The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·23216·Announced 2023-06-08

Giro Merit Bicycle Helmets Recalled for Head Injury Risk

Bell Sports is recalling about 15,000 Giro Merit bicycle helmets because they do not meet federal safety standards and can fail to protect in a crash, risking head injury. Consumers should stop using them and contact Giro for a free replacement or refund.

What this means for you

Real risk of harm even if no illness or injury has been reported yet. Stop using the product and follow the agency's guidance.

Our severity reasoning: The helmets fail to meet federal safety standards and pose a risk of head injury in a crash—a risk-of-harm product where injury has not yet been reported. Per the rubric, this qualifies as "High" severity.

Plain-English summary

Bell Sports Inc. is recalling approximately 15,000 Giro Merit bicycle helmets manufactured prior to January 2023. The recalled helmets do not comply with U.S. CPSC federal safety standards for bicycle helmets and can fail to protect the wearer in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.

The recalled helmets can be identified by the model name "Merit" printed on the rear or side of the helmet, or by the inner sticker that displays "Merit" and the code "GH230." These helmets were sold nationwide at retailers including Epicenter Cycling, Freewheel Bike West Bank, and Velotech, as well as online through Giro.com, Backcountry.com, and other websites from September 2021 through January 2023 for approximately $220. About 1,465 additional units were sold in Canada.

No injuries have been reported. Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled helmets and contact Giro for a free replacement helmet or a full refund. Giro can be reached at 800-456-2355 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. CT Monday through Friday, by email at [email protected], or online at Giro.com and its recall information page.

The recalled product

Product
Giro Merit Bicycle Helmets
Manufacturer
Bell Sports Inc., of Scotts Valley, California
Category
Consumer Product — Bicycle Helmets
Hazard
  • safety-standard-noncompliance
  • head-injury
  • crash-protection-failure
Affected units
15,000

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

Related recalls

Same category