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Recall Details
| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2002 Release # 02-148 |
Trailer Bike Recall Hotline: (800) 242-6110 CPSC Media Contact: Kim Dulic, (301) 504-7058 |
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 info@instep.net, for a free repair kit with instructions. For more information, consumers can log on to the company's website at www.instep.net 
Note: Individual Commissioners may have statements related to this topic. Please visit www.cpsc.gov/commissioners to search for statements related to this or other topics.
Related Recalls
The bicycle's crank arms can loosen and/or detach from the crank/spindle, posing fall and injury hazards.
The helmets do not comply with the positional stability, dynamic strength of retention system, impact attenuation, and certification requirements in violation of the CPSC federal safety regulation for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.
The power cord can become loose from the treadmill’s power socket, posing a fire hazard.
The zipline’s stainless-steel cable can break, posing a fall hazard.
The Stem Raiser can shift during use, causing the bicycle’s handlebar to shift unexpectantly, posing a fall hazard.
The universal joint can fail and pierce and sever the brake line, posing a crash hazard.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.
Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
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- Report a dangerous product or product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.
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