Thousands of bicycles and child bicycle seats are being recalled, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) just announced.
Topeak Babyseat™ II Bicycle Carrier Seats
About 40,000 Topeak Babyseat™ II Bicycle Carrier Seats have been recalled because a child can place his/her fingers in the opening at the grab bar’s hinge mechanism. Lifting the grab bar to remove the child from the seat can cause the child’s fingertips to become caught in the hinge mechanism, which poses a laceration and fingertip amputation hazard to the child. To date, the firm has received two reports of incidents, including near amputations that resulted in stitches and a crushed finger.
The recalled Topeak Babyseat™ II Bicycle Carrier Seats were manufactured in Taiwan; imported by Todson Inc., of North Attleboro, Massachusetts; and sold at J&B Imports, REI, Action and Hawley, independent bicycle dealers, distributors, and other retail stores nationwide, and online at REI.com from January 2009 through April 2012. The recalled baby seats sold for between $140 and $180.
Topeak Babyseat II Bicycle Carrier Seats with model numbers TCS2100, TCS2101, and TCS2102 are involved; model numbers can be found on the product’s packaging. The recalled Topeak Babyseats are gray and were sold in three styles: Babyseat, Babyseat with disc brake compatible rack, and Babyseat with nondisc brake compatible rack. The racks mount the seat to the bicycle. “Topeak” is embossed on the back of the seat and is also printed on a black foam protector that covers the grab bar. A red locking lever on the side of the blue grab bar locks the bar into place.
The recalling firm advises consumers to immediately stop using the recalled Topeak Babyseat II Bicycle Carrier Seats and contact Todson to receive a free hinge cover retrofit kit. Todson can be reached, toll-free, at 1.800.250.3068, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time (ET), Monday through Friday, or at the firm’s web site at www.todson.com.
Public Bike Bicycles
About 4,100 2010 – 2012 model year bicycles, whose pedals were manufactured in Taiwan by Wellgo Pedals Corp. Taiwan are being recalled. The bicycles were imported by Public Bikes Inc. of San Francisco, California and sold at Public Bikes & Gear in San Francisco and other Public Bikes dealers in 16 states nationwide and publicbikes.com from April 2010 through January 2012. The recalled bicycles retailed for between $500 and $1,250.
The pedals can crack and break, posing a fall hazard to the rider. To date, Public Bikes has received 24 reports of pedals cracking. No injuries have been reported.
Eighteen models of women’s and men’s Public Bikes, sold in an array of colors and sizes are involved. The words “Public” or “Publicbikes.com” is printed on either the bicycle chain guard or the rear fender. The recalled bicycles also have a metal “badge” at the top of the down tube with one of the following numbers stamped on it: 1-5843, 5845, 12560, 20743, or 20757. The “Apple” model, which has no badge, is also included in this recall. The pedals—both the top and bottom—are embossed with the word “Wellgo”; all bicycles with Wellgo pedals are included in this recall.
The recalling firm advises consumers to immediately stop riding the recalled bicycles and contact Public Bikes or an authorized Public Bikes dealer for free replacement pedals. The recalled pedals have a black spindle, the replacement pedal spindles are chrome. Public Bikes can be reached, toll-free, at 1.855.840.1400 between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time (PT), Monday through Friday, or at the firm’s web site at www.publicbikes.com.
