Wisconsin-based Trek Bicycle Corporation has recalled more than 1 million bicycles it sold in a period covering a decade and a half, i.e., from September 1990 to date. The move came after three instances of injuries attributed to a mechanical fault in Trek’s bikes. The problem is because of the quick release lever affixed to the bike’s front wheel. This lever, when opened, can come into contact with the brake assembly of this wheel and block it, causing the bike to stop suddenly. At times, such contact with the disc break makes the front wheel fly away. Same quick release lever has been used in many of Trek’s models released for the years above. The lever is either silver or black in color.
The three instances mentioned by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) include a man who has been rendered quadriplegic as he was paralyzed for the whole life. Of the other two, one sustained injuries to his face, whereas the other had the wrist broken. CPSC has also asked people to stop using Trek bikes till Trek manages to complete repairs.
Trek has sold almost 900,000 of its bikes within the US in the above mentioned period. In addition, this bicycle manufacturer also exported 98,000 bikes to Canada. All these bikes need some tweaking without which they will continue to cause such accidents. It is difficult to ask all Trek bike owners to bring their bikes to the company’s dealers and have the lever replaced free of cost, especially if these bike owners have never had similar experiences. To encourage people to come forward for inspection of their Trek bikes is not easy. The company’s dealers have started replacing the faulty lever that malfunctions in Trek’s bikes. Trek is also offering an incentive in the form of $20 coupon to bike owners, which can be redeemed on or before December 31, 2015.
Last year, Wisconsin’s Governor, Scott Walker, did express regrets about Trek having outsourced the manufacturing jobs to China because of lower wages there in Milwaukee Sentinel Journal. The company has earned in billions over the years.
Trek has not been sued so far by the injured, including the paralyzed man. But this does not mean that Trek will get away without paying for its neglect. Sooner or later, Trek would have to pay compensation to the three persons who sustained grave injuries.
1 Comment
You write this inflammatory article about an industry-wide issue that is based off of people not putting their wheel on properly. It is not Trek’s fault that these accidents happened any more than it would be Ford’s fault if your wheel fell off and you hit a tree because you forgot to tighten the wheel lug nuts.