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INDUSTRY SERVICES & RESOURCES


THE TECHNICAL SERVICE

We offer one-on-one advice on all regulatory, compliance and technical matters, included with BA membership. Excellent contacts and a deep knowledgebase allow us to provide swift and authoritative advice on everything from tariffs to fatigue testing, plus early intelligence on standards development, anti-dumping, tariffs and Brexit, safety issues and more.

The Technical Service also plays a significant role in the BA’s advocacy work, providing expertise for detailed policy development and proposals – as well as flagging and analysing regulatory developments which may pose a threat, or present opportunities, for the cycle industry.

We regret that the Technical Service cannot answer queries from companies who are not Bicycle Association members, nor from members of the public. The BA Guides published below may however be useful to address some popular topics.

Support is provided to BA member companies via:

  • One-on-one support. Unlimited (within reason) one-on-one technical support from our Technical Director Peter Eland (or a colleague, if he is unavailable) is included in the cost of membership, to help you resolve any technical or compliance issues, or to guide you to Government advice or best practice.
  • Regular update emails (to unlimited recipients within your company).
  • Guidance documents library on the BA website: subjects include safety and compliance for bikes and e-bikes, batteries guidance, a list of UK and EU test labs, detailed analysis of UK legal requirements, notes on the legalities of e-bike conversion kits and more. We also maintain a collection of the latest Government advice, including some items obtained directly from Government for the cycle industry.
  • BA technical meetings. These provide full updates and are also great for networking with technical, quality and compliance peers.

"COMPREHENSIVE TECHNICAL SUPPORT"

Become a BA member today to access our comprehensive technical support covering both compliance and regulatory change.

CONSUMER FINANCE SERVICE

Addressing market failures on behalf of members is a core activity for the BA. In response to requests from members we’ve acted to provide a consumer finance offer for bike retailers (including smaller ones who would otherwise struggle to qualify), on the same attractive terms for all. . 

Since the start of 2023 we’ve been proud to partner with Novuna, negotiating an advantageous package for you. With fees up to 50% lower than other finance offers, high acceptance rates and a modern user experience for both customer and retailer, this offer will grow your sales whilst protecting precious margins. Novuna and the BA have recently renewed their offer for members following a successful 18 months of working together. The BA estimates that just 600 specialist retailers currently offer finance, and believes this number could be much bigger to help grow your bike saless. Novuna now integrates with all leading ecommerce platforms, as well as Citrus Lime, Push Retail and SiWIS.

"SELL MORE BIKES USING AN AFFORDABLE FINANCE OFFER"

If you are selling bikes to consumers and want to grow your sales and your transaction values with affordable fees become a BA member today.

BATTERY COLLECTION SERVICE

Electric bike sales are set to grow significantly in the coming years – even without the expected incremental sales to new and returning customers, the share of 1 million adult bike sales that are electric could rise to 50% within a few years.

Eventually, the batteries on these bikes expire, and need to be replaced (a typical battery will last 7-10 years under normal usage and charge cycles). Batteries on electric bikes are classed as “industrial” (as opposed to “portable” consumer batteries) and this classification means that companies classed as ‘Producers’ are responsible for their safe collection and disposal.

In the near future, the UK cycle industry is going to have to deal with many hundreds of thousands of expired batteries. For Producers, which in the UK cycle industry mainly means brands and distributors, this is going to be both expensive and time consuming. Without an industry solution in place each Producer will have to engage with a third party to collect and recycle its own batteries. Resources will need to be found within organisations to manage this, and the cost of doing so will grow over time.

For retailers, if each Producer has its own solution, complexity at retail level will be high, and unmanageable. At present, many retailers are incurring battery collection and recycling costs that should be attributed elsewhere.

For consumers, it is important to know that a solution exists if their battery expires or is faulty. These powerful batteries need to be removed from homes, to be stored safely at a nationwide network of collection points where they are then collected and recycled so that the important materials are recycled in the correct waste streams.

At a time when the risks of e-bike battery fires are mainstream news, the provision of a certified, industry-wide, expired battery collection service is important for the resilience of the sector and a point of difference for a trustworthy retailer. The BA will launch a national battery collection and recycling programme in spring 2025.

"PRODUCERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR SAFE COLLECTION AND DISPOSAL"

The BA will ask retailers who wish to join the network to get in touch in due course. If you wish to do this at an earlier stage, please contact us. To benefit from the service you will need to become a BA member.

BA REGISTER OF SAFETY-AUDITED BRANDS

Many users and potential purchasers of e-bikes have been understandably concerned about media reports around lithium battery fires attributed to e-bikes. However there is strong evidence that e-bikes from reputable brands, sold by responsible retailers and not tampered-with or otherwise abused, are very safe products indeed.

Reputable brands conduct extensive safety testing to well proven international standards to ensure that their e-bikes, batteries and chargers are safe and in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations - not only as separate components, but also as a complete, compatible system. Furthermore, they put quality processes in place to ensure that this evidence-backed level of safety is sustained in manufacture, transport and retail.

To help potential purchasers and users to identify e-bike brands which meet these safety responsibilities, the Bicycle Association has set up a register of safety-audited brands.

"THE REGISTER GIVES PURCHASER AND USERS EXTRA ASSURANCE"

 E-bike brands who are interested in participating, and any other stakeholders, are invited to contact us.

INDUSTRY RESOURCES

E-bike initiatives & resources

The Bicycle Association and other cycle sector partners are working intensively on multiple initiatives and resources to help safeguard the future of the e-bike category for responsible suppliers in the UK.

Read more »

Cargo bikes & cycle logistics

The Bicycle Association has worked with numerous industry experts and stakeholders to develop Codes of Conduct for cycle logistics riders and operators, and a minimum Cargo Bike Rider Training Standard, as part of our work to support the professionalisation and growth of this sector.

Read more »

Cycle parking standard

The Bicycle Association and the Cycle Rail Working Group have developed a cycle parking standard to assist procurement of good quality, accessible, secure and durable cycle parking hardware and installations.

Read more »

Theft and security

Cycle theft is a major issue for the industry, because many people whose bikes are stolen do not return to cycling. Thefts from retailers can also be traumatic and disruptive. Read more about the BA’s work to help address cycle theft and security.

Read more »

BA GUIDES

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