The Standards and Code of the BC Bicycle Mechanics Guild exist to:
- Protect public safety
- Preserve professional integrity
- Define minimum expectations of competence
- Provide a clear basis for accountability
These standards apply to all Guild members, regardless of employment status, seniority, or specialization.
Core Principles
All Guild standards are grounded in three principles:
- Competence — work is performed only within the limits of training and ability
- Integrity — honesty in diagnosis, service, communication, and representation
- Safety — public and rider safety takes precedence over speed, profit, or convenience
These principles guide all interpretation and enforcement of the Code.
Competence Standard
Guild members shall:
- Maintain the technical knowledge required for the work they perform
- Decline or refer work they are not qualified to perform safely
- Follow manufacturer specifications and accepted industry practices
- Seek training when working with unfamiliar systems or technologies
Misrepresentation of skill level or certification is a breach of this standard.
Safety Standard
Guild members shall:
- Verify steering, braking, and critical fasteners after service
- Use correct torque values where specified
- Perform test verification appropriate to the work completed
- Follow safe procedures for e-bike batteries, electrical systems, and high-energy components
No service decision may knowingly compromise rider or public safety.
Service & Workmanship
Guild members shall:
- Perform work to a professional and consistent standard
- Use parts appropriate to the application and rider use
- Avoid counterfeit, unsafe, or unsuitable components
- Document critical service actions where appropriate
Shortcuts that compromise safety or durability are unacceptable.
Honesty & Communication
Guild members shall:
- Communicate service needs clearly and truthfully
- Obtain informed consent before performing chargeable work
- Avoid unnecessary or misleading upselling
- Represent diagnoses accurately, including uncertainty when present
Trust is a professional obligation.
Ethical Conduct
Guild members shall:
- Act in good faith with customers, employers, and colleagues
- Avoid conflicts of interest or disclose them when unavoidable
- Respect customer property and confidentiality
- Refrain from harassment, intimidation, or abusive conduct in professional contexts
Professional conduct extends beyond technical work.
Guild Name & Certification Use
Guild members shall:
- Use Guild credentials accurately and only as earned
- Not imply endorsement beyond the scope of certification
- Not use the Guild name for misleading promotion or coercion
- Not represent the Guild as supporting a brand, product, or political position
The Guild is independent and non-corporate.
Complaints & Accountability
The Guild maintains a formal process for:
- Receiving complaints
- Reviewing evidence
- Determining whether standards were breached
- Requiring corrective action, training, suspension, or removal
Discipline is corrective, not punitive, and exists to protect the public and the trade.
Training without fair compensation produces skilled workers who can’t afford to stay.
Guild standards exist to protect both competence and retention.
Guild standards mandate fair wages across all experience levels, directly addressing burnout and attrition within the trade.
Ensures senior mechanics receive appropriate compensation, recognizing their extensive experience and advanced skill sets.
Establishes a documented wage and achievement hierarchy, fostering professional growth and long-term career progression for all members.
Public Access to Standards
The Guild’s:
- Code of Ethics
- Core Standards
- Enforcement framework
are publicly accessible.
Transparency is essential to trust.
Closing Statement
Membership in the BC Bicycle Mechanics Guild signifies a commitment to professional competence, ethical conduct, and public safety.
The Guild exists to raise the standard — not to lower the bar.
Competence. Integrity. Safety.
The BC Bicycle Mechanics Guild is in its founding phase and is in the process of incorporation as a British Columbia non-profit society.
Purpose of the Standards