Frames break without impact
Babboe has to recall eight cargo bike models
February 16, 2024, 1:38 p.m
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Several models of the cargo bikes from the Dutch company Babboe, which are also popular in Germany, are largely unsafe. The German market is also affected by an officially ordered recall.
Dutch authorities have stopped the sale of Babboe cargo bikes due to safety defects. “The safety of cargo bikes is insufficiently guaranteed,” explained the control authority for food and goods NWWA. The Dutch company also has to recall eight models. When contacted in Amersfoort, the company said it was working closely with the authorities.
Trade in Germany is also affected: As a precautionary measure, the company has decided to temporarily stop selling all Babboe cargo bikes, it wrote on its German website. According to its own information, the company is the market leader for cargo bikes in Europe.
The following models are being recalled:
- Babboe City/ City-E/ City Mountain
- Babboe Curve/ Curve-E/ Curve Mountain
- Babboe Big/Big E
- Babboe Dog/ Dog-E
- Babboe Max E
- Babboe Mini-E/Mini Mountain
- Babboe Pro Trike/ Trike-E/ Trike XL
- Babboe Carve-E/ Carve Mountain
The Dutch TV station RTL had previously reported serious security deficiencies. There were numerous reports that bicycle frames had broken without any external influence. The authorities accuse the company of not reporting the defects. The cause of the defects was also not sufficiently investigated and no measures were taken. It is currently being investigated whether criminal investigations should be initiated.
According to the authorities, the risk of the frame breaking of the bikes that have now been recalled is high. “This can lead to very serious injuries. For example, if children fall out of the box while cycling. Especially in heavy traffic.” The authority advises customers to stop using Babboe bikes for the time being.