Bike helmets recalled: 140,000 and counting don’t meet safety standards; 14 separate recalls

Since Jan. 1, 2023, more than 140,000 bicycle helmets sold in the United States have been recalled because they didn’t meet federal safety standards. This is scary because we trust a bike helmet to protect us. You may not realize the helmet won’t do its job until it’s too late – after you’ve suffered a head injury. 

So far this year, from Jan. 1 through April 30, six brands of helmets have been recalled. During 2023, there were an additional eight, for a total of 14. During 2023 and 2024, eight were for children or youth. The total, so far, is 143,018 products recalled.

All but one of the helmets were manufactured in China. All but one were modestly priced at $50 or less. The expensive model, manufactured in China and sold through cycling shops, was Giro Merit through Bell Sports. Those sold for $220.

Two of them were sold exclusively on Temu.com. Platforms such as these are under increasing scrutiny because they can sell directly to U.S. consumers and bypass a U.S.-based importer or distributor. In a speech in February, Alexander Hoehn-Saric, chair of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC,) noted that Temu is a “relatively new entrant to the U.S. market” and spent millions on Super Bowl ads this year. “As more platforms enter the market and as more consumers turn to e-commerce, it is critical that online marketplaces act as responsible gatekeepers to protect their users from hazardous products,” Hoehn-Saric said. 

Regardless where they bought their bike helmet, consumers are encouraged to check their families’ helmets to make sure they aren’t any of those recalled. You can go to cpsc.gov/recalls and do a keyword search for “helmet.” You can also look for complaints on the CPSC’s complaint site: SaferProducts.gov

How are bike helmets tested?

1. At least eight helmets of each size for each model available for sale are tested.
2. The helmet must be tested on a “headform” to mimic a rider’s head.
3. The helmet is put on the headform in the position that matches the manufacturer’s specifications.
4. In the hours before testing, the helmets to be tested are exposed to conditions that helmets may be in, both in use and storage: Two helmets at room temperature and humidity; two in cold temperatures of 1 °F to 9 °F for four to 24 hours; two in hot temperatures of 117 °F to 127 °F and two are under water for four to 24 hours, and then tested within two minutes.

2024 helmet recalls

Jan. 4, 2024
Bell Slope adult bicycle helmets recalled by Bell Sports
“The strap anchor can become dislodged from the helmet when sufficient force is applied, and therefore violates the CPSC federal safety regulation for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 11,000 helmets recalled.
• Sold at Target, Fred Meyer, Academy and websites and other stores nationwide from January 2023 through April 2023 for about $30.
• Importer: Bell Sports Inc., Irvine, Cal.
• Manufactured in the United States.

Jan. 11, 2024
Scout Kid’s bike helmets recalled by Retrospec.
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the coverage, positional stability, and labeling requirements of the CPSC federal safety regulation for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 72,000 helmets recalled.
• Sold at T Scheels, Play it Again Sports and independent bicycle stores nationwide and online at Retrospec and Amazon from February 2019 through March 2023 for $18 to $23.
• Importer: Xander Bicycle Corporation, DBA Retrospec, of Perris, Cal.
• Manufactured in China.

Feb. 15, 2024
Bell Soquel youth bicycle helmets recalled by Bell Sports.
“The strap anchor can become dislodged from the helmet when sufficient force is applied, and therefore violates the CPSC federal safety regulation for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 2,425 helmets recalled.
• Sold at Fred Meyer, Walmart and other stores nationwide, and online at Amazon from January 2017 through January 2024 for $25 to $50.
• Importer: Bell Sports Inc, of Irvine, Cal.
• Manufactured in China.

April 18, 2024
Fengwang Sports recalls Gasaciods children’s helmets, sold exclusively on Temu.com
“The helmets do not comply with the positional stability, dynamic strength of retention system, impact attenuation, and certification requirements in violation of the CPSC federal safety regulation for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 18 helmets recalled.
• Sold exclusively online at Temu.com from July 2023 through January 2024 for $23 to $42.
• Importer: Dongguan Feng Wang Sports Goods Co., Ltd. DBA Fengwang Sports of China.
• Manufactured in China.

April 25, 2024
Chau River Sports Outdoors recalls multi-purpose kids’ bike helmets, sold exclusively on Temu.com
“The helmets do not comply with the dynamic strength of retention system, impact attenuation and certification requirements of the CPSC federal safety regulation for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 200 helmets recalled.
• Sold exclusively on Temu.com from June 2023 through January 2024 for $16 to $40.
• Importer: Chau River Sports Outdoors, of China.
• Manufactured in China.

May 9, 2024
Korimefa recalls teen and adult multi-purpose bike helmets , sold exclusively on Amazon.
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability requirements of the CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 60 helmets recalled.
• Sold exclusively on Amazon from April 2022 through November 2022 for about $24.
• Importer: Shanghai Yangxi Dian Zi Shang Wu You Xian Gong Si, DBA Yangxi, of China.
• Manufactured in China.
  

2023 helmet recalls

Feb. 9, 2023
Credhedz Lizard helmets, Crayola Dry Erase helmets and Tony Hawk multi-purpose helmets recalled by Sakar International
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability and retention system requirements of the U.S. CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• About 33,100 recalled.
• Sold at Big Lots, Ollies Bargain Outlet and other stores nationwide and online at Amazon from November 2020 through October 2022 for about $30.
• Manufacturer: Sakar International Inc., of Edison, N.J.
• Manufactured in China.

March 2, 2023
Ouwoer Direct recalls multi-purpose kids bike helmets, sold exclusively on Amazon
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability and impact attenuation requirements of the CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect a child in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 120 helmets recalled.
• Sold online on Amazon from March 2022 through November 2022 for about $30.
• Manufacturer: Huizhou Lanova Outdoor Product Company, of China
• Retailer: Xiamen Ouwoer Trading Co. Ltd., of China
• Manufactured in China.

March 30, 2023
Adult bike helmets recalled by JBM International Electric, sold exclusively on Amazon
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability and labeling and certification requirements of the U.S. CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• About 5,300 helmets recalled.
• Sold online on Amazon from March 2022 through January 2023 for about $24.
• Importer: JBM International Electric Ltd., of Newark, Del.
• Manufactured in China.

April 20, 2023
Lelinta Multi-Purpose Kids Helmets recalled by Lucky Global, sold exclusively on Walmart.com
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability requirements of the CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect a child in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• 30 helmets recalled.
• Sold online at Walmart.com from July 2022 through February 2023 for about $31.
• Importer: Lucky Global Inc., of Boulder, Colo.
• Manufactured in China

March 30, 2023
Adult bike helmets recalled by JBM International Electric, sold exclusively on Amazon
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability and labeling and certification requirements of the U.S. CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• About 5,300 helmets recalled.
• Sold online on Amazon from March 2022 through January 2023 for about $24.
• Importer: JBM International Electric Ltd., of Newark, Del.
• Manufactured in China.

May 18, 2023
Ventura adult bike helmets recalled by Cycle Force
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability requirement of the CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• About 1,750 helmets recalled.
• Sold at Home Depot, JCPenney, Kohls, Play It Again Sports and independent sports and bicycle stores nationwide and online at InGearOutfitters.com, Walmart.com and Amazon from October 2017 through January 2023 for about $40.
• Importer: Messingschlager USA LLC, dba Cycle Force, of Ames, Iowa.
• Manufactured in China.

June 8, 2023
Bell Sports Recalls Giro Merit Helmets Due to Risk of Head Injury
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the U.S. CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• About 15,000 helmets recalled.
• Sold at Epicenter Cycling, Freewheel Bike West Bank, Velotech and other stores nationwide, online at Giro.com, Backcountry.com and other websites from September 2021 through January 2023 for about $220.
• Importer: Bell Sports Inc., of Scotts Valley, Cal.
• Manufactured in China.

June 22, 2023
Hurtle multi-purpose children’s helmets recalled by Sound Around
“The recalled helmets do not comply with the positional stability requirements of the U.S. CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• About 1,800 helmets recalled.
• Sold online through Amazon, Nordstrom, Pyleusa and Ruelala from September 2020 through March 2023 for about $17 and on Pyleusa.com as part of a free product registration promotion for other PyleUSA sport products.
• Importer: Sound Around Inc., of Brooklyn, N.Y.
• Manufactured in China.

Aug. 24, 2023
Kids’ bike helmets recalled by Ecnup, sold exclusively on Amazon
”The recalled helmets do not comply with the coverage, positional stability, and labeling requirements of the CPSC federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The helmets can fail to protect in the event of a crash, posing a risk of head injury.”

• About 215 helmets recalled.
• Sold online exclusively on Amazon from January 2022 through February 2023 for $20 to $30.
• Retailer: ECNUP, of China.
• Manufactured in China.

To check other products:

CPSC.gov/recalls

SaferProducts.gov