Now that the holidays are over, many Massachusetts children will be enjoying all their new gifts and toys. Many children have received new bicycles and safety equipment for the holidays. There are two recalls that Massachusetts parents should be aware of before the warmer weather comes and children head out to the local park with their bicycles.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has put out a recall on 2011 Forté Pro Carbon Road Pedals imported by Performance, Inc of North Carolina. These pedals are sold in sets of two and made to attach to cycling shoes. These pedals are made for performance bicycles. They are black with a lightweight carbon injected thermoplastic. The axle is a black and made of chromium molybdenum steel with a black steel axle. The front, top of the pedal has "Carbon" printed in red; the top middle has "EPS-R" embossed in the body with the "R" in red and on the top rear of the pedal the word "Forté" printed in white. The outer edge of the pedal has the Forté logos, crossed F's, in white. The catalog number, 50-8128, is used in all catalogs.
The recall was made after there were three reports made of the pedals breaking while in use. The pedal breaking or cracking during use could cause riders to lose control and pose a potential fall hazard, which could cause serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or fractures.
Another product that has been recalled is the Bicycle Helmets for Children and Youth by Triple Eight Distribution, Inc., of Port Washington, N.Y. The description from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is "multi-purpose helmets also sold for use as bicycle helmets. Little Tricky helmets are marketed for children and youth, and feature a large Little Tricky logo on both sides of the helmet. They come in one size and in black, white, pink and green. Triple Eight S/M EPS Liner helmets feature a hard black inner EPS foam liner and come in black, white, bone, blue and army green. Sector 9 S/M EPS Liner helmets feature the same EPS liner and come in gray, white, black, blue and green. Both the Triple Eight and Sector 9 helmets have an interior label indicating the size "S/M" for small/medium and a manufacture date indicated as month/year (ex. APR/2011). Only Triple Eight and Sector 9 size "S/M" EPS Liner helmets are affected."
These helmets do not comply with the safety standards of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission for impact resistance. Children could suffer serious head injuries upon an impact while wearing this product. About 30,400 Helmets were that were sold at bicycle and sports stores and other retailers nationwide and online from August 2006 through November 2011 for about $40 are being recalled.
Parents who bicycle with their children in tow should also be aware of a recall for bicycle trailers. About 44,000 bicycle trailers and 70,000 bicycle trailer conversion kits made by Thule Child Transport Systems Ltd., d/b/a Chariot Carriers, of Calgary, Canada have been recalled by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission as well. Chariot Carriers are made to convert into strollers, jogging strollers and bike, hike or ski trailers. They were sold at specialty bicycle stores nationwide and on various websites from December 2005 through August 2010 for between $400 and $925 for Chariot bicycle trailers and from October 2002 through August 2011 for between $40 and $70 for bicycle trailer conversion kits. The reason for the recall is that the bicycle trailer's hitch mechanisms can crack and break, causing the trailer to detach from the bicycle. This poses an injury hazard to children in the bicycle trailer. The child could fall from the trailer causing serious injuries such as fractures or head injuries.
Bicycle riding can be dangerous. It is important to make sure that you and your children are always safe while riding a bicycle. If any of these recalls affect you or your loved ones, be sure to check out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission website for instructions on refunds or replacements.
If you or a loved one has been seriously injured due to a product recall, contact Boston Products Liability attorneys at Sheff Law at 617-227-7000 or toll free at 888-423-4477 to discuss your rights.
