The Product Safety Standards (Pedal Bicycles) Amendment Regulations 2003 came into effect on Friday 12 September 2003.

The amendment was necessary to fix an anomaly between the Regulations and the definition of "supply" under the Fair Trading Act 1986 that was preventing Police and others from selling secondhand bicycles on an "as is where is" basis.

The amendment exempts secondhand bicycles from the Product Safety (Pedal Bicycles) Regulations 2000, recognising the realities of selling secondhand bicycles and the "not-for-profit" transactions that take place.

Families will also be able to gift or on-sell secondhand bicycles without the risk of acting outside the law.

However the general safety provisions of the Consumer Guarantees Act 1993 still covers bicycles bought from a trader. A secondhand bicycle is expected to be roadworthy and to meet minimum performance standards unless otherwise agreed between the buyer and trader.

Consumers should never take bicycle safety for granted. Anyone unsure of the roadworthiness of a bicycle should consult a qualified bicycle mechanic.

For further information on your rights as a consumer, see the Fact Sheet on the Consumer Guarantees Act Made Simple.

Click on this link to read a Land Transport Safety Authority Fact Sheet on bicycle safety.