Child Safety Assessments on Kid's Bike Seats Reveal Two Failed Models
Child bike seats from 16 different brands were evaluated by ADAC in tests for both rack and seat post mounting, focusing on their safety during front and side impacts. 9 seats earned a "good" grade, 5 were rated as "satisfactory", and a disappointed 2 failed.
Testers scrutinized one seat for seat post mounting and one for rack mounting from each brand, concluding that most seats for rack mounting were found to be more stable and comfortable for kids.
However, an exception was OKBaby's models, which displayed impressive safety features and comfort in both mounting variations. The top-rated seat boasted impressive safety features in the head area, a reclining function, a lock, and had a wallet-friendly price tag of 70 Euro. The runner-ups from Bellelli were priced at 45 Euro and 50 Euro respectively.
Negative Attributes: Toxic Chemicals and a Damaged Footrest
Sadly, the child seats from Quibbel fell short due to traces of toxic chemicals on the harnesses and a broken footrest under the standard weight of 22 kilograms, earning them a "poor" rating in the individual evaluation and impacting the overall score.
The seats withstood the crash tests featuring child dummies, but varying results were seen - some mounts or plastic seat-shells broke, increasing the potential for injury if the seat detaches from the bike.
Warning on "Child Seat in Front of the Driver"
The crash experts voiced concerns regarding the "Child Seat in Front of the Driver" system, finding it only conditionally suitable. The concern stems from the difficulty of mounting due to unsuitable fork clamps, and the risk of the driver inadvertently hitting the child during an impact.
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Despite ADAC's rigorous testing of various children's automobile seats, the models from the brand 'Quibbel' unfortunately performed poorly. They contained traces of toxic chemicals on the harnesses and suffered a damaged footrest under the standard weight, resulting in a "poor" rating.
Regardless, it's worth noting that ADAC's tests revealed that automobiles equipped with 'ADAC' labeled 'Child Seat in Front of the Driver' systems were only conditionally suitable due to challenging mounting issues and the risk of unintentional driver impact during crashes.
