The well-known cargo bike manufacturer Babboe must immediately stop selling its models in its Dutch home market. The reason is serious safety deficiencies, as the local authority for food and consumer product safety (NVWA) explains the ban.
Since the end of last year, there have been increasing reports of several broken frames on cargo bikes – a potentially life-threatening safety risk. Babboe did not investigate the reports of defects as required by law. According to the NVWA, the company neither initiated its own investigations nor informed the responsible authorities. Criminal investigations against those responsible are also being examined.
“The NVWA has instructed Babboe to immediately stop trading in all cargo bikes as they do not comply with the law,” the authority said in a statement on Wednesday. In addition, a recall campaign for several Babboe models was called for. The NVWA advised consumers to stop using the corresponding Babboe cargo bikes.
It is still unclear whether the bicycles sold in Germany will also be recalled or whether sales will also be stopped here. The Dutch authority said it would share its information with other EU regulators in the coming days. They can then decide whether to take similar measures or respond in another way to the serious security deficiencies.
Babboe meanwhile turned to its customers in Germany, regardless of possible decisions by German authorities, and informed them about a sales stop for “all” cargo bikes.
The Dutch company has been active in the cargo bike manufacturing sector for more than 15 years and sells its products worldwide. Babboe is one of the largest manufacturers of cargo bikes in Europe.
Quellen: NVWA (1), NVWA (2), Babboe
