Is the USA Finally Ready to Update Requirements for Bikes & E-Bikes?

US bike regulations were written for the 1970's "bike-boom". Do they have any relevance for the "E-bike-boom"?

After decades of delay, the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is now requesting public comment to update federal bike & E-bike product safety requirements. US bike requirements (CFR 16, Section 1512) were mostly written in the 70's and reflect a much simpler time in cycling technology. Back then, lugged steel frames, rim brakes, chrome-plated rims and quill stems were all standard equipment. The CPSC regulations do not address aluminum, titanium and carbon fiber frame materials, suspension forks and disc-brakes among many other tech standard on modern bikes. Today, fully integrated electrical systems for shifting and lighting are common on all types of bikes. Not to mention the explosive popularity of E-bikes. Overall, US safety regulations are lagging half a century behind modern bike design and technology.

In a confusing move, the CPSC has combined general public comment for bicycles & E-bikes regulations with a specific modification of the coaster brake (pedal brake) rule for some children's bicycles. You can see the open CPSC docket and post public comments HERE. The CPSC comment period for Bikes and E-Bikes requirements will end July 25, 2023.

Since 2021, the CPSC has received growing numbers of complaints and incident reports regarding overheating or igniting lithium-ion battery packs. In the post-COVID E-bike & micromobility boom, greater numbers of high-output battery powered devices are now on the roads, trails and carried on public transit than ever before. Likewise, E-bikes & micromobility devices have become commonplace in homes, apartments and workplaces. Pressure is mounting on the CPSC to take action to modernize design requirements and safety regulations for E-bikes.

Currently, CPSC bike regulations lack any requirements or guidance for E-bike electrical systems that are possible contributing factors to high-risk failures. Clear regulatory guidance could standardize:

• battery management systems (BMS) controls and features,

• electrical system testing and validation,

• moisture and impact protection for battery packs and controllers,

• heat monitoring and shutdown systems for batteries & chargers... and so on,

Other regulatory bodies in the UK and EU have been proactive with technical standards for modern features of bicycles and E-bikes (EN/ISO). For example, CPSC bike requirements only addresses non-powered reflectors for bikes. In comparison, ISO requirements give clear guidance on the position and types of powered bicycle lighting for both conventional and E-bikes. This includes guidance on lighted turn signals for some classes of urban cargo E-bikes.

Many E-bike and micromobility brands already voluntarily follow ISO and UL E-bike standards. However, the outdated CPSC regulations provide the agency little proactive guidance or enforcement power for new E-bike products entering the US marketplace. Feedback from a former CPSC employee has recommended the CPSC to adopt existing EN/ISO bike safety and performance requirements and ASTM and UL E-bike electrical requirements. This could raise the bar on new product safety testing and qualification. It would also help bike brands to standardize design and manufacturing of E-bikes between the US and global markets.

So far, a majority of public comments submitted to the CPSC have focused on modifying the coaster brake requirement for some children's bikes. This matter is so specific and detailed it deserves a separate explanation and discussion.

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