Classification for Bicycle Usage

 

All bicycles are designed and manufactured to be ridden in certain locations and conditions.

Therefore, it is important to choose the right bicycle for the intended use.

To make the information easier to understand, we have compiled the classification of the conditions of use of bicycles and the method of identification according to the European standard approved by CEN (European Committee for Standardization).

 

Bike Category	Intended riding purpose	Description	Type of bicycles (examples)
1	Commuting and leisure with moderate effort	Applies to bicycles and EPACs* used on regular paved surfaces where the tyres are intended to maintain ground contact at average speed with occasional drop.	City and urban bikes
2	Leisure and trekking with moderate effort	Applies to bicycles and EPACs and includes Condition 1 as well as unpaved and gravel roads and trails with moderate gradients. In this set of conditions, contact with irregular terrain and repeated tyre contact with the ground may occur. Drops are intended to be limited to 15 cm or less.	Trekking bike, travel bike
3	Sportive and competitive with moderately challenging technical trail features	Applies to bicycles and EPACs and includes Condition 1 and Condition 2 as well as rough trails, rough unpaved roads, and rough terrain and unimproved trails that require technical skills.Jumps and drops are intended to be less than 60 cm.	Cross country and marathon
4	Sportive and competitive with highly challenging technical trail features	Applies to bicycles and EPACs and includes Condition 1, 2, and 3, or downhill gradients on rough trails at speeds less than 40 km/h, or both. Jumps are intended to be less than 120 cm.	All mountain, trail
5	Extreme sports	Applies to bicycles and EPACs and includes Condition 1, 2, 3, and 4; extreme jumping; or downhill gradients on rough trails at speeds in excess of 40 km/h; or a combination thereof.	Downhill, dirt jump, freeride
6	Sportive and competitive with intensive effort	Applies to bicycles and EPACs and includes Condition 1, to be used in competition or otherwise at high speed in excess of 50 km/h such as when descending or sprinting.	Road racing, time trial, triathlon

 

* EPAC, electrically power assisted cycle.
Cycle, equipped with pedals and an auxiliary electric motor, which cannot be propelled exclusively by means of this auxiliary electric motor, except in the start-up assistance mode.