Electric cargo (e-cargo) bikes are an increasingly common sight, carrying families and small cargoes around our cities. But are they safe? Learn how the EN 17860 series of standards for carrier cycles will improve street safety.
Our cities are becoming ever more congested. Slow-moving fossil-fueled vehicles clog our streets and pollute our air. At the same time, we are more aware than ever before of the threat burning fossil fuels has on our climate. Governments and businesses are responding, committing themselves to reducing and phasing out the use of fossil-fuel vehicles for shorter distance trips, while consumers actively look for sustainable alternatives.
In this climate, the e-cargo bike provides the perfect solution. Able to navigate easily through traffic, it is nimble, fast, simple to maintain, cheap to run and sustainable. Its advantages have long been recognized in Europe, where it is common to see last-mile deliveries and trips like taking children to school being conducted on an e-cargo bike. This popularity is expected to continue in Europe, where the market is predicted to grow from USD 1.05 billion in 2024 to USD 1.60 billion in 2029. It is now also starting to happen across the rest of the world – USD 2.01 billion in 2024 to an estimated USD 2.92 billion in 2029.1
Testing e-cargo bike safety
Until recently, there was only one standard a manufacturer could use to test e-cargo bikes – DIN 79010:2020. This defines the requirements and test methods for both single and multi-lane transport and cargo bicycles used to transport goods and persons. It includes those with electric motor support but does not apply to bicycles under the scope of standards such as ISO 4210, ISO 8098 (children's bicycles), EN 16054 (BMX bicycles) and EN 15194 (EPAC bicycles). It is also only applicable in Germany.
Manufacturers supplying other EU countries could use EN 15194, but this only really applies to city and trekking bikes with electric motors and does not consider the characteristics of cargo bikes. This lack of applicability to e-cargo bikes is a problem because in recent years their weight carrying ability has increased significantly, which can cause problems such as cracked frames.
EN 17860
Developed by the CEN/TC 333/WG 9 working group, this series of standards covers single-track cargo bikes (up to 300kg), multi-track bikes (up to 300kg), heavy cargo bikes (up to 650kg) and bike trailers with their own electric drives.
In total, the series will include seven standards:
- 17860-1: Terms and definitions
- 17860-2: Lightweight single-track carrier cycle – mechanical and functional aspects
- 17860-3: Lightweight multi-track carrier cycle – mechanical and functional aspects
- 17860-4: Heavyweight multi-track carrier cycle – mechanical and functional aspects
- 17860-5: Electrical aspects
- 17860-6: Passenger transport
- 17860-7: Trailers
DIN 79010:2020 is at the heart of these standards, but it has been extended with improved requirements and test method descriptions. There is now also a distinction between commercial and private usage, with the dynamic test for pedaling force being doubled for commercial use – 200,000 cycles instead of 100,000 cycles.
This matters because manufacturers will need to identify the difference between commercial and private usage. For example, what should they do if an e-cargo bike is purchased by a company for an employee to commute to work?
Testing options
There are three testing options available to manufacturers:
- Road test over 300 km with specified road conditions
- Test machine
- Computer simulation
SGS’s customized braking performance test facility allows machine testing on cargo bikes, which are
typically wider and longer than the two-wheeled bicycle
Testing must replicate real-life usage. According to Informative Annex G, the test speeds must be 15 km/h and 25 km/h with a 1-3% downhill slope on a dry surface. The wind speed must be less than 3 m/s, and testing must be undertaken with three weight settings – cyclist only, cyclist with 50% cargo and cyclist with 100% cargo.
The e-cargo bike must also demonstrate stability, even when parked. A single-track cargo bike must stand unassisted on a side slope of less than 4.6 degrees and front to rear slope of less than 5.7 degrees. The weight conditions for these tests are empty and 100% cargo. For the multi-track cargo bike, it must not roll away in any direction on a slope of 16% (empty or 100% cargo), and the front wheel must not lift when tilted 10.2 degrees. In addition, the bike must not lift from the ground when being loaded.
The electronic requirements included in EN 17860-5 are like EN 15194. They cover:
- Functional safety in e-cargo bikes
- Electrical safety in e-cargo bikes
- Electrically power-assisted cycle trailers (EPACT)
- Batteries and chargers used with carrier cycles
It should be noted the standard does not apply to charging stations, but it does specify the requirements and test methods for systems with safety extra low voltage (SELV) that have a maximum working voltage of ≤ 60Vdc, disregarding transients.
Batteries for e-cargo bikes must conform to EN 50604-1:2016 with amendment A1:2021, a specific standard for light electric vehicle batteries. All electrical components must undergo mechanical strength tests:
- Function-related shock test – according to EN 60068-2-27 with 100 shocks per direction totally more than 600 shocks. Acceleration must be 150 m/s² in 6 ms
- Impact-related shock test – fall five times on both left and right sides
Parts 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 of this series of standards will probably be voted on in 2024, with part 4 probably following in 2025.
E-cargo bikes offer a promising solution to the problems of urban transportation. With the EN 17860 series of standards, businesses will be able to avoid costly recalls over factors, such as insufficient frame strength, while ensuring safety for riders and other street users.
SGS solution
We offer a comprehensive range of testing and certification solutions to help manufacturers and suppliers of e-cargo bikes conform to market requirements. In addition to the new EN 17860 series, we can also support with other national and international standards for adult and children’s bikes, accessories, chemical and recycling standards.
Learn more about our testing services for bikes and e-bikes.
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References
1 E-cargo Bike Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts Up To 2029
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