Bicycle child carriers pose safety risk for young passengers

In all seasons around the USA one can see toddlers being towed behind mom or dad’s bike protected carefully inside a child bicycle carrier of some kind or another.  Based in Calgary, Canada, Thule Child Transport Systems Ltd. has been making these type of child-safe carriers since 1992.  Their innovative products are sold throughout Canada, the United States and Europe.

On December 11, 2012, the company announced a recall of 44,000 bike trailers and 19,000 bike trailer conversion kits due to a concern that the hitch device can break or crack causing the trailer to disconnect from the bike.  This creates the potential for injury to the child passenger.

Thule has received twenty-four incident reports globally where this detachment occurred.  No injuries were reported in any of the incidents.

Chariot bicycle trailers involved in the recall were sold at specialty bike stores and websites from December 2005 through August 2010. Look for the serial # ranging from 1205-xxxx through 0710-xxxx on the left side of the frame.

Chariot conversion kits involved in the recall were sold at the same locations mentioned above during the date range of October 2002 through August 2011. The conversion kits can be identified by looking for Model # 20100503 printed on the aluminum hitch arm near the warning label. HOWEVER, older version of the conversion kit is also being called back. The older kits do not have a warning label, but instead have a push-button attachment where the hitch attaches to the carrier.

Anyone possessing one of the recalled products should stop using them and contact Chariot Carriers for a free repair kit and installation instructions.  The company can be reached by phone at (800) 262-8651 or on their website www.chariotcarriers.com.