SouthernWorldwide.com – E-bikes sold by major retailers like Amazon, Sears, and Walmart are being recalled due to a significant safety concern: the potential for their lithium-ion batteries to ignite, leading to fires and injuries to riders.
The recall affects approximately 22,000 e-bikes. Consumers are strongly advised to stop using these bicycles immediately until they receive a free replacement battery and battery mount. This advisory comes from a notice issued by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
Ancheer, the China-based company responsible for distributing these e-bikes, has reported receiving six incidents involving fires, explosions, or sparks. Alarmingly, four of these incidents resulted in burn injuries to users.
The specific e-bikes included in this recall are black models identified by the model number AM001907. This model number can be found on the product’s packaging and in its instruction manual, but notably, not directly on the bike itself. A distinctive feature of the recalled e-bikes is a cylindrical battery designed to resemble a water bottle. These bikes also have 26-inch wheels and the “Ancheer” brand name printed on the downtube.
These recalled e-bikes were available for purchase online through various platforms. These include www.aliexpress.com, www.ancheer.shop, www.amazon.com, www.ebaby.com, www.newegg.com, www.overstock.com, www.rakuten.com, www.sears.com, www.walmart.com, and www.wish.com. The sales period for these affected models spanned from January 2016 through June 2022, with prices ranging from $280 to $930.
Consumers who own one of the recalled Ancheer e-bikes can contact the company for assistance. Ancheer can be reached toll-free at (888) 661-1330, operating from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time, Monday through Friday. Alternatively, consumers can send an email to [email protected] or visit the dedicated recall page on their website at www.ancheer.shop/pages/recalls.
This recall follows closely on the heels of a concerning report released by the CPSC just two days prior. This report highlighted a significant increase in emergency room visits and fatalities associated with e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards.
According to the CPSC’s findings, U.S. emergency departments treated over 77,000 injuries related to these three popular micromobility products in 2021. This represents a substantial rise of 127% compared to the 34,000 injuries recorded in 2017.
The agency has also documented a disturbing trend in fatalities. From 2017 through 2021, a total of 129 deaths were linked to these products. The number of fatalities has seen a sharp increase, rising from just five in 2017 to 48 in the most recent year reported.
The CPSC has explicitly noted the growing concern surrounding fires originating from the lithium-ion batteries that power e-scooters, e-bikes, and hoverboards. These incidents have captured the attention of fire departments across the nation, underscoring the urgent need for increased safety awareness and product recalls.
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The agency emphasized this issue in a recent news release, urging consumers to be aware of the risks associated with these increasingly popular personal transportation devices.
