NBDA Launches Industry-Wide Safety Initiative Calling for Voluntary Adoption of UL Certification Standards

National Bicycle Dealers Association leads proactive effort to enhance e-bike and e-mobility device safety across retail channels

The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) today announced a comprehensive safety initiative calling on all bicycle industry stakeholders—manufacturers, distributors, and retailers—to voluntarily adopt product certification to UL 2849, UL 2271, and UL 2272 standards for e-bikes, batteries, and personal e-mobility devices.

The announcement accompanies the release of the NBDA’s formal position statement issued in July 2025, which formally endorses and advocates for voluntary UL certification across the bicycle industry. This proactive industry-wide effort aims to protect consumers, reduce liability risks for retailers, and preserve the credibility of the rapidly growing cycling and e-mobility sector before regulatory mandates are imposed.

Taking Leadership on Safety

“In the absence of government mandates, the bicycle industry has an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and commitment to best practices,” said Heather Mason, Executive Director of the NBDA. “Our formal position statement makes it clear—we’re not waiting for regulation, we’re leading with responsibility. By voluntarily adopting UL standards now, we take a united stand for safety, professionalism, and the long-term strength of the bicycle industry.”

Formal Industry Position

The NBDA’s July 2025 formal position statement represents a comprehensive commitment to safety standards across the industry. The statement outlines four key rationales for voluntary UL certification:

• Consumer Safety First – UL standards ensure rigorous safety testing and reduce risks of battery fires, electrical malfunctions, and system failures
• Retailer Protection – Certified products help mitigate liability exposure and protect shops from potential property damage, insurance complications, and loss of customer trust
• Industry Leadership – Voluntary adoption positions the industry as proactive, responsible, and committed to best practices
• Market Confidence – UL certification fosters greater confidence in products at both retail and consumer levels

“UL standards represent a critical step toward improving consumer safety, reducing risk in retail environments, and upholding the integrity and credibility of the cycling industry,” Mason explained.

Critical Safety Standards

The NBDA’s call to action centers on three critical UL certification standards that must be performed by Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs):

• UL 2849 – Electrical Systems for eBikes (complete system safety)
• UL 2271 – Batteries for use in Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) applications
• UL 2272 – Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices (e.g., hoverboards)

Protecting Retailers and Consumers

The initiative directly addresses growing safety concerns and liability exposure facing specialty bicycle retailers. By promoting UL-certified products, the NBDA aims to help retailers:

• Reduce risk and prevent safety incidents like fires
• Improve insurance eligibility and strengthen shop integrity
• Maintain customer trust through transparent safety practices
• Meet OSHA regulatory compliance requirements for commercial operations

“Retailers face increasing exposure to safety-related liability,” explained Mason. “Our mission is to empower and safeguard specialty bicycle retailers by giving them the tools and knowledge to confidently choose safe products and partners.”

Industry-Wide Commitment Required

The NBDA emphasizes that effective safety standards require participation across the entire supply chain. The association is calling on:

Manufacturers and Suppliers to lead with certified products and commit to third-party testing by Nationally Recognized Testing Labs (NRTLs)

Retailers to demand certified inventory, sell certified products, and participate in safe storage and customer education

Industry Partners to advocate for this safety-first transformation

NRTL Testing: The Gold Standard

The initiative specifically promotes testing by Nationally Recognized Testing Labs (NRTLs), which provides:

• OSHA regulatory compliance for commercial distribution and retail operations
• The most rigorous evaluation standards available
• Mandatory follow-up testing and factory inspections
• Ongoing compliance monitoring throughout production lifecycles

Join the Movement: NBDA Safety Pledge

The NBDA has launched the comprehensive “NBDA Safety Pledge” program that brings together retailers and suppliers across the bicycle and micromobility industry to take a leadership role in advancing product safety. The program features separate commitment tracks for retailers and suppliers, each with specific safety standards and best practices.

Retailer Safety Pledge commits participating retailers to:

• Sell only road-legal, safety-tested e-bikes from trusted suppliers
• Repair e-bikes only in accordance with manufacturer instructions
• Supply only safety-tested chargers and batteries with full compatibility documentation
• Provide complete safety information and user instructions with all products

Supplier Safety Pledge commits participating manufacturers to:

• Certify all applicable e-bike products to UL 2849 standard
• Certify all battery products to UL 2271 standard
• Certify all electrical system products to UL 2272 standard
• Provide complete safety documentation and user instructions
• Work exclusively with certified component suppliers

Participating companies receive public recognition on the NBDA website, marketing support through NBDA campaigns, and suppliers earn the official NBDA “Safety Pledge” badge for use on websites, packaging, and marketing materials.

“Consumer safety is not optional—it’s essential,” stated Mason. “We’re calling on every stakeholder in our industry to join us in raising the standard and protecting the consumers who trust us with their mobility needs.”

For more information about the NBDA Safety Initiative and to sign the Safety Pledge, visit the NBDA website.