As a customer who gets a “dividend” each year from REI, sports injury lawyer Doug Landau was impressed the the Recreational Equipment company’s voluntary recall of its Novara Fusion Bicycles. In an age when many recreational product makers and sports product suppliers deny, obfuscate and/or pass the buck, REI’s act is commendable. Landau, of the Herndon law firm ABRAMS LANDAU, Ltd. hopes that by posting notice of this recall,injuries to his fellow cyclists will be prevented.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with REI, announced a voluntary recall of the bicycles. REI recalled the bicycles due to a fall hazard. The alloy steerer tube could separate from the fork causing the rider to lose control, posing a fall hazard to consumers. REI received one report of a steerer tube detaching. No injuries have been reported. This defective sports product was sold exclusively at REI stores nationwide and at REI.com from November 2009 to November 2010 for between $600 and $900.

Purchasers should immediately stop riding the bicycles and contact their local REI store or the REI customer service center to arrange for a replacement fork to be installed free of charge. Remember, it is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product. For more information, contact REI at (800) 426-4840 anytime or go to REI’s website.