Sidewalk Bicycle (Zenital) - safety concern (1993)

Check Your Product

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

Reason for Recall

As stated by CPSC

AUGUST 30, 1993 Release # 93-105 PRODUCT: Approximately 7,900 16-inch model B-1601 Zenital sidewalk bicycles with training wheels. The bicycles, labeled with the name Zenital were imported from China and sold at swap meets in southern California, Arizona, and Texas between September 1992 and April 1993. PROBLEM: The bicycles have handbrakes but no footbrakes and lack handlebar stem insertion marks. Federal regulations require the bicycles be equipped with both handbrakes and footbrakes and handlebar stem insertion marks. Sidewalk bicycles with handbrakes, but no footbrakes, may present a risk of injury to young children who might not be able to stop the bicycles using handbrakes. WHAT TO DO: Consumers with these bicycles should contact Zenital, 10135 Rose Avenue, El Monte, CA 91731 or on 1-800-888-3558 to arrange for the bicycle to be modified for free at a local bicycle dealer. WASHINGTON, DC -- CPSC, Zenital, Inc. of El Monte, CA is voluntarily recalling about 7,900 16-inch model B-1601, Zenital sidewalk bicycles with training wheels. The bicycles are equipped with handbrakes, but no footbrakes and lack handlebar stem insertion marks. Federal regulations do not permit sidewalk bicycles to be equipped with handbrakes only and all bicycles must have handlebar stem insertion marks. Sidewalk bicycles with handbrakes, but without footbrakes, may present a significant risk of injury to young children who might not be able to stop the bicycles using handbrakes only. The handlebar stem insertion mark is required to place the stem at the proper depth in the head tube of the bicycle. The bicycles, labeled with the name Zenital were imported from China and sold at swap meets in southern California, Arizona, and Texas between September 1992 and April 1993. The bikes sold for approximately $30.00 each. The potentially hazardous bicycles were identified during a joint surveillance program conducted by CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Los Angeles. Consumers who have these bicycles should write to Zenital, Inc., 10135 Rose Avenue, El Monte, CA 91731, or they may call the firm at 1-800-888-3558 to arrange for the bicycle to be modified for free at a local bicycle dealer. Zenital, Inc. will have the dealers replace the rear wheel with a coaster brake and stamp the handlebar stem with a properly placed permanent minimum insertion mark. Neither CPSC nor the Zenital, Inc. is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent possible of injuries. Consumers with questions about this recall may contact Zenital, Inc. at 1-800-888-3558. CPSC is announcing this replacement program as part of its mission to protect the public from unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with consumer products. The Commission's objective is to reduce the estimated 28.6 million injuries and 21,700 deaths associated each year with the 15,000 different types of consumer products under CPSC's jurisdiction

Recommended Action

Per CPSC guidance

The CPSC advises consumers to stop using the product. Contact the manufacturer or return the product to the place of purchase.