Letter to NBDA Members: NBDA and CPSC E- Bicycle Safety Update

Hello NBDA Members,

We are writing to share an update regarding e-bicycles, certification, and safety.

In July 2022, the NBDA made an official statement regarding e-bicycle regulation and safety and the importance of the UL 2849 Certification. The NBDA stands behind brands listing to UL 2849. We think this is the top-level standard for safety purposes.

E-bicycle safety has been a top priority for the NBDA over the course of the past year. We have been working closely with Human Powered Solutions, FDNY, UL, insurance agencies, brands, experts, New York City Council Members, and many others to stay apprised of the issues for our members.

On Monday of this week, the NBDA sent this letter to the Consumer Product Safety Commission on behalf of specialty bicycle retailers, riders, and our industry at large. The purpose of the letter was to stress the importance of product certification and to ask for a statement to be made regarding certification standards.

Today CPSC Chairman Alexander Hoehn-Saric has issued a statement regarding exactly that. You can view the statement here.

In addition to the statement, a letter was sent to more than 2,000 manufacturers and importers alerting them of the risk that failure to comply to applicable UL safety standards poses.

You can view the advisory letter here.

We are working on a list of e-bicycle batteries and brands that have UL 2272 and UL 2849 certification. Note that any third-party certification body that is accredited by an international accreditation body for ANSI/CAN/UL 2272 or ANSI/ CAN/ UL 2849 product certification is acceptable to ensure compliance.

You can find the up-to-date listing of UL listed e-bicycles and UL listed personal e-mobility devices via the links below:

UL 2849 Listed e-bicycles: https://productiq.ulprospector.com/en/search?term=qgns
UL 2849 Listed e-bicycles: https://ramuk.intertekconnect.com/WebClients/ITS/DLP/products.nsf/$$Search?OpenForm
UL 2272 Listed e-Scooters, Hoverboards, and other Personal e-Mobility Devices: https://productiq.ulprospector.com/en/search?term=fkis

The NBDA has hosted several educational webinars around e-bicycle certification and safety.

Links to past webinars are below:

Spring Roundtable on e-bicycle Explosion and Risk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ3fZ5Kjd-I
Advocating for what retailers should advise consumers on e-bicycle Battery Safety: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iq97MrbpO1Q&t=1s
Technical Details UL 2849: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl3C5b113f8&t=2s
E-bicycle Risk and Concern regarding classifications: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vi3V_G_x3H4
E-bicycle Insurance Considerations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Zm20NROLUE
E-bicycle Battery Recycling: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob-wP7YtjGM&t=2s
Update Safe Storage and Handling Lithium-Ion Batteries: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_CIVX1qMdc
E-bicycle Certifications and Education: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMzD6nMoWOY

The NBDA has organized educational sessions on e-bicycles with representatives from UL, Call to Recycle, and HPS that will be presented at the upcoming 2023 CABDA Shows.

We at the NBDA have a follow up meeting planned with the CPSC in the new year and will continue to monitor the situation and bring forward information and education to retailers as we are able.

Please let us know if you have any questions.