PBMA CERTIFIED SHOP

PBMA CERTIFIED SHOP PROGRAM GOES LIVE

​The PBMA announced today that it has launched a Certified Shop program, based on its own Mechanics’ Certification and focusing on a shop’s service credentials.
 
A PBMA Certified Shop is a shop employing Certified Professional Bicycle Mechanics and is a genuine resource within its community.  Certified Shops will gain insurance discounts, streamlined distributor access, and two mechanic memberships per location.
 
“The idea of the program is to highlight shops that are focused on service and provide qualified service to consumers.  By certifying their mechanical staff and recognizing the shop as a leader in service, we can highlight the businesses as well as the technicians in our certified directory,” said PBMA President James Stanfill.
 
The PBMA Certified Shop program is not exclusive to traditional bicycle shops; the program recognizes all legitimate bicycle businesses, including mobile, service-only, and brick-and-mortar shops.
 
“In January, we had a great discussion with a handful of independent mobile owners and came to the conclusion that there are challenges for legitimacy within our industry for businesses that aren’t built in the traditional sense.
 
In discussion with owners of traditional shops, mobile shops, and service-only enterprises, we thought the best way forward in our changing industry would be to continue to look specifically at service and what service can provide for the shop and the community,” Stanfill said.
 
Shops interested in joining the PBMA and applying to be certified may visit:
https://www.probma.org/pbma-certified-shop.html
 
The application process gathers data to verify that the shop is operating legally per their local laws and in a professional manner.  PBMA Mechanics’ Certification is presently open and free for members of the Association, with additional in-person certification set to launch at Interbike Marketweek later this year.

​Comments from around the industry:
 
Jim Kersten said, “CABDA fully supports this latest development from the PBMA. It is high time our industry came together to focus on service, and PBMA is the only organization in our industry that can do it.  Creating an organization that serves the interests of mobile operators, service-only folks, as well as traditional IBDs is hugely important to the future viability of our profession. Going forward, we will be curtailing our membership component in order to more fully support the PBMA’s Shop Certification program”
 
“As an owner/operator of an independent mobile bicycle service I applaud the efforts of the PBMA in creating standards and certifications for bicycle mechanics. Operating as a PBMA Certified Shop will only add to the confidence my clients have in me as a mechanic. The certification process will also help ensure that the industry standards needed to assemble modern bicycles are highlighted and adhered to. This in turn will build confidence within the bike industry of service driven shops”, said David Ricker of Pedalin’ Fools Mobile Bicycle Services
 
Michael Gavagan, owner of Gav the Mechanic, a service-only shop in Boulder, Colorado said, “Having Certified Mechanic and Certified Shops will provide the accountability that consumers are looking for when seeking out a shop that can provide that higher level of professionalism.”
 
Existing PBMA Shop Members, CABDA Dealer Members, and mobile repair options Velofix and Beeline Bikes, already corporate supporters of the PBMA, will have their locations fast-tracked into the PBMA Certified Shop Program.