Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes with Chain Guards Recalled Over Injury Hazard

Product Recalls - April 6, 2025

Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes with Chain Guards Recalled Because Drivers May Inadvertently Fall During Use

Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes with Chain Guards Recalled Over Injury Hazard

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS (April 6, 2025) – Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes with Chain Guards have been recalled because they can pose a risk of serious injury to riders.

The recall was issued on March 27, 2025. Roughly 32,400 units were sold, including 3,200 sold in Canada.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the bike’s protective chain/belt guard does not adequately protect against loose clothing.

Clothing can become entrapped in the gears and cause riders to fall. No injuries have been reported at this time.

The Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes with Chain Guards were initially manufactured in Vietnam and Taiwan.

Liability for Injuries Caused by Bicycles

Bicycle accidents remain one of the leading causes of preventable injury and death for children. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, “About 300 children are killed and more than 400,000 children go to hospital emergency rooms each year due to bicycle injuries. Children between five and 14 have the highest injury rate of all bicycle riders, and bicycle accidents are one of the leading causes of accidental deaths in this age group.” There are also a number of potential defects with a bicycle that could easily contribute to an accident.

  • Brake Defects: Bicycle riders could experience a sudden loss of brakes if the brake cable on the bicycle suddenly fails.
  • Frame Defects: The frame of a bicycle may collapse mid-use if key sections have faulty welds.
  • Wheel Problems: The tires on a bicycle can become unstable if there are any loose or broken spokes.
  • Chain Guards: A person’s clothing can become trapped in the chain guard of a bicycle if it is not adequately protected.

Companies that create bicycles or bicycle parts have a legal obligation to ensure that they are reasonably safe. To that end, they must routinely test their products in all of the ways that they are likely to be used and even misused. If a bicycle component has a designed defect that contributes to an accident, this could form the basis of a strict product liability claim. There are a number of federal regulations with respect to the safe construction of bicycles, including requirements for protective guards.

Consider, for example, § 1512.9 Requirements for protective guards. According to the regulation, “The chain guard shall extend rearward to a point at least 8 cm (3.2 in.) forward of the centerline of the rear axle. The minimum width of the top area of the chain guard shall be twice the width of the chain in that portion forward of the rear wheel rim.” It is important that certain steps are taken after any bicycle accident.

  • Medical records related to any injuries should be collected.
  • Surveillance footage that may have captured the accident should be sought.
  • It should be determined if the bicycle or bicycle parts that contributed to the accident were on any recall list.
  • An experienced product liability attorney should be contacted.

Many of the injuries associated with bicycle accidents may not be immediately obvious. This is particularly true if a person sustains a head injury or any type of damage to their spine. Even a mild traumatic brain injury can contribute to neurodegenerative illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. Any person that is injured by a defective bicycle or bicycle part may be able to seek some measure of accountability through a bodily injury claim.

Getting Legal Help After a Bicycle Accident

We at Horwitz Horwitz & Associates were deeply concerned to hear about the safety issues with the Specialized Vado and Como IGH E-Bikes with Chain Guards. It is our sincere hope that the affected products will be successfully recalled. Consumers shouldn’t have to worry that the products they buy may have serious defects that result in them being injured.

Have you or someone that you care about been injured by a bicycle with a defective chain guard? Our team of product liability attorneys is here for you. We care deeply that accident victims get the medical and financial support that they need in order to recover. There’s no case too small or too complex for us to handle. Whether you just have legal questions or need a free independent investigation into any incident. We are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at (312) 564-4256.