CPSC bicycle requirements part 1512.

Scope and definitions

Section 1512.1 applies the part to a bicycle "as defined in 1512.2(a) (except a bicycle that is a 'track bicycle' or a 'one-of-a-kind bicycle' as defined in 1512.2(d) and (e)) which is not a banned article under 1500.18(a)(12)." Section 1500.18(a)(12) is the ban itself: any bicycle introduced into interstate commerce on or after May 11, 1976 that does not comply with part 1512.

The definition of a bicycle has two limbs. First, "a two-wheeled vehicle having a rear drive wheel that is solely human-powered." Second, "a two- or three-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts (1 h.p.), whose maximum speed on a paved level surface, when powered solely by such a motor while ridden by an operator who weighs 170 pounds, is less than 20 mph." A "sidewalk bicycle" has "a seat height of no more than 635 mm (25.0 in)," measured with the seat at its highest position; recumbent bicycles are not included in that definition. A track bicycle is a competitive velodrome machine "having no brake levers or calipers, single crank-to-wheel ratio, and no free-wheeling feature." A one-of-a-kind bicycle is one "uniquely constructed to the order of an individual consumer other than by assembly of stock or production parts."

Section 1512.3 requires compliance "in the condition to which it is offered for sale to consumers," and a bicycle sold disassembled must comply after assembly under the manufacturer's instructions. Where metric and English values are not equal because of conversion, the less stringent requirement prevails.

Mechanical and braking requirements

Assembly must not demand more mechanical skill than "an adult of normal intelligence and ability" has (1512.4(a)). There may be no unfinished sheared metal edges or other sharp parts exposed to hands or legs. Fasteners may not fracture or loosen during the required tests. No protrusions are allowed in the excluded area around the top tube and handlebar stem, except control cables no greater than 6.4 mm (1/4 in) in diameter and clamps of material not thicker than 4.8 mm (3/16 in). Cable ends must be capped or treated and withstand a pull of 8.9 N (2.0 lbf).

Under 1512.5, a bicycle needs front and rear brakes, or rear brakes only. A handbrake-only bicycle must stop within 4.57 m (15 ft) from the actual test speed when tested with a rider of at least 68.1 kg (150 lb). A handbrake grip dimension "shall not exceed 89 mm (3 1/2 in)" between the pivot and the lever midpoint, and 76 mm (3 in) for sidewalk bicycles; a force of less than 44.5 N (10 lbf) at 25 mm (1.0 in) from the open end must bring the pads to the braking surface. The rear brake is actuated from the right handlebar and the front from the left, unless reversed on a customer order. Footbrakes must produce a braking force of not less than 178 N (40 lbf) for an applied pedal force of 310 N (70 lbf) and meet the same 4.57 m stopping distance from at least 16 km/h (10 mph), or from 24 km/h (15 mph) where the bicycle's highest gear equivalent ground speed exceeds that. Sidewalk bicycles "shall not have handbrakes only," and one with a seat height under 560 mm (22 in) and no brake may not have a freewheel feature and must be identified with a permanent "No Brakes" label.

Steering, pedals, chain and wheels

Quill-type handlebar stems need a permanent minimum-insertion mark, not less than 2 1/2 times the stem diameter from the lowest point. The stem must withstand 2000 N (450 lbf), or 1000 N (225 lbf) for sidewalk bicycles. Handlebar ends must be no more than 406 mm (16 in) above the seat surface with the seat lowest and the bars highest, except on recumbents, and be capped or covered, with end devices secure against a removal force of no less than 66.8 N (15 lbf). The assembly directions must include an explicit warning about overtightening the stem bolt.

Pedals need right-hand/left-hand symmetry and tread. The drive chain must have a tensile strength of no less than 8010 N (1,800 lbf), or 6230 N (1,400 lbf) for sidewalk bicycles. A single front and rear sprocket bicycle needs a chain guard covering the top strand and at least 90 degrees of the sprocket perimeter. Tires must have the recommended inflation pressure molded into the sidewall in lettering no less than 3.2 mm (1/8 in) high. Wheels must have no missing spokes and at least 1.6 mm (1/16 in) of tire clearance. Other than sidewalk bicycles, rims must retain spokes and tire under a 2000 N (450 lbf) side load, rear axles must show no relative motion under a 1,780 N (400 lbf) force for 30 seconds, and quick-release levers must be clearly visible and show whether they are locked (1512.11, 1512.12).

Fork, frame, seat, reflectors and the road test

The front fork must absorb at least 39.5 J (350 in-lb) of energy without visible fracture; the fork and frame assembly must withstand 890 N (200 lbf) or 39.5 J, whichever is greater. Sidewalk bicycles need not meet either. No seat part may be more than 125 mm (5.0 in) above the seat surface (except on recumbents), and the seat post needs a permanent insertion mark.

Reflector requirements (1512.16) call for a colorless front reflector, colorless or amber pedal reflectors, and a red rear reflector, plus side reflection from retroreflective tire sidewalls, spoke reflectors or retroreflective rims. Sidewalk bicycles are not required to have reflectors. The photometric values are in tables of reflectance by angle in the eCFR and are not reproduced here. A road test requires at least 6.4 km (4.0 mi) of riding by a rider weighing at least 68.1 kg (150 lb), plus five passes over a 30.5 m (100 ft) cleated course (1512.17(a)); sidewalk bicycles are dropped at least 300 mm three times (1512.17(b)). A bicycle must tilt at least 25 degrees without the pedal or other part but the tires touching the ground, and have 89 mm (3 1/2 in) of toe clearance if it has no positive foot-retaining device.

Instructions and labeling

Every bicycle must come with an instruction manual covering operation and safety, assembly and maintenance (1512.19). A bicycle shipped less than fully assembled must show on display material and the carton a list of tools and a drawing of the minimum leg-length dimension of a rider, based on no less than one inch of clearance between the top tube and the rider's crotch measurement. A securely affixed marking on the frame must identify the manufacturer or private labeler and allow the month and year of manufacture to be identified.

Worked example

A child's bicycle has a seat height of 24 inches at its highest position. That is no more than 25.0 inches, so it is a sidewalk bicycle, and the grip dimension limit drops to 3 inches. If the brake lever measures 3.2 inches it fails the sidewalk value although it would pass 3 1/2 inches for a regular bicycle. A bicycle with 3.0 inches of toe clearance and no toe clips falls short of the 3 1/2 inch value in 1512.17(d). A reading of 27 degrees of tilt meets the 25 degree minimum. The checker above makes those comparisons for whichever values are entered.

Limits of this page

The tool compares dimensions you measure with written values. It does not perform the load, brake, road, fork or reflector tests, which need equipment and specified riders. Refer to the eCFR for the figures (front fork test rig, handlebar stem loading, brake grip dimension, toe clearance and chain guard, reflective rim abrasion). Bicycle helmets, which have their own rule, are a different product.

Sources

Sources opened and read November 2, 2026.

• eCFR: 16 CFR part 1512, bicycles (current through October 29, 2026) (read November 2, 2026)