Illegal monkey bikes to be destroyed in Vic
A Victorian business has been ordered to destroy over 200 non-compliant monkey bikes it sold in 2013-14A Victorian e-retailer has been ordered to locate and destroy around 220 illegal monkey bikes it sold from May 2013 to May 2014.
Consumer Affairs Victoria recently took action against Brunswick-based firm Big Aussie Deals for selling the monkey bikes, which were found to have inadequate brake systems.
The company was fined $10,000 over the offence.
Following the Melbourne Magistrate Court's ruling, the company must now send a product recall notice to any owners who have not yet returned their bike and offer them a full refund, while the bikes in question will be destroyed at the company's expense.
The firm must also now adhere to a product safety compliance program for three years.
The ruling follows on from a crackdown on illegal monkey bikes in the southern state, after a number of deaths relating to their use. In one incident, a 34-year-old mother of two died after being struck by one in a Melbourne shopping centre car park.
Named after the appearance of their riders in relation to the compact size of the cut-down machines, monkey bikes first appeared in the 1960s with the arrival of Honda's Z100. A variety of other models followed, with the first road-registrable model – the Z50A (pictured) – hitting the streets in 1967.
While Honda recently announced it would discontinue production of its monkey bikes this month (August 2017), production of bikes bearing the same miniature format is widespread, especially in China.
Victoria's Minister for Consumer Affairs, Ms Marlene Kairouz, said the court's ruling serves as a solemn warning to those who sell illegal monkey bikes.
"Banned monkey bikes are dangerous and put lives at risk," she said.
"Anyone caught selling them will be punished.
"The prosecution sends a clear message to anyone trying to peddle illegal monkey bikes.
"Consumer Affairs Victoria will continue monitoring traders to ensure any miniature motorbikes on the market are safe."
After being contacted by Bikesales, Big Deals Australia is yet to comment on the matter.
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