IPMBA News

Trends in Bike Patrol

Trends in Bike Patrol

By Kirby Beck The past couple of years have seen a slow progression of police bike patrols around the United States. In the United Kingdom, however, the use of mountain bikes in public safety has virtually exploded. In the 1960...
The IPMBA Instructor Course

The IPMBA Instructor Course

By Kirby Beck Since IPMBA initiated the Police Cyclist Class in 1993, the demand for both instructors and instructor training/certification has been high.  To meet the demand, the IPMBA Board of Directors and a cadre of experienced instructors guided...
How to Start a Bicycle Patrol Unit

How to Start a Bicycle Patrol Unit

PoliceOne.com, June 2, 2004 Departments across the country reap the benefits of these silent, two-wheeled vehicle patrols.  by Mark Kariya  According to the Law Enforcement Bicycle Association, the use of mountain bikes as police tools began in 1987 in Seattle,...
Equipment and Uniforms for Bike Patrol

Equipment and Uniforms for Bike Patrol

Introduction Bicycle patrol units have become increasingly popular over the past decade. They have proven to be a cost-effective, efficient, and a meaningful supplement to traditional patrol techniques. Whether used for high-impact street enforcement, community problem-solving, public relations, special events,...
Spring Tryouts: Boston EMS Bike Team

Spring Tryouts: Boston EMS Bike Team

by Neil Blackington, EMSCI #031 Boston EMS Boston, MA Bike team try-outs are scheduled over the course of three days to afford all interested parties the opportunity to compete for a slot on the team.  The try-outs begin promptly as...
Sunshine and Rowdy Golf:  Working the Phoenix Open

Sunshine and Rowdy Golf:  Working the Phoenix Open

by Ray Morris, EMSCI #029 Scottsdale Fire Department Scottsdale, AZ February 1, 2004. Occasional clouds interrupted the warm sunshine, as temperatures in Scottsdale hovered in the low 70's. My partner and I straddle our bikes at the legendary 16th hole, the "loudest hole...
The IPMBA Police Cyclist Course

The IPMBA Police Cyclist Course

By Kathleen Vonk, Ann Arbor Police Department The administration of a newly-formed bike unit is trying to decide whether to send officers to a bike patrol school.  They think, “I rode a bike when I was a kid;...
The Vision is Becoming a Reality

The Vision is Becoming a Reality

Over ten years ago, the International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA) was founded with a vision.  That vision was that someday the organization would serve the training and resource needs of public safety cyclists around the globe.  Today,...
Starting a Bike Patrol

Starting a Bike Patrol

by Lt. Tom Woods, Denton PD, TX During the advent of the modern era of police bike patrol in the mid-to-late ‘80’s, law enforcement agencies exploring the idea of starting a bike unit encountered a dearth of information....