Parents Say Wal-Mart Sold Faulty Bikes

Nine Families Join Lawsuit Against Wal-Mart, Dynacraft, Claiming They Knew Bikes Were Defective

(CBS)  The Belyeus and the other families in the lawsuit claim the quick-release levers were defective, causing the front wheels to come off without warning.

"All of these incidents are so similar, the way these wheels pop off," said Cathy Belyeu. "I mean, this is a child's bike, it's bought in a toy store area of the store."

In deposition testimony, a former Wal-Mart claims adjuster says she saw a pattern of these accidents. She blamed them on improper use and maintenance of the quick-release levers by the kids and their families. She reported this pattern to her superiors and to Dynacraft.

Both Wal-Mart and Dynacraft deny that the bikes are defective and blame the accidents on parents and kids tampering with the quick-release levers.

But Mark Webb, an attorney for the families, says this is a conspiracy of silence.

"They had a duty to let people know that there is a danger out there and that children could get very badly hurt, and instead of doing that, they did nothing," he said.

Wal-Mart stopped selling these bikes in 2001, but parents of injured children want to warn others who may still have them in their garages.

These are the models involved in the suit:

NEXT Shock Zone, Model #8536-33WAL
NEXT Shock Zone, Model #8536-33
NEXT Ultra Shock, Model #8524-14WAL
NEXT Ultra Shock, Model #8524-14
Mongoose XR 100

For more information, visit the Web site of a group called Stop Hurting Our Kids.

Editor's note: On February 9, a jury found Wal-mart not guilty of selling defective bicycles. In a statement to The Early Show, Wal-mart said, "We are pleased that this jury overwhelmingly agreed that every allegation in this case was unsubstantiated and reinforced that these bikes were safe and not defective. It is unfortunate when anyone is hurt in a bike accident, but these allegations simply had no merit."