ASTM F3641-23

• Abstract:

  SCOPE; 1.1 This specification covers child carriers that position the child ahead of the rider and behind the handlebar of a bicycle. These child carriers transport children with a minimum weight of 12 kg and a maximum weight of 27 kg who are capable of sitting unaided. ; 1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. ; 1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. ; 1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2023
• Technical Committee: F08 - Sports Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities
• Drafting Committee: F08.10 - Bicycles

Overview

ASTM F3641-23: Standard Specification for Front-Mounted Bicycle Child Carriers (12 kg – 27 kg) establishes internationally recognized requirements for child carriers designed to be mounted at the front of a bicycle, positioning the child ahead of the rider and behind the handlebars. The standard applies to carriers intended to transport children weighing between 12 kg and 27 kg who can sit unaided. Developed by ASTM International, this specification prioritizes the safety, durability, and usability of front-mounted bicycle child carriers, ensuring products meet essential safety, performance, and labeling criteria. All values are expressed in SI units and the standard aligns with relevant WTO principles for global trade and acceptance.

Key Topics

• Design and Construction
  Establishes requirements for the construction, strength, and safety of child carriers, including:

  • Sturdy attachment and non-interference with bicycle operation
  • Protective devices to prevent contact with moving bike parts
  • Adequate restraints and handrests for child safety and comfort
  • Corrosion and UV resistance of materials

• Performance Testing

  • Environmental resilience (salt spray, temperature extremes)
  • Impact and fatigue resistance
  • Static and dynamic loading, simulating realistic use scenarios
  • Compliance with regulatory requirements for flammability (16 CFR 1500.44), sharp points (16 CFR 1500.48), and sharp edges (16 CFR 1500.49)

• Instructions and Marking

  • Detailed, clear instructions for assembly, attachment, and maintenance
  • Specific instructions and safety warnings about correct use, helmet use, and maximum loads
  • Durable labeling on products and packaging indicating manufacturer, date or batch, weight limits, and recycling symbols

• User Safety Responsibilities

  • Warning users that adding a child carrier affects bicycle stability and handling
  • Guidance regarding appropriate use, such as ensuring the child can sit unaided and wearing approved helmets

Applications

Front-mounted bicycle child carriers certified to ASTM F3641-23 are used by families, caregivers, and outdoor enthusiasts for safe, convenient bicycle transport of young children. Compliance with the standard helps manufacturers, retailers, and safety organizations ensure product quality and mitigate liability. Applications include:

• Daily commuting or recreational cycling with children
• Use in family-friendly cycling events or bike tours
• Urban, suburban, and rural cycling environments where child safety is paramount
• Guidance for product designers and engineers developing innovative child transport solutions

Compliance with ASTM F3641-23 enhances consumer confidence, supports regulatory approval, and contributes to safer cycling experiences for both rider and child.

Related Standards

Products and manufacturers following ASTM F3641-23 may also reference the following related standards:

• ASTM F2793: Specification for Bicycle Grips
• ASTM B117: Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
• ANSI Z535.6: Safety Information in Product Manuals and Other Collateral Material
• ISO 8098: Cycles-Safety Requirements for Bicycles for Young Children
• 16 CFR 1500.44, .48, .49: US federal requirements concerning flammability, sharp points, and sharp edges in products for children

These standards address supporting aspects of bicycle and child carrier safety, including material durability, labeling standards, and legal compliance.

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Keywords: ASTM F3641-23, bicycle child carrier standard, front-mounted child carrier, child bike seat safety, cycling with children, international safety standards, child bicycle seat testing, ASTM child carrier specification, family cycling safety

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: F3641 − 23
Standard Specification for
Front-Mounted Bicycle Child Carriers (12 kg – 27 kg)
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F3641; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2.4 Federal Standards:
16 CFR 1500.44 Flammability – Method for determining
1.1 This specification covers child carriers that position the
extremely flammable and flammable solids
child ahead of the rider and behind the handlebar of a bicycle.
16 CFR 1500.48 Sharp Points – Technical requirements for
These child carriers transport children with a minimum weight
determining a sharp point in toys and other articles
of 12 kg and a maximum weight of 27 kg who are capable of
intended for use by children under 8 years of age
sitting unaided.
16 CFR 1500.49 Sharp Edges – Technical requirements for
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
determining a sharp metal or glass edge in toys and other
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
articles intended for use by children under 8 years of age
this standard.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3. Terminology
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1 Definitions:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1 additional guard, n—guard that is always provided
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
with the seat but does not satisfy the definition of an integral
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
guard.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
3.1.2 armrest, n—position where the child may rest their
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
arms.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
3.1.3 backrest, n—surface or backrest that will support the
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
child’s weight while seated and leaning backward.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
3.1.4 child carrier, n—seating device, including all equip-
2. Referenced Documents ment and attached hardware that mounts to a bicycle, with a
2 shape that is adapted to the seated position of a child and keeps
2.1 ASTM Standards:
the child in a comfortable position during a ride.
B117 Practice for Operating Salt Spray (Fog) Apparatus
F2793 Specification for Bicycle Grips 3.1.5 footrest, n—foot pad or platform where the child can
2.2 ANSI Standard: rest their feet.
ANSI Z535.6-2011(R2017) Safety Information in Product
3.1.6 footstrap, n—foot retention mechanism.
Manuals, Instructions, and Other Collateral Material
3.1.7 front-mounted child carrier, n—child carrier that po-
2.3 ISO Standards:
sitions the child between the saddle and the handlebar.
ISO 8098:2023 Cycles — Safety requirements for bicycles
for young children
3.1.8 handlebar, n—steering bar that is held by the rider.
3.1.9 handrest, n—platform or position where the child may
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F08 on Sports
rest their hands or a device they may hold.
Equipment, Playing Surfaces, and Facilities and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee F08.10 on Bicycles.
3.1.10 integral guard, n—guard that is formed as part of the
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2023. Published January 2024. DOI: 10.1520/
main unit.
F3641-23.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3.1.11 mounting, n—method for connecting the seat of the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
child carrier to a dedicated mounting system, and then to the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
bicycle frame or parts of the bicycle.
the ASTM website.
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
Available from International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO
Central Secretariat, Chemin de Blandonnet 8, CP 401, 1214 Vernier, Geneva, Available from U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), 732 N. Capitol St.,
Switzerland, https://www.iso.org. NW, Washington, DC 20401, http://www.gpo.gov.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F3641 − 23
3.1.12 normal use, n—applications described as intended not be limited to, the top tube; the stem; or a combination of the
use for the product found within the manufacturer’s instruc- seat post, seat tube, and top or down tube.
tional literature.
4.2.4 The child carrier and associated mounting hardware
shall be securely fastened to prevent any rearward, rotational,
3.1.13 protective devices, n—all devices that aid in the
or lateral movement of the seat or mounting hardware.
protection of the child.
4.2.5 The mounting hardware shall not interfere with the
3.1.14 restraining device, n—device or product that restricts
function of the bicycle or its components.
the movement of the child.
4.3 Materials:
3.1.15 rider, n—person who controls the bicycle to which
4.3.1 Plastics or other synthetic materials, if used, shall be
the child carrier is attached and who is responsible for the
stabilized against ultraviolet (UV) radiation and resistant to
safety of the child passenger.
ozone.
3.1.16 seat, n—part of the child carrier where the child sits.
4.3.2 The child carrier shall be protected against corrosion.
4. Requirements
4.4 Equipment:
4.4.1 A seat shall be provided that ensures a flat seating
4.1 General:
position is available for the child.
4.1.1 The child shall be able to support themselves with the
4.4.2 The seating area shall accommodate the size of a
child carrier and not be directly dependent on any part of the
seated child at both the upper and lower range of the weight
bicycle for stability while sitting in or on the child carrier seat.
limitation at the 95 percentile of child-sizing charts.
4.1.2 The child carrier shall not prevent the rider from
reaching around the child, holding the bicycle handlebars, or 4.4.3 The seating surface shall have a minimum width of
having an adequate field of view, and controlling the bicycle. 120 mm.
4.1.3 The child carrier shall be designed and manufactured
4.4.4 The seating surface shall have a minimum length of
to prevent the child or rider from coming into contact with
203 mm.
anything that would cause injuries during normal use or when
4.4.5 Footrests shall be provided that support the feet and
used in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Sur-
have appropriate grip detail to limit a foot from slipping.
faces shall be free from burrs, sharp edges, and points; if such
4.4.6 Footrests shall have height adjustment to provide both
are present, they shall be covered by protective coverings.
a comfortable foot position for the child and sufficient front
4.1.4 The child carrier shall have sufficient size adjustment
wheel contact area clearance.
to fit children at both the upper and lower range of the weight
4.4.7 The footrest shall be designed to not cause a puncture
limitation, at the 95 percentile of child-sizing charts.
injury to the child or rider.
4.1.5 The child carrier shall have an instruction manual
4.4.8 The foot area shall be adequate for the size of a child
included with the packaged unit.
with covered-in footwear at both the upper and lower range of
4.1.6 The child carrier shall have instructions to inform the
the weight limitation of 95 percentile of child-sizing charts.
user of the necessary adjustments to achieve the correct fit onto
4.4.9 The footrest should have a minimum width of 25 mm.
a bicycle.
4.4.10 Unless the design of the child carrier encloses the
4.1.7 No openings that the child’s hands can reach shall
child’s legs, foot retention straps shall be provided. The foot
have dimensions larger than 6 mm nor smaller than 13 mm.
retention straps shall be at least 20 mm wide and adjustable.
4.1.8 The child carrier shall have a maximum carrying
4.4.11 If the child has the ability to remove their feet from
capacity of 27 kg.
the foot retention straps, then a secondary protection method
4.1.9 The child carrier shall prevent contact of hands and
shall be present to prevent foot entanglement with the wheels
feet with rotational parts of the bicycle that could cause injury.
or other moving parts.
This contact shall be prevented by design or with the addition
4.4.12 Handrests shall be provided. These handrests shall be
of protective devices.
designed to allow the child to grip and stabilize their upper
4.1.10 The manufacturer shall warn the rider that a load
body and be appropriately sized to fit children at both the upper
added to the bicycle will lessen the stability, braking perfor-
and lower range of the weight limitation at the 95 percentile of
mance and alter the riding characteristics of the bicycle.
child-sizing charts, but not so long as to allow the child to
4.2 Mounting:
overpower the rider steering control.
4.2.1 When assembled in accordance with the manufactur-
4.4.13 The handrest shall be designed to not cause a
er’s instructions, the child carrier components shall be firmly
puncture injury to the child or rider. If the design is applicable,
attached to the bicycle.
then the handrest shall meet Specification F2793, Section 4,
4.2.2 If the means of attachment of the child carrier to the
4.1.2 Punch-out.
bicycle is within easy reach of the child and could be loosened
by the child, then there shall be a secondary device to restrict
5. Testing Requirements
movement of the child carrier either by providing an additional
5.1 Test Criteria:
and independent attachment, or ensuring that loosening the
primary attachment will not fully release the connection. 5.1.1 After testing in accordance with the sections outlined
4.2.3 The child carrier and associated mounting hardware within this specification, the child carrier shall show no visible
shall attach directly to the bicycle and may be attached to, but signs of fracture nor any deformation or displacement that
F3641 − 23
would impair the safety and function of the child carrier or the 5.6.1.1 Place the child carrier in ambient conditions for a
bicycle as defined by the allowable amounts set out within this period of at least 4 h.
specification. 5.6.1.2 Mount the child carrier on the test fixture (extra-
5.1.2 A strength test would be considered a failure if any of large 57 cm bike) above a concrete floor. Raise the bike to a
the following occur, fasteners loosening, child carrier shifting completely vertical riding position and release the bike under
position, and damage or cracks anywhere in the child carrier or gravity from rest until the bike and child carrier assembly
mounting system as a result of the tests. strikes the floor.
5.1.3 The tests in 5.3 – 5.5 shall be carried out on the same 5.6.1.3 Repeat this test two times per side.
sample and in the order that they appear in this document.
5.6.1.4 Examine the child carrier for damage or distortion
Separate samples may be used for all other tests. that could affect the safety or function of the child carrier.
5.6.1.5 Damage or distortion that could affect the safety or
5.2 Tolerances and Test Conditions:
function of the child carrier constitutes failure of the test.
5.2.1 Unless otherwise stated, the tolerances outlined in the
5.6.2 Low-Temperature Drop Test:
section below shall be used.
5.6.2.1 Store the child carrier for at least 4 h, but not more
5.2.1.1 All forces shall have an accuracy of 6 5 %. All
than 24 h, at a temperature of –7 6 3°C.
masses shall have an accuracy of 61 %.
5.6.2.2 Mount the child carrier on the test fixture (extra-
5.2.1.2 All dimensions shall have an accuracy of 61.0 mm.
large 57 cm bike) above a concrete floor. Raise the bike to a
5.2.1.3 All time measurements shall have an accuracy of 61
completely vertical position and release the bike under gravity
s.
from rest until the bike and child carrier assembly strikes the
5.2.1.4 All angles shall have an accuracy of 61°.
floor.
5.2.1.5 All frequencies and amplitudes shall have an accu-
5.6.2.3 Repeat this test three times per side.
racy of 65 %.
5.6.2.4 Examine the child carrier for damage or distortion
5.2.1.6 All tests shall be carried out at a temperature of 23
that could affect the safety or function of the child carrier.
6 5°C and after the child carrier has been conditioned at 23 6
5.6.2.5 Damage or distortion that could affect the safety or
5°C for at least 2 h unless otherwise specified.
function of the child carrier constitutes failure of the test.
5.3 General Testing:
5.6.3 High-Temperature Drop Test:
5.3.1 All components of the child carrier shall meet the
5.6.3.1 Store the child carrier for at least 4 h, but not more
flammability requirements defined in 16 CFR Part 1500.44.
than 24 h, at a temperature of 50 6 3°C.
5.3.2 All components of the child carrier shall meet the
5.6.3.2 Mount the child carrier on the test fixture (extra-
requirements of 16 CFR Part 1500.48 regarding sharp points
large 57 cm bike) above a concrete floor. Raise the bike to a
that could cau
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