Dutch authorities have ordered a leading European cargo bike maker to suspend sales and recall thousands of products over safety concerns over broken frames.
The Dutch food and consumer product safety regulator (NVWA) called for a temporary halt to trading in Babboe, whose family cargo bikes are seen on school tracks from Berlin to Bristol every day, “because its safety cannot be adequately guaranteed”.
The NVWA asked the Dutch company, which describes its product as “the world’s number one cargo bike,” to recall two models and issue public safety warnings for several others. It is understood that the large-scale recall in the Netherlands affects about 10,000 cargo bikes.
“When the safety of a cargo bike has been fully demonstrated through complete technical documentation, the cargo bike can be sold again,” the NVWA said on its website.
Industry insiders say large-scale recalls across Europe are likely to follow. Babboe is sold in about 30 countries around the world, including France, Germany and the United Kingdom.
In a press release, the NVWA accused Babboe of failing to properly investigate numerous complaints. The company said it had been inspecting the Dutch manufacturer’s bikes since late 2023 due to evidence of frame fractures.
The NVWA says the manufacturer has “received numerous reports of frame damage,” but appears to have not followed up on those reports. The Dutch prosecutor’s office is determining whether there are grounds for a criminal investigation, it added.
Repeated calls and emails requesting comment from the company on Tuesday went unanswered.
The German Cycling Association has warned its members not to use the bikes, saying they pose a “life-threatening risk”, especially when used in road traffic.
The news came as a shock to many Babboe owners, who said it would be difficult to find a replacement soon.
“I leave the house at 7 a.m. every weekday, take one child to daycare, another to school, and then take my dog to work,” said Sandra, a 39-year-old lawyer in Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg district. (Sandra) said she declined to disclose the specifics to her. surname.
“I rely entirely on Babboe, it’s a better option than public transport or a car – convenient, cheap and helps keep me healthy. When I heard the news, I was inclined to keep using the bike, but if anything happened, I will never forgive myself.”
She said she had contacted the store where she purchased the bike, who advised her not to use it until further notice. In the meantime, she uses taxis for her transportation needs. “But it’s 40-50 euros a day, so it’s not very satisfying,” Sandra said.
Law firm Birkway, which has set up a website to enable Babboe owners to register as potential claimants in any eventual legal proceedings, said: “The Babboe cargo bike is an important means of transport for many families. Children ride them to school and sports clubs every day. The uncertainty about bike safety now hangs over these families’ heads like the sword of Damocles.”
A statement on Babboe’s website said the NVWA notified the company on February 14 that it “did not provide sufficient information to demonstrate that certain models did not present a safety risk.”
It added: “Sales of these models must therefore be suspended. As a precautionary measure, Babboe has decided to temporarily cease sales of all Babboe cargo bikes.”
The company said it apologizes for the inconvenience and is working closely with the NVWA “to ensure the required information is provided as quickly as possible so sales can resume.” Until then, it urges customers to “follow the NVWA’s advice and not use Babboe cargo bikes”.
The NVWA said other Babboe bikes will not be subject to recalls or safety warnings because “there have been no reports of frame defects in other types of bikes.”
Owners will receive replacements and “compensation for the inconvenience,” company director Gerard Feenema said in a video message.
In 2022, in Germany alone, 210,000 units (i.e. every 20 bikes sold) will be a cargo bike. In recent years, sales across Europe have grown by 40-60% annually, especially for electric cargo bikes, despite their high price tag of 3,000-10,000 euros. The bikes are heavily subsidized by several European governments, including Germany.
According to the NVWA website, the Babboe models facing the recall are the Babboe Mini and Babboe City, which are available in manual and electric versions. Details of models subject to public safety warnings are on its website.
