AUSTIN, Texas (BRAIN) — The Professional Bicycle Mechanics Association is now offering bike shops — including mobile and service-only operations — the opportunity to be designated as PBMA Certified Shops.
To qualify, at least half an operation's service staff must be PBMA certified mechanics. Shops also have to show they are legitimate businesses, meeting whatever legal registrations are required in their community. The annual cost is $175 for the first location and $100 per additional location.
Benefits include two free PBMA mechanic memberships per location, a listing in a PBMA directory, access to Myagi tech training videos, access to discounts on insurance, tools and other services and materials, and market trends and service data reports. Certified shops will also receive "PBMA Certified Shop" materials that can be used in the store and on the web.
“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's president, James Stanfill.
The PBMA announced earlier this spring that it was working with a group of independent mobile service operators, and Stanfill noted that the Certified Shop program is open to mobile businesses if they meet the criteria.
“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.
More information and an application are at probma.org/pbma-certified-shop.
