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Hitchhiker III Trailer Bikes

CPSC Recall #02-148 — April 24, 2002

Recall Summary

Recall Number02-148
Recall DateApril 24, 2002
Remedy TypeRepair
Units AffectedAbout 4,300

Where It Was Sold

Retail stores nationwide
including Toys "R" Us
The Sports Authority and One Step Ahead
sold the bikes from February 2001 through May 2001 for between $80 and $110.

Product

Hitchhiker III Trailer Bikes

Description

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, (CPSC), InSTEP LLC, of Mendota Heights, Minn., is voluntarily recalling about 4,300 Hitchhiker III Trailer Bikes. The bike's universal joint system can fail, causing a rider to lose control of the bike. This poses a risk of injury to either of the two riders.CPSC and InSTEP have received 10 reports of universal joint systems failing, including three reports of consumers who suffered contusions and abrasions.The recalled Hitchhiker III trailer bikes are attached to a lead bicycle by a universal joint system with two side bolts and a top- mounted quick-release bolt (as seen in the photo below). The recalled NH300 model trailer bikes have the words "HITCHHIKER III" printed in red on the trailer arm and the "InSTEP" logo printed on the bottom tube and the safety flag.Retail stores nationwide, including Toys "R" Us, The Sports Authority and One Step Ahead, sold the bikes from February 2001 through May 2001 for between $80 and $110.Consumers should stop using these trailer bikes immediately and contact InSTEP at (800) 242-6110 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or by e-mail at [email protected], for a free repair kit with instructions. For more information, consumers can log on to the company's website at www.instep.net. 

Hazard

The bike's universal joint system can fail, causing a rider to lose control of the bike. This poses a risk of injury to either of the two riders.

Incidents & Injuries

CPSC and InSTEP have received 10 reports of universal joint systems failing, including three reports of consumers who suffered contusions and abrasions.

Remedy Instructions

Consumers should stop using these trailer bikes immediately and contact InSTEP at (800) 242-6110 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, or by e-mail at [email protected], for a free repair kit with instructions. 

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.

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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.

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