July 30, 2001
Acetrike Bicycle Co., of
Taiwan, is recalling about 38,800 children's sidewalk bicycles. The frames of
these bikes can break, causing the riders to fall and suffer injuries. Acetrike
and the distributor of the bicycles, Huffy Bicycle Co., have received four
reports of the frames on these bicycles breaking. Two boys, ages 4 and 6,
suffered abrasions and contusions, and a 5-year-old boy suffered a contusion.
The recall includes bicycles having date codes of April 2000 and
earlier. The date code is molded on the bicycles' left rear frame, at the point
of attachment of the rear wheel. The model name is written on the bike's frame.
The following models are involved:
"Cool Taz", 12-inch boy's
style
"Sweet Tweety", 12-inch girl's style
"Mudslinger", 16-inch boy's
style
"Secret Treasures", 16-inch girl's style
"Rugrats", 16-inch boy's
style
"Best Friends", 16-inch girl's style
"Space Racer", 12-inch boy's
style
"Fairy Magic", 12-inch girl's style
"MX1200", 12-inch boy's
style
"High Gear", 12-inch boy's style
"MX 1800", 16-inch boy's style
Discount department, toy, hardware and sporting goods stores, including
Ace Hardware, Ames, Blain Supply, Kay Bee Toys, Meijers, Tru*Serv and Wal-Mart,
sold these bikes nationwide from October 1999 through March 2001 for between $35
and $70.
Consumers should stop riding these bicycles immediately, and
call (888) 366-3828 between 8 a.m. and 7 p.m. ET Monday through Friday or go to
the firm's web site at http://www.huffybikes.com/ to determine if
their bicycle is part of the recall. Consumers with a recalled bicycle will
receive a replacement bicycle free of charge.