The Minister for Financial Services and Regulation, Joe Hockey, today announced the introduction of a new safety standard for pedal bicycles.
"This new standard will ensure that bicycles bought by Australian consumers are as safe as practically possible," the Minister said.
"In particular, the new standard takes into account technological developments in the marketplace and sets performance criteria for the safety of the bicycle as a whole and for individual critical parts.
"There have been mandatory requirements for bicycles since 1979, and bicycles currently supplied in Australia are generally of a quality and price that is excellent value for money. However, a number of bicycles are recalled for serious safety reasons every year and this underpins the need for an updated mandatory standard.
"Bicycles are becoming increasingly popular both as transport and for recreation. Over 740,000 bicycles are imported each year, 60 per cent of which are intended for use by children."
The new mandatory standard references the latest version of the Australian Standard, AS/NZS 1927:1998, Pedal bicyclesSafety requirements. Because of the high proportion of child cyclists, the standard includes requirements that have been developed in response to Australian conditions and accidents involving children.
For example, there are more detailed requirements for front wheel quick-release devices including a requirement and test method aimed at eliminating the likelihood that the wheel will fall out of the fork if the device is accidentally or otherwise released.
"Very often in the past bicycles failed to meet the standard because they were incorrectly assembled due to poor instructions. The new standard directly addresses this problem," the Minister said.