Unsafe e-bikes can cause life-changing injuries, warns product safety lawyer following Orbea recall

Owners of Orbea Optima MY 2019 and 2020 models have been urged to stop riding them immediately because a potential frame defect could cause the bike to fail during use.

The government recall notice says Orbea itself has recalled the affected bikes from riders who own or use them.

The regulator said the affected bikes may have an issue with a welded joint in the middle of the frame, which could cause the frame to break unexpectedly if the weld fails.

The OPSS warned, if the frame fails while the e-bike is being ridden, the rider could lose control and potentially sustain injuries in a fall.

Owners are advised to check the stamped code on the frame to identify whether their bike is included in the recall.

Affected consumers should stop riding the bike immediately and take it to their closest Orbea dealer for a replacement frame.

Dealers have been advised to use the KIDE platform to open a claim with Orbea.

Philippa Wheeler, a product safety solicitor at Leigh Day said:

“Structural failures in bicycles and e-bikes are particularly serious because riders can have little or no warning before a component fails. Cyclists rely on the safety of their bike when cycling, and catastrophic failures can cause serious and life-changing injuries. It is vital that anyone who owns an Orbea Optima e-bike checks whether their model is affected and stops riding it immediately if it is included in the recall. This is yet another reminder that consumers should be entitled to safe products from the point of purchase.”