Cargo bike manufacturer Carqon is recalling several models due to a possible safety issue with the steering mechanism. Intensive use has shown that the handlebars of cargo bikes can come loose or even break in certain situations.
This could potentially lead to serious accidents. On the Carqon website, customers are urgently urged to immediately stop using the cargo bikes in question until an inspection has taken place. The recall concerns the Classic, Cruise and Flatbed models. Carqon, which is owned by the Accell Group, is taking a major step in ensuring the safety of its customers. According to the company, the quality requirements for these cargo bikes are very high, and the decision to carry out a recall was made to ensure that customers do not run any risks. The Carqon spokesperson emphasizes: “Safety is our top priority, and we do not want to put any customer at risk due to a possible defect.”
Users of the Carqon Classic, Carqon Cruise and Carqon Flatbed models have been informed that they must return their cargo bike for a technical inspection. The manufacturer explains that both the steering pulley and the mounting bolts of the handlebars are checked. If damage or wear is found, these parts will be replaced free of charge. Carqon has a special website, www.checkyourcarqon.com, where customers can check whether their model is subject to the recall. In this way, the company wants to make the recall clear and accessible to all owners.
steering mechanism
This is not the first time that parent company Accell has had to deal with a recall of cargo bikes. Earlier this year, the Babboe brand, also owned by Accell, came under fire after reports of a structural problem with the frame. When used intensively, the frame of the Babboe cargo bikes appeared to break in half in certain cases, leading to serious risks for users. After intervention by the Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA), a trade ban was imposed and Babboe had to recall tens of thousands of cargo bikes for repair.
In the case of Carqon, the problem specifically concerns the steering mechanism. With intensive use, it has been discovered that the mounting bolts of the steering pulley can come loose, which can lead to unstable or unsafe steering attachment. In addition, Carqon has found that the steering tube can show cracks in exceptional cases, which could eventually lead to a complete break. This significantly increases the risk of accidents, especially during sudden manoeuvres. “We are not taking any risks,” emphasises the spokesperson for Carqon. The company wants to reassure customers with the recall by indicating that the inspection is completely free and is carried out at the dealer where the bicycle was purchased.
Carqon has determined that in a number of cases the cargo bikes do not meet the high quality and safety requirements that Carqon sets for its cargo bikes. Carqon takes the safety of its customers very seriously and does not want them to run any risks.
De recall from Carqon seems to be a necessary step in a broader discussion about the safety of electric cargo bikes. With the growing popularity of cargo bikes for city transport and transporting children, the pressure on manufacturers to deliver safe and reliable models is also increasing. The cargo bike is increasingly used for daily trips with children or heavy groceries, which means that the demands on stability and steering mechanism are even higher. The sector itself is now faced with the challenge of finding a balance between offering convenient transport options and meeting strict safety requirements.
NVWA
The recall of Carqon, Vogue and Babboe underlines the need for strict controls and constant quality control. The NVWA plays an important role in this, as the recent example with Babboe has shown. The authority monitors the safety and quality of products on the Dutch market and has already shown that it does not hesitate to intervene in the event of defects that could endanger public health. The actions of the NVWA earlier this year led to Accell being forced to make major adjustments to their products via Babboe. These strict controls from the authority seem to force manufacturers to adopt a more careful production process.
For Carqon users, there is now clarity: as long as the inspection and any repairs have not been carried out, the use of the cargo bike is not recommended. The company hopes that the recall will be quick and efficient, so that customers can safely get back on the road with their cargo bike as soon as possible. With this action, Accell and Carqon underline their responsibility towards their customers and emphasize that they will always take the safety of their products seriously.
