Frames break without impact
Babboe has to recall eight cargo bike models
This audio version was artificially generated. More info | Send feedback
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 the cargo bikes is insufficiently guaranteed,” said the NWWA, the Dutch Food and Goods Inspection Authority. The Dutch company also has to recall eight models. When asked, the company in Amersfoort said it was working closely with the authorities.
The trade in Germany is also affected: The company has decided as a precautionary measure to temporarily stop selling all Babboe cargo bikes, it wrote on its German website. The company claims to be 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 on serious safety defects. There had been numerous reports that bicycle frames had broken without any external influence. The authority accuses the company of not reporting the defects. The cause of the defects was also not sufficiently investigated and no measures were taken. An investigation is currently underway to determine whether criminal investigations should be initiated.
The risk of the frame breaking is high for the bikes that have now been recalled, according to the authority. “This can lead to very serious injuries. For example, if children fall out of the bike while cycling. Especially in heavy traffic.” The authority advises customers not to use Babboe bikes for the time being.
