Where does the standard for cargo bikes come from?
Representatives from the bicycle industry, science and politics recently met in Delft with the aim of developing a common European cargo bike standard. The working group includes Marco Brust (Managing Director of velotech.de), the trailer manufacturer NÜWiel, the cargo bike, bicycle and drive manufacturers Riese&Müller, Urban Arrow, Accell, Shimano, Schaeffler, Bosch E-Bike Systems and Mando as well as the Technical University of Hamburg-Harburg, the German Bicycle Industry Association (ZIV) and others.
Velotech.de in Schweinfurt is a globally recognised, accredited testing laboratory for micromobility vehicles and product safety. The company supports manufacturers with consulting, testing and certification for individual assemblies and complete vehicles.
The standard for cargo bikes
The working group drafted the new EN17860 standard. Until now, heavy cargo bikes and heavy trailers were not sufficiently standardised. They are now also covered by the new standard. Trailers with their own electric motor and brakes as well as single-track cargo bikes with a maximum permissible weight of up to 250 kilograms, multi-track cargo bikes with a maximum permissible weight of up to 300 kilograms and heavy cargo bikes up to 650 kilograms are each covered separately.
The standard simplifies export and development
velotech.de Managing Director Marco Brust explains: "Cargo bikes have developed considerably. This is particularly true for freight transport, and an EU standard is helpful here in order to standardise the patchwork that exists across Europe. Some vehicles are categorised differently from country to country: in the Netherlands, for example, a maximum weight of 75 kilograms is being discussed for cargo bikes; in France, four-wheeled vehicles are not considered bicycles in some regions, and in Germany, different rules apply. This hampers trade and also causes legal problems. That is why the new EU standard helps. On the one hand, export-orientated manufacturers will benefit because sales in the European Union will be easier. On the other hand, the standard will make it easier for manufacturers to develop their products, because the specifications for what the product must do will become clearer."
The previous standard for cargo bikes
Until now, the DIN 79010 standard determined how cargo bikes are tested. It was last revised in 2020 and was drawn up by velotech.de founder Ernst Brust as chairman. DIN 79010 will be replaced by the new EN 17860 standard. The old standard for city and trekking bikes, 15194, was also used in the development of the new standard. However, this is no longer up to date for cargo bikes due to the significant increase in weight and the safety aspects of passenger transport and serial hybrids, i.e. bikes without a chain and without a toothed belt. The standard was discussed at European level and all objections were dealt with.
Velotech.de has had experience with the cargo bike standard since 2013
velotech.de knows a thing or two about cargo bike standards: The first German cargo bike standard was launched back in 2013 by the founder of the testing institute, Ernst Brust, as chairman. At the time, the institute had just been accredited by the DAkkS in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025. This accreditation was the basis for the recognition of test reports by authorities and helped manufacturers to develop safe vehicles.
Why a standard for cargo bikes?
Standards are an accessory to fulfil legal texts. Manufacturers can use them to prove that their products have been carefully developed. This in turn contributes to safe cargo bike transport. It is important to consider whether the bike is used commercially or privately, as the material requirements differ greatly. velotech.de tests whether a cargo bike fulfils a standard in its test laboratory in Schweinfurt.
Sandra Schuberth
Editor
