This blog has discussed a number of issues surrounding motorcycle and bicycle safety. Over the years, an ever growing number of parents recognize the benefit of providing their children with proper safety gear when riding bicycles. Bicycle accidents cause far too many injuries among our youth. Now the Consumer Product Safety Commission has announced a recall of more than 30,000 bicycle helmets after tests showed that the helmets pose a safety risk.
The helmets at issue were put on the market by Triple Eight Distribution. The CPSC says the helmets, known on the market as Little Tricky bicycle helmets for kids, fail to meet safety standards and pose a risk for head trauma and brain injury in a bike accident. The helmets are considered multipurpose helmets, but are also sold for use as bicycle helmets for children and teens in the United States.
While a cyclist can obviously experience in a bicycle accident involving a motor vehicle, the bike helmet recall highlights the serious risks our youth face in merely falling from a bike. If the safety gear has a design flaw, it may not provide the proper protection that it was intended to perform.
The CPSC says that the Little Tricky helmets fall short of the safety standards set for impact resistance. A child wearing one of the reportedly faulty helmets could suffer a traumatic brain injury in a simple fall.
The helmets have been on the market for a number of years and consumers are urged to stop using the products immediately. The helmets subject to the recall are identified as Triple Eight and Sector 9 size “S/M” EPS Liner helmets. They originally were introduced in August 2006 and have been sold in bicycle and sports stores, as well as online.
Source: WTAE, “Bike Helmets Recalled Due To Head Injury Risk,” Jan. 11, 2012
