Standardization News

A new voluntary ASTM International bicycle standard, developed to assist manufacturers in testing trailer cycles, intended to be pulled behind bicycles, has been approved by ASTM International.

The new standard, F2917, Specification for Bicycle Trailer Cycles Designed for Human Passengers," includes a trailer cycle test for manufacturers to use, new warnings to be placed on the product, and updated content to be added to owner manuals.

The ASTM task group that developed the new standard is part of Subcommittee F08.10 on Bicycles, within ASTM International Committee F08 on Sports Equipment and Facilities. The group comprises representatives of leading bicycle manufacturers, laboratories, engineering design companies, universities, consumers and regulatory agencies. They collaborated to develop the consensus-based standard to help streamline safety tests for bicycle trailer cycle development within the industry.

"We were looking for a standard to apply to our trailer cycle designs and realized there was not already one in place," said Steve Nagode, ASTM task group chairman and senior research and test engineer for REI and Novara. "We were thrilled to help develop a standard for products that will continue to be used by families for years to come."

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CONTACT Technical Information: Steve Nagode, Recreational Equipment Inc • Kent, Wash. • Phone: 253-437-7466 O ASTM Staff: Christine Sierk • Phone: 610-832-9728 O Upcoming Meeting: May 8-10 • May Committee Week • Phoenix, Ariz.