The National Consumer Affairs Center is urging buyers to immediately stop using certain folding bicycles from U.S. manufacturer Dahon after safety tests revealed a potential risk of the bike¡¯s frame breaking during use.
The warning follows an incident reported in May 2023, involving a man in his 40s who was injured in Nagano Prefecture the previous month. The aluminum frame of his Dahon Horize Disc Shimano Altus 8-speed folding bicycle broke while he was riding, causing him to fall. He sustained severe injuries, including a lacerated chin requiring five stitches and broken teeth.
The model was produced in China and 734 vehicles were shipped to Japan from August 2021 until January of this year by Akibo, the bike¡¯s importer.
In response, the consumer center launched an investigation into the bike¡¯s design and construction. Inspectors found that the rear frame of the model lacked proper welding in key areas. Specifically, there were no weld marks on the joining surfaces, and multiple gaps were discovered where the hinge area was not fully welded. Voids were also present between the weld bead and the frame.
Further testing of a new frame of the same model, made from aluminum alloy, revealed that it still did not meet the required fatigue strength standards. The bike¡¯s frame developed cracks in the welds after undergoing only half the number of load cycles specified in safety guidelines.
The center concluded that weak welds were the cause of fatigue cracks, which could lead to the frame breaking during use. The issue has been classified as a serious product defect under the Consumer Product Safety Act and has been listed on the center¡¯s website.
In response to the findings, Akibo has initiated a recall of the model, and stated that they will issue free repairs to consumers. Consumers who own these bicycles are urged to check Akibo¡¯s recall notice to determine whether their bike is affected. If so, they are advised to stop using the bike immediately and contact either the retailer where it was purchased or Akibo for assistance.
¡°There¡¯s no immediate visible sign of a defect,¡± the consumer center warned. ¡°If the frame fails while riding at high speed, it could result in a serious accident.¡±
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