Certification and Registration
16 CFR Part 1512: US. Requirements for Bicycles
Category:
CPC
What is the purpose of setting requirements for bicycles?
This regulation establishes requirements for assembly, braking, protrusions, structural integrity, and reflectors. Under the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, bicycles failing to meet any of these requirements are prohibited.
Applicable Standards
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for Bicycles
What is a bicycle?
Article 1512.2 defines a bicycle as:
(1) A two‑wheeled vehicle with a rear drive wheel propelled solely by human power; or
(2) Two‑ or three‑wheeled vehicles with fully operable pedals and an electric motor rated under 750 watts, propelled solely by that motor on paved, level surfaces, with a maximum speed of less than 20 mph when ridden by a 170‑lb operator.
Bicycle requirements fall into two categories. Bicycles with a seat height exceeding 25 inches (at highest adjustment) must meet all applicable requirements. Sidewalk bicycles (seat height ≤25 inches) may be exempt from certain requirements or subject to alternatives; these are indicated in bold throughout. For seat‑height measurement, see §1512.2.
Are there any bicycles exempt?
Yes – track bicycles designed for competition (tubular tires, single crank‑to‑wheel ratio, no freewheel) are exempt, as are one‑of‑a‑kind bicycles made to individual order (not from stock or series production).
16 CFR 1512 General requirements
(1) Assembly must be possible by an adult of normal intelligence and ability.
(2) No unprocessed sheared metal edges or sharp components that could cut hands or legs. Sheared edges must be rolled or deburred.
(3) During braking (§1512.18(d)/(e)) or road‑performance (§1512.18(p)/(q)) testing, the frame, steering, wheels, pedals, cranks, or brake components must show no visible fractures.
(4) Screws, bolts, and nuts used for securing components must not loosen, fracture, or fail during testing.
(5) Control cables must not break from contact with fixed components or sheath ends. Cable ends must be capped or secured to prevent unraveling.
(6) No protrusions in the shaded area shown in the figure, except control cables ≤1/4 inch thick and cable clamps ≤3/16 inch thick may attach to the top tube.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for brakes
Bicycles must have both front and rear brakes, or only a rear brake. Sidewalk bicycles may not have only a handbrake. Those with a seat height (at lowest adjustment) of ≥22 inches must have a foot brake. Sidewalk bicycles under 22 inches need no brakes, provided they lack a freewheel and bear a permanent "No brakes" label (also on ads and cartons). For sidewalk brake performance and labeling, see §§1512.5(e) and 1512.18(f).
(1) Handbrake
(a) During testing, the parking brake must not break, fail, or show lever movement or misalignment. Apply lever fully to handlebar (or 100 lbf), then perform load test with 150‑lb weight on saddle. See §1512.18(d)(2).
(b) Hand lever must be mounted on handlebar and readily accessible. Distance from handlebar center to lever must not exceed 3.5 inches (3 inches for sidewalk). Rear brake lever on right, front on left, unless specified otherwise. Levers for both may be on either side. If extensions are fitted, tests are done with them installed.
(c) Bicycles with only a handbrake must stop within 15 feet with a 150‑lb rider at 15 mph. See §1512.18(d).
(d) With ≤10 lbf at 1 inch from lever end, brake pads must contact braking surface. Caliper pads must be replaceable and adjustable. Pads must stay in place during rocking test (§1512.18(d)(2)).
(e) Brake assembly must be secured to frame with a locking device (e.g., lock washer/nut) and not loosen during shake test (§1512.18(d)(2)). Pad bracket must be secured to caliper assembly.
(2) Foot brake
(a) Must operate independently of gear position. 70 lbf on pedal must produce ≥40 lbf braking force (§1512.18(e)(2)).
(b) Bicycles with foot brakes must stop within 15 feet with a 150‑lb rider at 10 mph (§1512.5(c)). If only a foot brake and 60 pedal cranks/min at highest gear exceed 15 mph, then at 15 mph it must stop within 15 feet. Parking test in §1512.18(e)(3).
(c) Foot brake must apply force opposite to driving force, unless separate and applies in same direction.
(d) Each point where rider can apply brakes with 10 ft‑lb torque must be within 60° of the point where forward pedaling begins.
(e) For sidewalk foot‑brake testing, see §§1512.18(e)(2) and (f).
(3) Combination – must meet all foot‑brake requirements. If at highest gear it exceeds 15 mph at 60 pedal cranks/min, then at 15 mph using both brakes it must stop within 15 feet.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for the steering system
(1) Handlebar stem must withstand 450 lbf forward at 45° from stem centerline (225 lbf for sidewalk). Stem must have a permanent mark for minimum insertion depth, at least 2.5 times stem diameter from bottom (without compromising strength).
(2) Handlebars symmetrical. With seat lowest and handlebars highest, handlebar ends must not extend more than 16 inches beyond the seat.
(3) Handlebar ends must have caps/covers. With 15 lbf applied, grips, plugs, etc. must not detach (§1512.18(c)).
(4) Handlebar/stem assembly must not move or show damage under 35 ft‑lb torque (15 ft‑lb sidewalk). Stem must hold firmly; handlebar must support 100 lbf or absorb ≥200 in‑lb of energy while bending ≤3 inches. Must be tightened to prevent rotation. No visible fractures after testing (§1512.18(h)).
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for pedals
(1) Pedals must have cleats on both sides, unless one side is clearly designated – then only that side needs a cleat. If toe clips are securely attached and used exclusively, pedals need not have cleats; if clips are optional, cleats are required.
(2) Pedal reflectors required per §1512.16(e), except for sidewalk bicycles.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for chain and chain guard
(1) Chain must run smoothly over sprockets without kinking or jamming, and must have 1800 lbf tensile strength (1400 lbf for sidewalk).
(2) For bicycles with single front/rear sprocket, at least 90% of the top chain and front sprocket contact portion must be covered. Guard must extend rearward to at least 3.2 inches from rear axle centre. Top of guard must be at least twice chain width from front sprocket to rear rim; may narrow to 1/2 inch beyond that. A 3‑inch long, 3/8‑inch diameter rod inserted at any angle up to 45° must not be clamped at the upper sprocket‑chain junction.
(3) Drive unit must prevent the chain from interfering with or stopping the wheel due to improper adjustment or damage.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for tires
Recommended inflation pressure must be printed on the sidewall in letters ≥1/8 inch tall. At 110% of recommended pressure, the tire must stay on the rim under 450 lbf lateral load (§1512.18(j)). Non‑inflatable tires, tubular sewn tires, and molded wire‑reinforced tires are exempt.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for wheels
All spokes must be present; at rotation, at least 1/16 inch clearance from each fork side and other frame parts. Under 450 lbf side load, tire and spokes must stay on rim (§1512.18(j)). Sidewalk bicycles are exempt from lateral load requirements.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for wheel hubs
All bicycles except sidewalk types must meet:
(1) Each wheel must have a positive locking device securing it to the frame. Fasteners tightened to manufacturer’s torque. For front wheel, locking devices (except quick‑release) must not loosen under 12.5 ft‑lb removal torque. Rear axle under 400 lbf removal force for 30 seconds must not move.
(2) Quick‑release levers must be adjustable to the tightened position; rider must clearly see lever and determine locked/unlocked status. When locked, clamping action must firmly grip dropouts.
(3) Front hubs without quick‑release must have positive retention to keep wheel mounted when released. To verify, release the device and apply 25 lbf to the hub in the fork‑slot direction (§1512.18(j)(3)).
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for front fork and frame strength
Clamp front fork to prevent movement; apply force until it bends 2.5 inches – no fractures. At 350 lbf, deflection must not exceed 2.5 inches. Also, when mounted, fork/frame assembly must withstand 200 lbf steady force or 350 lbf impact (whichever is more severe) without fracture or significant bending that limits steering angle (§1512.18(k)(1)(2)). These do not apply to sidewalk bicycles.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for the seat
(1) Seatpost must have a permanent mark for minimum insertion depth, at least twice seatpost diameter from bottom (without compromising integrity).
(2) No part of seat, post, or accessories may extend more than 5 inches above the seat surface.
(3) Adjustment fixture must secure the seat at any position and prevent shifting during normal use. After testing (§1512.18(p)/(q)), under 150 lbf downward (75 lbf sidewalk) or 50 lbf horizontal (25 lbf sidewalk), neither seat nor post shall move (§1512.18(l)).
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for reflectors
To improve nighttime visibility, bicycles (except sidewalk) must have a combination of reflectors. Test details are in §1512.16. Generally: a colourless front reflector, colourless/amber pedal reflectors (front and rear), a red rear reflector, and a reflector on each wheel's spokes (or rims/tire sidewalls). Reflectance test details in §1512.18(n).
Front/rear reflectors must not contact the ground if the bicycle falls; exact mounting angles apply (§1512.18(m)). Front wheel side reflectors must be colourless/amber; rear wheel side reflectors colourless/red. Reflective material on tire sidewalls or rims must encircle the full circumference, not peel/scratch/rub off, and meet reflectance requirements (§1512.18(o), rim wear test in §1512.18(r)).
What other requirements must bicycles meet?
(1) A 150‑lb rider, with tires inflated to maximum recommended pressure, must ride at least 4 miles at a speed of at least 15 mph, for 100 yards on pavement 5 times. This test is in §1512.18(p). During these tests, the bicycle must handle, turn, and steer smoothly and steadily; frame, fork, brakes, and tires must function properly; seat, handlebars, controls, and reflectors must remain fastened and aligned. These do not apply to sidewalk bicycles.
(2) Sidewalk bicycles, with 30 lbs on the seat and 10 lbs on each grip, must be dropped onto pavement three times while upright. If weights are not available, drop the bicycle three times on each side in any orientation. During these tests, wheels, frame, seat, handlebars, and fork must not break. Test in §1512.18(q).
(3) The bicycle must be able to tilt 25 degrees to either side with pedals in lowest position without the pedal or any part (except tires) touching the ground.
(4) Bicycles without toe clips must have pedals at least 3.5 inches from the front tire or fender when the front wheel turns in any direction. See diagram in §1512.6.
16 CFR 1512 Requirements for instructions and labels
(1) Each bicycle must have an instruction manual (attached or in packaging) with operating/safety instructions, assembly directions, and maintenance guidelines (§1512.19).
(2) If sold unassembled or unadjusted, advertising and shipping cartons must list required tools and a diagram indicating minimum leg length, with at least 1 inch clearance between top tube and crotch when feet are on the ground.
(3) Each bicycle must bear a permanent mark/label with the manufacturer’s or private labeler’s name, and may include month/year of manufacture. If privately labelled, the label must allow the private labeler to identify the manufacturer.
For more information, contact SATISFY customer service. SATISFY offers one‑stop bicycle‑related testing, including preliminary assessments, documentation preparation and submission, end‑to‑end monitoring of testing and certification, compliance labelling, and post‑testing inquiries.
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