Defective Cycle

Accidents caused by a faulty piece of equipment

This is known as `product liability' and can be quite a complicated area of law. There are three areas which are likely to overlap:

• A claim under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 (for which the time limit to claim is only 2 years in most cases, shorter than the normal time limits for personal injury)
• A claim for breach of contract
• A claim against the manufacturer for negligence in manufacture

This can include snapping forks, stems, cranks and collapsing wheels.

The consumer legislation is very strict on the manufacturer or supplier if injury is caused.

It is a good idea to keep a file on each cycle, recording, from acquisition, any parts which are replaced, adjustments which are carried out, servicing and of course keep receipts (photocopy them too as often they fade in time leaving a blank piece of paper).

It is also prudent to keep a race diary if you are a competitor.

Keep the damaged parts until legal advice is received.