Tricycles were created, among several reasons, for the purpose of teaching children how to ride bicycles while keeping them relatively safe from accidents and falls. The design of the three-wheeled cycles allows young, smaller riders to keep their balance and avoid tipping over, which could lead to injuries and potentially broken bones. Ultimately, tricycles are meant to be a safe first step for children before they move on to bicycles with training wheels and eventually just two wheels.
Young children who have been learning to ride on certain Huffy tricycles, though, may be in for those dangers despite the company’s best efforts. The Ohio-based bicycle manufacturer has announced the recall of approximately 5,040 20-inch Slider Tricycles after it was determined that the handlebars can unexpectedly loosen, potentially causing the child to lose control of the tricycle and crash, fall or both.
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the tricycles in question were 2012 models sold between January and February of this year for approximately $100 at Toys R Us throughout the U.S. They’re identifiable by the white frame and large “Huffy” and “Slider” stickers on the front and side frames, respectively. The model number of the affected tricycles is 98682, and that can be located on the frame underneath the seats.
While there have been no reported incidents of accidents or injuries associated with these devices as of yet, Huffy and the CPSC are still urging parents to stop allowing their children to ride the Slider tricycles immediately and to contact Huffy at (888) 366-3828 for information about receiving a refund.