Thousands of knock-off bicycle parts sold online

The problem of counterfeit bicycle parts was highlighted following an accident involving a cyclist after the carbon fibre handlebars he had purchased online snapped while he was biking. Consumers in Harlow may be tempted to purchase bargain priced goods on Internet sites such as eBay. However, they should be aware that not all of the goods sold there are legitimate branded products. eBay has said that counterfeit sellers are not welcome on its site and that it has implemented controls to help sellers of genuine parts.

The handlebars the man had purchased for his bicycle on eBay appeared to be a genuine FSA item. It was only after he suffered his accident that he was made aware of the fact that it was a fake. He sent the faulty item to the manufacturer in Milan only to be told that it was a substandard copy made outside of the EU. FSA reported that it stamps all of its genuine products with a mark that is visible under an ultraviolet light.

The company said that it had identified thousands of imitation parts being sold online under the pretext of being genuine FSA items. The fake handlebars that the cyclist had bought were so poorly made that they snapped in two places while he was cycling. He broke his wrist in two places in the accident and even after several months of therapy has still not regained full use of his arm.

The primary responsibility for ensuring that a product is safe for the consumer lies with the manufacturer, but the retailer also has a duty of care regarding the goods it sells. A solicitor knowledgeable in cases that involve dangerous or defective products may be able to offer legal advice to a person who has been injured while using the product in the way it was intended to be used.