New EU Standard EN 15918:2011 for Bicycle Trailers

July 6, 2012 - PRLog -- Specifying the safety requirements and methods of testing, EN 15918 covers two-wheeled cycle trailers and any devices used to connect them to the bicycle. Trailers like this are used to carry small amounts of cargo and/or up to two children as passengers, where the combined weight of cargo and passengers should not exceed 60 kg.

Products like this are popular in Europe, where cycling is widely enjoyed for recreation and by some for transport to the workplace or school. The new requirements include a series of safety specifications, restrictions and testing procedures. In addition, the chemical properties and flammability of the materials used are specified. It also introduces new construction and dimensional requirements and these include the drawbar load and height. There are requirements for front protection devices, deflection devices and minimum headroom. Attention is also given to avoid hazardous protrusions and sharp edges as well as shear and compression points, along with avoiding indirect contact to the wheels and points of possible entrapment. Small parts that may be swallowed by a small child should be beyond their reach or should withstand a strong force. The trailer should have a parking brake to sufficiently prevent movement of the trailer while it is being attached to the bicycle. Provisions for stability testing are also set out in detail. The folding system is subject to specific conditions and a secondary safety device is needed between the drawbar and the bicycle. Lights and/or reflectors should be provided as well as other aids to make the trailer conspicuous in traffic. Testing provisions include an overload test, a dynamic durability test and a cyclic oscillation test to confirm the structural integrity of bicycle trailers and their drawbars, connecting devices and secondary safety devices. A rigidity test is also included for the passenger cab and there are strength tests for the child restraint system. Furthermore, the standard specifies the information that should be provided to ensure safe product use.

Voluntary compliance with EN 15918 (http://shop.bsigroup.com/ProductDetail/?pid=0000000000301...), the EU standard for bicycle trailers, is also possible to demonstrate your adherence to the General Product Safety Directive. Note that certain EU Member States have their own national legislation to cover the safety of these products (e.g. UK and France) and in this case the national regulations take precedence.

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