• Summer is just around the corner, many of us will be spending more and more time outdoors - also with children.
• The Trade Inspection Authority examined kids' bikes and bike seats for their safety - irregularities were reported in every fourth product.
• What to pay attention to when choosing a kid’s bike and bike seat?

In the third quarter of 2019, the Trade Inspection Authority audited the safety of kid's bikes and bike seats. The inspectors examined 239 product batches (168 bikes and 71 bike seats) and questioned 63 of them (46 bikes and 17 seats), i.e. somewhat over 26%. Three years earlier, as many as one third of the batches tested were defective.

As regards 14 questioned batches (slightly more than 22% of the all questioned), the defects identified might have had a direct impact on users' safety. One of the most common defects was the use of clamps as saddle height adjustment, which might have made it too easy for a child to adjust it on their own. Other irregularities included, inter alia, protruding bolts or sharp-edged nuts. Some bikes also lacked a full chainguard. There were also cases reported where the bike seat was insufficiently attached to the bicycle, while another lacked a harness to keep the child in a safe position or a child's feet protective covers. Another seat was tested by the inspectors in the laboratory - during these tests the shoulder straps and crotch strap got detached from the seat.

58 batches audited during the batch inspection (24.26%) were mislabelled - in most cases the information in the users' manuals was incomplete, in every fourth product questioned for this reason there were no labels placed on the product directly - including warnings. In six cases, no instructions whatsoever were attached.

The irregularities were found in 27 companies, i. e. nearly one in three of those audited. Many of them have removed the irregularities already during the inspection pending. Batches with structural defects were withdrawn from sale.

Consumer, please remember:

• Check the product for proper labelling and warnings.
• Check if the instructions and information necessary for safe use have been included.
• The name and address of the manufacturer should be placed on the product or in the user's manual - then you know who is responsible for the product quality and safety.
• While buying a bike, please choose one that suits your child's age.
• Check for protruding screws, sharp edges that may cause injuries to the child.
• Make sure your bike has a full chainguard.
• Check the saddle for proper mounting and adjustment - make sure that your child will not be able to adjust the saddle by themselves.
• When buying a seat, make sure that it has a sufficient and firm mounting to the bike.
• Also check if the manufacturer has taken care of the safety and stable position of the child in the seat - if the equipment is equipped with e.g. harnesses, foot guards and straps to limit foot movements.
• In case of any doubts, please contact the Trade Inspection Authority.

Consumer support:

Phone: +48 801 440 220 or +48 22 290 89 16 – consumer helpline
E-mail: porady@dlakonsumentow.pl
Consumer ombudsmen – in your town or district
Regional Consumer Centres: 22 299 60 90 – Dlakonsumenta.pl

Additional information for the media:

UOKiK Press Office
Pl. Powstańców Warszawy 1, 00-950 Warszawa, Poland
Phone +48 695 902 088, +48 22 55 60 246
E-mail: biuroprasowe@uokik.gov.pl
Twitter: @UOKiKgovPL