16-inch model B-1601 Zenital sidewalk bicycles

CPSC Recall #93-105 - August 29, 1993

Recall Summary

Recall Number93-105
Recall DateAugust 29, 1993
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 7,900
Manufactured InChina

Where It Was Sold

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.

Product

16-inch model B-1601 Zenital sidewalk bicycles

Description

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 hand brakes but no foot brakes and lack handlebar stem insertion marks. Federal regulations require the bicycles be equipped with both hand brakes and foot brakes and handlebar stem insertion marks. Sidewalk bicycles with handbrakes, but no foot brakes, 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 foot brakes 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 foot brakes, may present a significant risk of injury to young children who might not be able to stop the bicycles using hand brakes 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 Zenital, Inc. is aware of any injuries involving this product. This voluntary recall is being conducted to prevent possible 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.

Hazard

The bicycles have hand brakes, but no foot brakes and lack handlebar stem insertion marks. Federal regulations require the bicycles be equipped with both hand brakes and foot brakes and handlebar stem insertion marks. Sidewalk bicycles with handbrakes, but no foot brakes, may present a risk of injury to young children who might not be able to stop the bicycles using handbrakes.

Incidents & Injuries

Neither CPSC nor Zenital, Inc. is aware of any injuries involving this product.

Remedy Instructions

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.

What Should You Do?

Stop using this product immediately. Contact the manufacturer for a Repair at no charge. If you experienced an injury, report it at SaferProducts.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Follow the consumer action instructions in the recall notice above. Most recalls require you to stop using the product and contact the manufacturer directly, either by calling the toll-free number listed in the official CPSC notice or by visiting the manufacturer's website. You generally do not need a receipt or original packaging to claim a remedy. The manufacturer is legally required to provide the remedy (Repair) at no cost to you.

Yes. If you were injured by a defective consumer product, whether recalled or not, you may have grounds for a product liability claim against the manufacturer and potentially the retailer. A recall notice can serve as evidence that the manufacturer was aware of the defect. Injuries that may support a claim include burns, lacerations, fractures, electric shock, choking incidents, and chemical exposure. Most product liability attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless you win. Consult an attorney promptly, as statutes of limitation vary by state.

In most cases, no. CPSC-coordinated recall remedies are designed to be accessible without proof of purchase. Manufacturers typically ask consumers to self-certify ownership and may ask for photos of the product or its serial number. Some manufacturers request that you mail in a portion of the product (such as a cut cord or removed component) as proof of disposal. Check the specific remedy instructions for this recall for exact requirements. If you registered your product at the time of purchase, the process is usually even simpler.

If the original manufacturer has gone out of business, the recall remedy may no longer be available through them. In this case, contact CPSC directly at 1-800-638-2772 or cpsc.gov for guidance. If the brand was acquired by another company, the acquiring company may have assumed recall obligations. In some cases where a remedy is unavailable, CPSC advises consumers to safely dispose of the product. If you were injured by the product of a defunct company, consult a product liability attorney, parent companies, distributors, and retailers may still bear liability in some circumstances.