79,000 Bike Helmets for Kids, Adults Recalled After Test Failures
At the height of the summer biking season, two companies are voluntarily recalling about 79,000 bicycle helmets after government regulators found the headgear failed safety tests and would not adequately protect children or adults from serious or fatal head injuries.
A third company is recalling 2,200 trailers that are attached to bicycles to transport children.
The Consumer Product Safety Commission said it did not know of any injuries or deaths as a result of the flawed helmets but was publicizing the problem to prevent casualties. There has been one report of a minor injury associated with the faulty trailer.
Rand International of Farmingdale, N.Y., is recalling 70,000 of its L.A. Cruisin’ models that were sold in child, youth and adult sizes.
The youth- and adult-sized helmets are white or black and the child sizes are either blue or pink.
The helmets were sold nationwide at Kmart and Rose’s stores from April 1999 through March 2000 for about $8.
Cycle Express Inc. of New York also is recalling about 9,000 bicycle helmets. The girls’ helmets are mostly pink mixed with silver glitter, and the pink part is bordered by purple tape. Decals on the helmets read “Hearts & Flowers.” The helmets are size small, for ages 2 through 5.
The helmets were sold with a bike bag-purse combo and hair accessories at Toys R Us stores nationwide from October 1999 through April 2000 for about $13.
The Rand helmets can be returned to the company for a free replacement.
The Cypress helmets should be returned to the store for a $7 refund, which is the value of a helmet without the accessories.
Burley Design Cooperative of Eugene, Ore., is recalling about 2,200 Burley-Bravo bicycle trailers, which are used to transport young children behind bikes.
The wheel can separate from the trailers and result in crashes and injuries to children riding inside.
Consumers can contact Rand International at (800) 338-7677 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday; Cycle Express toll-free at (877) 714-6117 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday; and Burley at (800) 311-5294 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. PDT Monday through Friday.
