The Recall Desk
HighCPSC·93105·Announced 1993-08-30

Zenital Recalls 16-Inch Sidewalk Bicycles Lacking Required Footbrakes

Zenital is recalling approximately 7,900 16-inch sidewalk bicycles with training wheels because they lack required footbrakes and handlebar stem insertion marks.

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 recall involves a risk-of-harm product (bicycles lacking required safety features) where injury has not yet been reported, fitting the criteria for a High severity score.

Plain-English summary

Zenital, Inc. is voluntarily recalling approximately 7,900 16-inch model B-1601 sidewalk bicycles with training wheels. These bicycles were imported from China and sold at swap meets in southern California, Arizona, and Texas between September 1992 and April 1993. The bicycles were labeled with the name Zenital and sold for approximately $30.00 each.

The recalled bicycles are equipped with handbrakes but lack footbrakes, which are required by federal regulations for sidewalk bicycles. Additionally, the bicycles lack handlebar stem insertion marks, which are necessary to ensure the stem is placed at the proper depth in the head tube. The absence of footbrakes may present a risk of injury to young children who might not be able to stop the bicycles using handbrakes alone. The potentially hazardous bicycles were identified during a joint surveillance program conducted by the CPSC and the U.S. Customs Service at the Port of Los Angeles.

Neither the CPSC nor Zenital, Inc. is aware of any injuries involving this product. Consumers with these bicycles should contact Zenital, Inc. at 1-800-888-3558 or write to 10135 Rose Avenue, El Monte, CA 91731 to arrange for the bicycle to be modified for free at a local bicycle dealer. The modification involves replacing the rear wheel with a coaster brake and stamping the handlebar stem with a properly placed permanent minimum insertion mark.

The recalled product

Product
Zenital sidewalk bicycles with training wheels
Manufacturer
Zenital

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.