, Omaha (NE) Police Department Having been involved with recreational and professional cycling for many years, I have witnessed the many evolutions of bicycle lubricants. It really did start many years ago in my garage...
Swagman Titan Two Bike Rack: Almost Great
by Rob Collett, EMSCI #263, Poudre Valley (CO) Hospital EMS What is the most important piece of equipment you use as a bicycle responder? Go ahead: name that one, single piece. Answering that question is very difficult for...
Bar Mitts: Get Ready for Winter
by James Englert, PCI #1081 Arapahoe County (CO) Sheriff’s Office IPMBA Industry Liaison One of my goals at Interbike is to find products to suggest to instructors and members of IPMBA. This is a difficult task because...
Hero Kit: Save the Day
by David Hekel, San Dieguito River Park (CA) Mountain Bike Patrol I first saw an ad for the Hero Kit in the back of the September 2013 edition of Mountain Bike Action. Since I run a mountain bike patrol...
MaxPatrol-600 Bike Patrol Light
by Jameson Lehn, PCI #1243/EMSCI #320, Metropolitan (DC) Police Department The Code 3 Sports MaxPatrol-600 light consists of two parts. The first is a high-quality and very powerful CREE LED center beam light, with low and high beam modes. ...
Cascade Wear Ltd.
by Kyle Gallinger, PCI #1280/EMSCI #277, Carleton University (ON) Department of Public Safety Imagine ordering a uniform for everyone in your unit and having them all fit properly, even if they are 4’11” or 6’6”, 100 lbs or 300 lbs. ...
H&H Medical POCKET Trauma Kit
by Mike Fults, Los Angeles (CA) School Police (retired) IPMBA Industry Relations Committee While I was helping staff the IPMBA booth at the NASRO Conference in July, I met Scott Stein from H&H Medical Corporation. He...
iXS Trail RS Scores a Hat-Trick
by Mitch Trujillo, PCI #244T/EMSCI #248T, Boulder (CO) Police Department I was seeking a helmet that provided “fit, form, and function”. After several brand trials, I could only get two out of the three. ...
ABUS: Security for your Ride
by Marc Zingarelli, EMSC #179/SCI #002, Circleville (OH) Fire Department If you ask most people who ABUS is, you’ll probably get a blank look unless you’re talking to someone from Europe. ABUS is a German...
Mobile Edge: Bring it On
by Jared Williams, PCI #1214 Tacoma (WA) Police Department The Mobile Edge UrgentPower is a universal smartphone battery for backup power. When connected to your mobile device, it provides additional hours of run time. It comes with a USB...
Whistle a Tune of Safety
by Josh Stilts Northwest Business Monthly Bob Cameron knows what it feels like to be lost. When Cameron turns 74 this April he will have spent more than half a century aiding those who are lost. As honoree of the 2009 &ldquo...
Duro “Berm Master” Tire
By Jeff Britton, PCI #1205 Central Point (OR) Police Department While at Interbike last September, I stopped by the Duro Tire booth and was introduced to Duro representative Rick Emmert. Rick and I discussed different tires made by Duro that...
Trek 29er Police Bicycle
by Dominic Scali, PCI #1382 Anne Arundel County (MD) Police Department Springtime 2012. The Anne Arundel County Police Department Bike Unit was ready to purchase new bikes for 2013. Our lineup has been composed of Fujis and Treks for the past...
Electric Bikes: Hype or Hope?
by David Cohen MNCPPC Park Police Reserves, Montgomery Division As an avid cyclist, my first reaction to the concept of an electric bike is negative. By putting a motor into the equation, you reduce the health benefits of riding...
Shimano Click ‘R Pedal and Shoes
by Troy Gielish, PCI #1136/EMSCI #269 Irvine (CA) Police Department Fellow public safety cyclists, I had to take a minute to share my experience with the new Click’R shoe and pedal systems by Shimano. I have been a...
The Guardian Angel: The Police View
by Jeff Britton, PCI #1205 Central Point (OR) Police Department The Guardian Angel personal safety lighting system is manufactured by 425 Inc., a personal safety device company founded in 2010 and headquartered in Mount Pleasant, Wisconsin. According to a press release, the...
The Guardian Angel: The EMS View
by Sean Regan, EMSCI #267 Lynchburg (VA) Fire Department The Guardian Angel is a personal safety mini light bar that is intended to be worn on the uniform (epaulet) of a public safety official. The unit can be used by...
X-Fire Bikelane Light System: A Product Good for Personal Use
by Charles O’Roake, PCI #1201 Federal Reserve Bank of Houston (TX) Police Like others of you, I first found out about the X-Fire lighting system from a fellow instructor who posted their informational video to the instructor Google Group....
JET Lites F-U2
by Matthew Worm, PCI #946/EMSCI #256 Omaha (NE) Police Department One evening I was thinking “how can I further improve bicycle patrol and make life easier for my brothers and sisters on the beat?” That’s when...
Detours Panniers: These Bags Won’t Detour You from Your Mission
by Craig Lepkowski, PCI # 1180/EMSCI #272 Lake Forest (IL) Police Department IPMBA Secretary About a year and a half ago, after meeting Shawn Parks from Detours at the 2012 IPMBA Conference, I treated myself to both the D2R handlebar bag (now...
Interbike 2013: New and Noteworthy
by James Englert, PCI #1081 Arapahoe County (CO) Sheriffs Office IPMBA Industry Liaison This past September, I attended the Interbike Expo in Las Vegas with former Membership Coordinator Tony Holte. Interbike is the premier retail expo for the cycling industry. ...BHSI Annual Helmet Review for 2014
The Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute has published the annual review of helmets and helmet technology. Summary: Our review finds no radical safety improvement this year that would compel you to replace your current helmet, although new and promising technology is...Tifosi Veloce Sunglasses
by Jeff Britton, PCI #1205 Central Point (OR) Police Department Industry Relations Committee As a bike patrol officer, supervisor and IPMBA Instructor, I am constantly trying to find eye protection that looks professional, meets IPMBA standards for impact resistance, and has...Fenix Lighting: AF02 Flashlight Bike Mount and PD30 Flashlight
by Jared Williams, PCI #1214 Tacoma (WA) Police Department Industry Relations Committee I recently tested two products from Fenix Lighting: the PD30 flashlight and the AF02 mount. PD30 Flashlight Technical details: The PD 30 is an LED light powered by...Safariland/Kona Patrol Bike is Ready for Duty
by Lindsey Bertomen I recently tested the new Safariland/Kona Patrol Bike, a purpose-built patrol bike with advanced features. This bicycle can really go anywhere, short of climbing telephone poles. Despite the all-day riding comfort and performance, it can tote...RAND Brands: Do it with Momentum!
by Michael Salvatore Westport (CT) EMS As a long time paramedic, gun enthusiast, and IPMBA member, I felt compelled to share with you some information regarding a new company that I have been introduced to and become involved with. ...NiteIze: Innovative Products and Accessories
by Craig Lepkowski, PCI #1180/EMSCI #272 Lake Forest (IL) Police Department At the IPMBA Conference 2012 in St. Paul, I came across a vendor who was selling and handing out mini-bungee cords and s-clip carabiners from a company called NiteIze. Intrigued,...Epic Action Cam: Relive the Rush
by Matt Smyer East Baton Rouge (LA) EMS I recently had the opportunity to use the Epic camera while working some details, including Super Bowl XLVII, on February 3, 2013, at the New Orleans Superdome. Epic is a very lightweight camera...Lift and Storage: Empty Space No More!
By Ray McCahery, EMSCI #221 Philadelphia (PA) Fire Department In the past few years more police departments and EMS agencies have been turning to bike teams as an alternative to traditional patrols in motorized vehicles. Many with existing bike programs...Toronto International Bicycle Show 2013
by Scott Elliott, PCI #915/EMSCI #198 Niagara Regional (ON) Police Service For those of you who have read my annual Toronto Bicycle Show articles in the past (both of you), you may find my approach a little different this year. No,...Get More Space on Your Handlebars
by David Kumhyr Travis County (TX) Sheriff’s Office I suspect like most riders your handlebars are already fully taken up by accessories, and you’re looking for space to mount one more trick gizmo. My bike is...Genuine Innovations Mountain Pipe Pump
by Charlie Summers, PCI #512 Illinois State University Police Department IPMBA Industry Liaison It wasn’t until recently that I became a fan of using CO2 to pump up my flat tires. I guess I’m still somewhat ...Trail-Rail Single Light
by Christopher Denshuick, PCI #1232 University of Pennsylvania Police Department I had the opportunity and privilege to demo a headlight system from Trail Rail after meeting the owners Vince and Jennifer Basile at the Police and Security Expo held in Atlantic...Panasonic Toughbook
By Tony Holte, PCI #0135/EMSCI #279 Saint Paul (MN) Police Department Last year, I was given the opportunity to test out the Panasonic Toughbook U1 Ultra Handheld Computer. I used it from March to May as a bike patrol officer...POC Trabec Helmet
by Charlie Summers, PCI #512 Illinois State University Police Department IPMBA Industry Liaison POC, the Swedish based gravity sport protection company, came to Interbike in 2011 with their new Trabec series helmets in two versions: the Trabec Race and the Trabec....Volcanic Bicycles: The Toughest Patrol Bike on Earth!
By Mike Harris, PCI #1125 Mill Creek (WA) Police Department During the 2006 IPMBA Conference in Dayton, Ohio, I was walking through the vendor area and came across the Volcanic booth, which proclaimed themselves as “The Toughest Patrol Bikes on Earth...Holster Light: A Bike-Mounted Holster for Your Light
by Susie Ochs, PCI #1183 Lake Saint Louis (MO) Police Department As bike patrol officers, we are limited in the amount and type of equipment we can carry both on our persons and on our bikes. There are items we...Interbike 2012: Hot Products
By James Englert, PCI #1081 Arapahoe County (CO) Sheriffs Office IPMBA Membership Coordinator As a new member of the IPMBA Board, I was excited to be offered the opportunity to accompany veteran board member Mitch Trujillo to Las Vegas for Interbike....Cygolite Lights the Way
by Craig Lepkowski, PCI #1180/EMSCI #272 Lake Forest Police Department (IL) Three years ago when I was selected to attend the IPMBA Instructor Course, I decided to buy and outfit my own police bike. I had nothing against the bikes my...Code 3 Max Patrol 600
by Ben Somewhere in California I am a volunteer mountain bike patrol officer for a local regional park system. The regional park that I usually patrol is considered an expert-level mountain bike park. From rocks and ruts to...EMS Equipment: What to Carry on Your Bike
by Marc Zingarelli, EMSCI #179/SCI #002 Circleville (OH) Fire Department IPMBA EMS Coordinator One of the questions most frequently asked of IPMBA EMS Cyclist Instructors (and the EMS Coordinator) is what EMS equipment to carry on the bike. The answer...Toronto International Bicycle Show 2012
by Scott Elliott, PCI #915/EMSCI #198 Niagara (ON) Regional Police Service Okay, so I know the economy has gone for a bit of a crapper but come on, not even free tickets this year? Maureen shot me an email reminding...Teny Cyclone Rims
By Joshua Rymon, PCI# 1252 Metropolitan (DC) Police Department I recently had the opportunity to test a set of wheels by Teny Rims, a company based out of Taiwan. They have been making bicycle wheels since 1990, and also produce wheels...IMPACT Radio Accessories
By John Miller, PCI #1005 Scottsdale (AZ) Police Department We police cyclists are always looking for ways to improve our ability to communicate well in the face of everyday interferences, like rain, wind, background noise, constant pedaling motion, and movement. ...Action Wipes: Ready for Action
By Scott Picquet Chandler (AZ) Police Department I attended the 2011 InterBike Expo in Las Vegas. There, amongst the thousands of products, I discovered the Action Wipe. Or, perhaps I should say, the creator, Martha Van Inwegan, discovered me....Five Ten Shoes: Pursuit and Impact
By Jeff Britton, PCI #1205 Central Point (OR) Police Department In February 2010, while attending the San Francisco Bike Expo, I met Luke Hontz, the rep for Five Ten. My experience with Five Ten started a couple of years ago when...Spenco Heatwave 2.0 Full-Fingered Glove
By David Hildebrand, PCI #404T/EMSCI #118T IPMBA President Denton (TX) Police Department For the past 15 – almost 16 – years, I have always worn half-finger gloves while biking. This included road, mountain, and patrol riding. The only time...StormQuest Saddle: Carbon Comfort
By Scott Smith Contributing Editor, Police Magazine I do not claim to be a world class rider, heavy duty rider, or a cop on bike patrol. What I am is a beat-up GI, former federal police officer and reserve...No-Nose Saddles
The Chicago Police Department and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) have created a one-minute YouTube video to create interest in the use of noseless (no-nose) bike seats among bike patrol officers. This brief video quickly...BiSaddle: Best Shock Absorber of a Seat
By Michael Maxon Omaha Police Department Ed.’s Note: This review was posted to Bycycle website and submitted to IPMBA News by BiSaddle inventor Jim Bombardier. Permission to re-post was granted by the author. My initial BiSaddle...Interbike 2011: 30 Years and Still in Vegas
By Charlie Summers, PCI #512 Illinois State University Police Department IPMBA Industry Liaison In 2011, InterBike celebrated its 30th anniversary in Las Vegas. Although initially planned for Anaheim, Ca., the show returned to Las Vegas. The tradeshow pulled out all...Hold Fast or Die
by David Millican, PCI #1006 Denton (TX) Police Department The 2011 IPMBA Conference in Richmond, Virginia, was a great success. Each year the conference provides members with a vendor show, during which many new and inventive items are placed on...Things That Make You Go Hmm
by Mitch Trujillo, PCI #244/EMSCI #248T Boulder (CO) Police Department Education Director - IPMBA Board These highly innovative products have features that should be distinctly beneficial to public safety cyclists. They have been trialed over a three month period. ...Safariland Slimline Magazine Pouch: Problem Solved!
by Bruce W. Jackson, PCI #239 So here’s the deal. I’m coming up on the 22nd anniversary of my 21st birthday. For those of you who still record age the old-fashioned way, I’m...STATPacks: You Need them Now!
By Robert Dunivin, EMSCI #205 Los Angeles (CA) Fire Department Over the last several months, I had the pleasure of evaluating several StatPacks EMS bags. With input from StatPack’s Andrew Tepper, I selected four different items, which allowed...Ironman Pro: No Cheap Sunglasses
by Kirby Beck, PCI #002T/EMSCI #017T Coon Rapids (MN) Police Department (retired) I received a pair of Ironman Pro ILS Passion model glasses to test, and at this writing, I have used them for several weeks. I&rsquo...Cycle Siren: Clearing the Way
By Sergeant John “Ski” Stasiowski, PCI #481 Northern VA Community College Police Department Town of Haymarket (VA) Police Department It’s not very often I am so impressed by a product and the customer service provided by the...BiSaddle: No-Nose Bicycle Seat
by Robert Brown North Precinct Bicycle Patrol Officer #6194 Seattle (WA) Police Department As a full time bicycle patrol officer for the past six years, I have gone through several bicycles issued to me by the city. But I faithfully...Toronto International Bicycle Show 2011
By Scott Elliott, PCI #915/EMSCI #198 Niagara (ON) Regional Police Service Once again, I made my way to the Toronto Bicycle Show, courtesy of free tickets from Maureen. This year marked a quarter century of the show, which has given...Scorpion Micro DV: One Tiny Camera
by Bruce W. Jackson, PCI #239 The College and University Police Investigators Conference (CUPIC), was held at the Sheraton Premiere in Tysons Corner, VA, in July of 2010. Maureen Becker and I were sitting at the IPMBA booth selling the heck...London International Cycle Show 2010
by the London Ambulance Service & St John Ambulance Cycle Response Units London, England The 2010 Cycle Show was even more special than usual. Firstly because it was the last time the Cycle Show will be held in Earls...Louis Garneau HRS-80 Lite Trainer
by Jeff Britton, PCI #1205 Central Point (OR) Police Department In September, I had the opportunity to attend Interbike in Las Vegas, where I met up with Charlie Summers and Mitch Trujillo. To say we were acting like kids in...Interbike 2010: We’ll be Back in Vegas Again!
by Charlie Summers, PCI #512 Illinois State University Police Department IPMBA Industry Liaison The buzz at Interbike this year was that this was the last year Interbike would be in Las Vegas. The show’s promoters scheduled Interbike to...Dream Bike 2011: Your Product Purchase Program at Work
by Brad Miller, PCI #928/EMSCI #247 Lewisburg (PA) Police Department IPMBA Membership Coordinator Are you making the most of your IPMBA membership? How much money have you saved yourself and/or your department this year? Every administrator utters the...Akslen Night Stalker
by Sergeant Jeff Britton, PCI #1205 Central Point (OR) Police Department While attending the 2010 Interbike trade show in Las Vegas, I visited the Cycle Force Group booth and found a light system that I thought was worth trying. Cycle Force...Adjustable Seatpost Revolution
by Charlie Summers, PCI #512 Illinois State University Police Department IPMBA Industry Liaison Over the last few years the adjustable seat post has taken the industry by storm. Many bike manufacturers are designing their frames to be spec’d...ArmorPur Tackles Body Armor Odor
by Bob Hatcher, PCI #629/EMSCI #103 Delaware (OH) Police Department Secretary, IPMBA Board of Directors While manning the IPMBA booth at the 2009 Great Lakes Enforcement Expo in Columbus, Ohio, I spotted an eye-catching booth. It had dozens of bottles stacked...