We Protect Retailers
NBDA’s mission is to empower and safeguard specialty bicycle retailers. Promoting certified products helps reduce risk, prevent devastating incidents like fires, and maintain customer trust.
Safety First: NBDA Calls for Industry-Wide Voluntary Adoption of UL Certification Standards
The National Bicycle Dealers Association (NBDA) is proud to lead a proactive 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. This effort is not only about product compliance—it’s about protecting lives, ensuring retailer confidence, and preserving the credibility of the cycling industry.
Why the NBDA Is Taking the Lead
Key UL Certification Standards:
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UL 2849 – Electrical Systems for eBikes (complete system safety)
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UL 2271 – Batteries for use in Light Electric Vehicle (LEV) applications
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UL 2272 – Electrical Systems for Personal E-Mobility Devices (e.g., hoverboards)
Our Commitment to Action
- Read the NBDA’s formal industry position statement supporting voluntary adoption of UL 2849, UL 2271, and UL 2272 across all e-mobility devices sold in independent bicycle retail. Click here to read the document.
- Join us in promoting third-party testing and certification by Nationally Recognized Testing Labs (NRTLs).
- Why testing by a NRTL?
- OSHA Regulatory Compliance: OSHA regulations require NRTL testing to UL standards for any e-bikes intended for sale or service in bicycle retail shops, making NRTL certification not just preferred but legally mandatory for commercial distribution and retail operations. Click here to learn more.
- Stringent Engineering Evaluation and Testing with Ongoing Compliance Monitoring: NRTL engineer evaluation and testing provides the most rigorous evaluation standards available, coupled with mandatory follow-up testing and factory inspections to ensure products maintain compliance throughout their production lifecycle, offering superior safety assurance compared to other testing pathways.
- Why testing by a NRTL?
- Join in education for our community on the benefits of certified products for consumer trust, operational safety, and long-term brand reputation.
We urge manufacturers and suppliers to lead with certified products.
Learn more and sign onto the NBDA Safety Pledge
We urge industry partners to advocate for this safety-first shift.
Consumer safety is not optional—it’s essential. Let’s raise the standard.
We urge retailers to demand certified inventory, sell certified inventory and take part in safe storage and educating customers.
Learn more and sign onto the NBDA Safety Pledge
Support the Retailers and Suppliers who have taken the NBDA Safety Pledge
Retailers and Suppliers across the bicycle and micromobility industry have been invited to take a leadership role in advancing product safety. Retailers are agreeing to sell and service to safety standards and Suppliers are agreeing to voluntarily certifying their products to UL 2849, UL 2271, and UL 2272 standards. See the Retailers and Suppliers who have taken this pledge below.
Affiliates and Partners
The NBDA unites with industry experts to ensure that safety measures and advocacy efforts are best positioned to advance all and ensure continued growth in the e mobility sector.
NBDA E-Bike Resources
Lithium-Ion Battery Safety Documents:
- Safe Charging and Storage of Lithium-Ion Batteries – Detailed guide for specialty bicycle retailers.
- Battery Safety Best Practices – One-page handout for consumers.
- Submerged Battery Advice – Document released 29 Sep, 2022.
- Consumer Submerged Battery Advisory – Document released 29 Sep, 2022.
- NYC Inspection Checklist – Inspection Checklist for Micromobility Devices and Batteries.
- Safe in in-store storage of Compromised Packs
Electrical Safety Foundation International Resources (www.esfi.org):
- Lithium-ion Battery Safety – Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org)
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: How and Where to Buy E-Bikes and Scooters – Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org)
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: Signs of a Charging or Battery Problem – Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org)
- Lithium-Ion Batteries: How to Charge and Where to Store – Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org)
- Lithium-Ion Battery Safety: New York City – Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org)
- Be Smart About Fire & Electrical Safety – Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org)
- Kids Corner – Electrical Safety Foundation (esfi.org)
UL Solutions Certification Link:
- UL Solutions, a global independent safety science company with more than a century of expertise innovating safety solutions, has provided a listing of all brands that has tested with UL to meet standards. The list is available here: Download the Guide on Their Retailer Page
Electric Bike Laws – State by State:
- E Bike Classes and State Laws – https://ebikes.org/ebike-classes-state-laws/
- Electric bicycle (e-bike) laws are different in every state, and can be confusing for riders, retailers, and suppliers. PeopleForBikes is making riding an electric bicycle easy and accessible for all. Find your state’s specific rules here: FDNY Smart E-Bike Guidance
NBDA E-Bike Database:
- The NBDA is compiling an e-bicycle specific database that focuses on current certifications and insurances held. The intent of the database is to create a quick-access resource for our members to be able to review multiple e-bicycle brands and their certifications held. If you would like to be included, please fill out the form below. If your information changes at any point, please edit your information so that the database remains current. The database will be under constant review by both the NBDA and associated firms, testing labs, and brokers to ensure the information submitted is accurate. Although the NBDA and above mentioned partners will do our due diligence to ensure accuracy, the NBDA and partners cannot be held liable for inaccurate information found within. Access to the database is open to the public, and all companies regardless of NBDA membership status may submit and edit data within.
Shipping and Transport
- What I Learned from D.O.T. – Karen Wiener at the New Wheel
- https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/understanding-risks-damaged-defective-or-recalled-ddr-lithium-batteries
- https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/sites/phmsa.dot.gov/files/2022-01/Test%20Summary%20Brochure%20web.pdf
- https://www.phmsa.dot.gov/training/hazmat/lithium-battery-guide-shippers
- Packaging and Shipping Lithium ion Batteries and Battery Powered Vehicles by Motor Vehicle within the United States
Recycling
Call2Recycle is the nation’s leading battery stewardship organization. With the support of over 60 leading brands, Call2Recycle is administering a nationwide e-bike battery recycling solution for retailers and riders of participating brands.
- Find a list of participating brands here.
- Enroll as a collection site here.
- Questions? Email ebikeprogram@call2recycle.org
Ebike Saftey
- UL Standards E Bike Safety Webpage: https://ebikesafety.ulse.org/#learn-about-risks
- E Bike Safety on Colleges and Campuses: https://ulse.org/insight/data-insights-e-bikes-college-university-campuses/
