PBMA debuts certified shop scheme

The PBMA has launched a new Certified Shop program, based on its own Mechanics’ Certification and focusing on a shop’s service credentials.

According to the mechanics’ organisation, a Certified Shop is a shop employing Certified Professional Bicycle Mechanics and is a genuine resource within its community. The upside  of the scheme will apparently see shops 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 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 can apply here.

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.

Drawing support from around the industry, CABDA’s Jim Kersten adds: “It is high time our industry came together to focus on service, and PBMA is the only organisation 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.”