BRUSSELS, Belgium – The European Commission announced the start of a complete revision of the existing bicycle safety standards. The European Committee for Standardization (CEN) wants to revise the following existing standards:

• EN 14764:2005 City and trekking bicycles — Safety requirements and test methods
• EN 14766:2005 Mountain-bicycles — Safety requirements and test methods
• EN 14781:2005 Racing bicycles — Safety requirements and test methods
• EN 14872:2006 Bicycles — Accessories for bicycles — Luggage carriers

These safety standards have been drawn up by CEN between 1998 and 2005 based on the worldwide ISO 4210 in combination with basic European products safety requirements. Since then these minimum requirements apply to all member states of the European Community.

These EN standards for bicycles have been criticized by many in the industry as inadequate. Main reason for the criticism is that fatigue tests do not apply to fully assembled bikes while the standards for sub-assemblies and components specify only very basic and minimal requirements.

Kids bikes

In its announcement the European Commission clearly states that it is necessary to define security requirements for kids bikes and therefore the Commission wants a European safety standard for children’s bicycles which are not used as toys as specified as such in the safety standard for toys (directive 2009/48/EU).

“We welcome this initiave of the European Commission”, says Ernst Brust of German test facility Velotech. “Safety standards are in the industry’s interest as it protects the manufacturer in case of a legal dispute. Safety standards are also an important guide for product developers. Therefore we will assist the European Commission by providing all the information they need to review the safety standards.”