2010 Conference Highlights Summer 2010 ipmbaNewsletter of the International Police news Mountain Bike Association IPMBA: Promoting and Advocating Education and Organization for Public Safety Bicyclists. Vol. 19, No. 3 Operation Velo Trail Patrol by Maureen Becker A Proactive Approach to Public Safety on Trails Executive Director n May 1, 2010, Deputy Chief Constable Andy Bliss of by Danny McCullough, PCI #1142 the Essex Police Force (UK) launched Operation Velo, Three Rivers Park District Police (MN) an initiative designed to get more cops on bikes more Three Rivers Park Police have played an active role in developing O often. DCC Bliss has challenged the members of the safety protocols relating to trail safety, including trail educational force to pedal 100,000 miles in a six-month period. efforts and enforcement in the greater metro area. A number of staff have presented regionally on this issue and/or serve on committees at Although this ambitious goal has generated excitement amongst the state level to address trail safety. Lisa Austin, MNDOT Bicycle the officers and the community at large, Operation Velo is not and Pedestrian Planner, requested that Three Rivers Public Safety really about the miles. Operation Velo is about encouraging submit this article to the Minnesota Police Chiefs magazine outlining officers to engage in a highly effective form of policing. To quote some of the innovative things we have done to improve trail safety. Bliss, “The bike patrols are significant in helping to combat crime ccording to the League of American Bicyclists, and disorder. They increase police visibility, are green, Minnesota consistently ranks in the top five for inexpensive and help our officers keep fit. But most importantly, bicycle-friendly states. This is primarily due to they allow our officers to engage and stop and talk with members the state’s huge network of trail systems and bike of the public whilst on patrol, something A lanes coupled with efforts to reduce riding they couldn’t do if they were in a car.” congestion through innovative trail designs and safe riding Essex is not alone in rediscovering the opportunities. However, as more commuters choose to bike to effectiveness of the public safety cyclists. work, road congestion as well as bicyclist vs. motorist A sampling of headlines from the past conflicts will continue to rise. few months reads as follows: Berkeley In 2009, the 100-plus miles of regional trails patrolled by (CA) cops to ditch their cars for bikes… Three Rivers Park District received an estimated 2.2 million Monck’s Corner (SC) Paramedic bike visits. Regional trails in the St. Louis Park and Hopkins area team cuts down on response time… accounted for 727,000 visits and the Dakota Rail Regional Karvolac police hop on bikes (Croatia)… Trail, which traverses picturesque communities along the Cops on bikes help clean Baguio’s air, shores of Lake Minnetonka, experienced over 250,000 visits. collect garbage (Philippines)…Niagara Falls (NY) bike patrol These numbers do not include visits on trails that connect to fights crime and builds relations…Mountain bike pursuit results in the Three Rivers Regional Trail network, such as the popular arrest (Wales)…Nishnawbe Aski (Ontario) Police Service to (Continued on page 26) increase bike patrol…Leland Grove (IL) bike officers having impact on seat belt enforcement… Humberside (UK) police roll out officers on bikes to help reduce carbon footprint…Sussex inside County (DE) Paramedics pedal to the rescue…Operation Velo nets cannabis factory. Board Profiles ........................................................... 27 In the spirit of Operation Velo, IPMBA challenges you to set new Corporate Members .................................................. 14 goals for yourself and your bike team. Ride a few extra shifts. Instructor Corner....................................................... 17-18 Work an event on bike. Stop and talk to more residents or visitors Issue Focus: 2010 Conference Highlights ............... 5-12 Attack of the 999 Cones ....................................... 7 than ever before. Pedal the alleys, parks, and paths in your Back to Reality..................................................... 6 jurisdiction. Keep track of your statistics – citizen contacts, Conference Instructors ......................................... 11 crimes thwarted, ambulance runs cancelled, lost people found, Conference Vendors and Supporters..................... 10 gallons of gasoline saved, miles pedaled. Photo Montage..................................................... 8 As summer draws to a close, reflect upon your accomplishments. Second to None ................................................... 6 Did having a goal propel you to new heights? Were you able to Support Those Who Support You ......................... 9 overcome resistance? Do more citizens know your name? Did Industry..................................................................... 14 you demonstrate your worth by the numbers? Product Purchase Program Updates...................... 14 Member News .......................................................... 20-25 If you are proud of what you have accomplished, send your story News from the UK .................................................... 15 to [email protected] by September 24, 2010, for publication in President’s Column ................................................... 2 theIPMBA Fall 2010NEWS, issue VOL. of 19,IPMBA NO. News. 3 1 President’s Column 20 Years in the Making n May 6, 2010, the 20th Annual Police on Bikes and known as the International Police O International Police Mountain Bike Mountain Bike Association. Association Conference kicked off in The dedication exhibited by these two men is Chesterfield, MO, co-hosted by St. Louis admirable. Truthfully, I don’t think this organization Metropolitan and Chesterfield Police would be able to survive without their efforts and Departments. Those who participated in similar ones put forth by many members, both past and the pre-conference training had already present. IPMBA is a strong and vibrant organization enjoyed a full week of activities, and were with a bright future. Our direction is guided by past looking forward to and current members, for future InIn anan ageage whenwhen fewfew peoplepeople another three days of challenging and members. It is an exciting time to be plan on working at the same informative bike training. During the involved as we can take this paying job for 20 years, Opening Ceremonies, special organization to heights limited only by making this level of recognition was given to two our imaginations. gentlemen who have somehow commitment to a volunteer managed to attend each and every one training organization puts I challenge each of you to carry forward of the 20 conferences — Gary these two men into a the legacy of our predecessors by McLaughlin, PCI #005T, and Tom singular category. becoming more involved with IPMBA. Woods, PCI #010T. In an age when Join a committee, run for the board, few people plan on working at the same paying job for write an article, become an instructor, 20 years, making this level of commitment to a submit a new workshop, or serve as an ambassador of volunteer training organization puts these two men into bicycling goodwill within your community. Just get a singular category. Both were involved in the creation involved. of the original IPMBA, a program of the League of I personally thank each and every person and American Wheelmen (now League of American organization which has contributed to making the Bicyclists), and contributed to the transformation of that International Police Mountain Bike Association what it organization into the independent entity incorporated as is, and what it will become. BECOME AN IPMBA INSTRUCTOR ipmba news Newsletter of the INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION 583 Frederick Road, Suite 5B Baltimore, MD 21228 PH: 410-744-2400 ~ FX: 410-744-5504 E-mail: [email protected] Join the ranks of more than 1,000 of your fellow public Web site: www.ipmba.org David Hildebrand safety bicyclists by becoming an IPMBA Instructor. IPMBA President Maureen Becker Executive Director; Managing Editor all 410-744-2400 or email [email protected] for an instructor Jennifer Horan Design and Layout C application packet. In the simplest of terms, to become an Instructor, you must meet the criteria outlined in the packet, apply Copyright 2010 © International Police Mountain Bike Association (IPMBA). to IPMBA headquarters, be approved, then register for and attend Reproduction without permission is prohibited. one of the Instructor Courses. Upcoming courses will be held The International Police Mountain Bike Association promotes the use of bikes for public safety, August 23-27, 2010, in Tacoma, WA; December 6-10, 2010, in provides resources and networking opportunities, and offers the best, most complete training for Baton Rouge, LA; and April 9-13, 2011, in Richmond, VA. public safety cyclists. IPMBA Membership is $50.00 per year. Check out www.ipmba.org for Interested in submitting an article? Interested in advertising in IPMBA News? Instructor Course information. Email [email protected] for information. 2 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Summer 2010 IPMBA NEWS, VOL. 19, NO. 3 3 4 INTERNATIONAL POLICE MOUNTAIN BIKE ASSOCIATION, Summer 2010 The 20th Annual IPMBA Conference 2010 marked the occasion of the 20th Annual IPMBA Conference. Since 1991, the IPMBA conference has been known as the premier training event