harmonisation
Making safety visible The gs mark for pedelecs 25 With extra power of up to 250W at speeds of up to 25 km/h, riding is fun even uphill: and this applies even for retired people, environmentally aware housewives and indeed for anyone who wants some sporty exercise and to get around quickly. To ride such a pedelecs 25 there is no need for a driver’s licence and there’s no compulsory insurance: as the name suggests, the electric assist cuts out above 25 km/h. The fun factor is obvious, but when it comes to safety, matters are less clear. TÜV Rheinland
With pedelecs it’s quick and easy to reach high speeds, but this also involves risks. The bike must withstand the extra stresses and be of high quality. “Pedelecs place particular demands on components such as frame, fork and handlebars, as well as on the brakes. Safe enjoyable cycling is only possible when all of these are designed to withstand the expected loads,” explains Wilhelm Sonntag, pedelec 25 expert at TÜV Rheinland.
15194:2009 describes precisely which tests a pedelec 25 must withstand in order to receive a GS mark. High average speeds, harder and more frequent braking, extra torque loads applied by the motor or steep uphill riding all add up to extra stresses. “To be confident that a pedelec 25 will withstand these loads, it has to undergo a tough testing regime. Alongside mechanical safety, electrical and chemical safety are also checked,” says Sonntag.
spoilt for choice For checking mechanical safety the bike must, amongst other tests, The market for pedelec 25s keeps on growing. As ever more bikes withstand numerous loading cycles on a roller test stand without come onto the market it becomes ever harder for a potential buy- damage. During the test it is loaded with 120 kg total mass and it is er to choose the right bike. So it is important to get comprehen- pedalled. Frame and brakes also undergo further tests. sive advice before purchase, and at least to take a test ride to check the ergonomics, and the handling under riding and braking. But it’s not so easy to check the safety. Here’s where recommendathe gs mark tions such as the test stamps from ExtraEnergy or the GS mark have a role to play. The GS mark has a legislative basis in § 20/21 of the German “A buyer can’t really tell whether a pedelec 25 is safe over the Product Safety Law (ProdSG). A precondition for its use is course of a test ride. This is where the GS mark can help. GS stands that a GS institution has awarded the GS mark to a manufacturer or to their accredited agent. The GS mark shows that for Geprüfte Sicherheit in German (‘Tested Safety’) and it shows the in normal legal use or in the foreseeable application of the buyer that the bike has been put thoroughly put through its paces by an independent testing institute”, explains Sonntag. The GS marked product the health of the user will not be put at risk. mark isn’t a mark which gives the end user any information about The GS mark is a voluntary mark, meaning that the manufacturer or their accredited agent can decide whether to apply the user performance of a pedelec 25, and so it gives no verdict on for a GS mark to be awarded. the range, purchase price or maintenance. The GS mark does however confirm that the product has been checked for safety by an independent third party. Scope of application: According to § 20/21 ProdSG, awarding of a GS mark is possible so long as the legal provisions in § 8 In Germany, the Geräte- und Produktsicherheitsgesetz (GPSG - 'EquipProdSG do not state otherwise. ment and Product Safety Law') applies to pedelec 25s. According to this, only products which do not risk the safety and health of the end user may be used in traffic. In addition, pedelec 25s fall under the Machinery Directive, on which basis pedelec 25s must be provided with the CE mark, although this is a self-certification by ! the manufacturer. So the CE mark does not indicate that the product has been independently tested for safety. torture tests for pedelecs 25s Alongside the requirements of road traffic regulations regarding lights and brakes, the European standard for pedelecs 25, EN
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