NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs

Washington, DC 20207

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Runt Hotline: (866) 868-7868
October 10, 2001	CPSC CONTACT: Mark Ross
Release # 02-012	(301) 504-0580 Ext. 1188
	Wysco Contact: Kathy at (866) 868-7868 Kathy@wysco.com

CPSC, Wysco Inc. Announce Recall of "Runt"[tm] Mini-Bicycles

WASHINGTON, D.C. - In cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), Wysco Inc., of Baldwin Park, Calif., is voluntarily recalling about 95,000 "Runt"[tm] brand mini-bicycles. These bicycles do not have any brakes, which are required by the CPSC standard for bicycles of this type. The CPSC standard also requires these bicycles have chain guards to prevent riders from getting fingers, toes and clothing caught in the gears.

Wysco has not received any reports of incidents or injuries involving these mini-bicycles. This recall is being conducted to prevent the possibility of injuries.

The "Runt"[tm] mini-bicycles are about 24-inches long and 26-inches high with 6-inch wheels. They have adjustable seat and handlebars with quick release levers. The bicycles are red, blue, black or chrome in color with black seats and handle grips. The word "RUNT" and the Runt logo of a dog's face are on the front of the steering column.

Bicycle, toy, discount department, convenience, and specialty stores nationwide, and mail order catalogs and web sites sold these mini-bicycles from January 2001 through July 2001 for about $100.

Consumers should stop using these Runt bicycles immediately and get a free repair kit. To order a free repair kit and for more information, call Wysco toll-free at (866) 868-7868 between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. PT Monday through Friday, or visit their web site at www.JustGoScooters.com.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission protects the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death from 15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/talk.html. For information on CPSC's fax-on-demand service, call the above numbers or visit the web site at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/103.html. To order a press release through fax-on-demand, call (301) 504-0051 from the handset of your fax machine and enter the release number. Consumers can obtain this release and recall information at CPSC's web site at http://www.cpsc.gov.