CABDA West Expo: Back for 2020

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by Clint Sandusky, former PCI #849/EMSCI #159
Riverside (CA) Community College District Police Dept. (ret.)

For those of you that still don’t know what “CABDA” is, it is the Chicagoland Area Bike Dealers Association. So what are they doing out west in SoCal? With the demise of the long-running and nationwide Interbike, CABDA and other promoters have picked up the slack!

Advertised as “North America’s Fastest-Growing Bicycle Show,” CABDA’s 2020 plans included expos near San Diego (CABDA West), Chicagoland (CABDA Midwest), New York Metro (CABDA East), and an Industry Summit at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. Despite the looming shadow of COVID-19, all three expos went on as scheduled and were deemed a success.

These smaller and regional bicycle retailer trade shows provide a much more intimate, relaxing environment, with a focus on relationship building. But don’t let that fool you! As noted on CABDA West’s webpage: “For our second year at the Del Mar Racetrack near San Diego, we’ve expanded our floorplan by nearly 100%. We’ve added more food and lodging options, three brand new breakout areas for tech and sales seminars, and terrific indoor and outdoor demo tracks.” And once again, the parking was free!

Keynote Speaker James Stanfill of Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association (PBMA) addressed the challenges and opportunities of “Making Money in a New Decade.” I was honored to be seated at the same breakfast table as a couple from Minnesota who know one of IPMBA’s legends, Kirby Beck!

Cycling history buffs in attendance particularly enjoyed the mobile Museum of Cycling, which featured very cool memorabilia from former American Cycling Pro and Legend Greg LeMond.

Of particular interest to public safety cyclists are the forthcoming revisions to emergency light and siren systems produced by NiteRider and Serfas. Jeff Buyer of Haro Bikes told me they are investigating the possibilities of producing a POLICE e-Bike model, adding to their current conventional public safety bicycle. Muc-Off (a British company) now has a U.S. presence and offers an exciting line of bicycle cleaners, lubricants, and other products – including ones specifically formulated for e-Bikes! Other booths of interest were Defeet Socks, who indicated interest in IPMBA’s Product Purchase Program, and Hollywood Racks, which offers a rack that can hold two 80-pound e-Bikes – or heavier conventional bikes, such as sturdy, fully-equipped public safety models.

Speaking of e-Bikes, they were everywhere! Even IPMBA’s old friend, Hans “No Way” Rey, whom I saw at the show, is now an e-Bike ambassador.

My two seminars entitled “Selling e-Bikes to Law Enforcement - Understanding their Unique Needs” were well-attended and appreciated by attendees from all parts of the industry (retailers, manufacturers, patrol bike companies, and law enforcement officers, both active and retired). Some were from as far away as NYC and Washington State. I would like to thank BULLS Bikes USA, for letting me borrow one of their POLICE “Sentinel” models for my presentations. Of course, I had my personally owned 2018 Trek “Police Electric” model there as well. It was fun, an honor, and a blessing to be selected to present.

I would personally like to thank Maureen Becker for giving me the opportunity to attend the expo and in connecting me up for presenting at it as well!

Overall, I again very much enjoyed this smaller expo compared to the expanse, expense, and time commitment of past Interbike shows. But don’t just take my word for it. Below are links to two articles about CABDA West, published in the Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN). I would recommend these expos to anyone!

“CABDA West opens with education day, big growth in brands and registered retailers”

“What brings you to CABDA West?”

For more information on upcoming CABDA EXPOS, visit www.cabda.com.

Clint retired in 2016 after a 24-year law enforcement career with the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office and the Riverside Community College District Police Department. He has been an active California POST Bike Patrol Instructor since 1994. Clint joined IPMBA in 1994, completed the Advanced Police Cyclist Course in 2000 and the IPMBA Instructor Course in 2005. He taught at the 2006, 2007, 2018, and 2019 IPMBA Conferences. He is currently a member of IPMBA’s E-Bike Task Force and presents about e-Bikes at various conferences. He can be reached at clint.sandusky@gmail.com.

Photos courtesy Clint Sandusky.

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