By Will Burgess
Bethesda, MD β Elon Musk’s battle for Twitter may be over, but the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) is weighing in on the new Tesla and Radio Flyer collaboration: The Cyberquad.
Billed as a standalone version of the Cyberquad ATV unveiled during the debut of the prototype Tesla Cybertruck (pictured in cover), the Cyberquad that is actually drawing attention from the CPSC is the replica youth model.
The CPSC states Radio Flyer failed to produce and approved ATV Action Plan, which is something all offroad vehicle manufacturers must furnish if they plan to sell or distribute any manner of offroad vehicle. Initially the Cyberquad was regarded as a toy, similar to other electric, replica vehicles sold in big box and toy stores, however the CPSC has ultimately categorized it an ATV.
“The Cyberquad fails to comply with the federal mandatory safety standard requirements for youth ATVs, including mechanical suspension and maximum tire pressure,” writes the CPSC in their recall bulletin.
Pictured: The Tesla Cyberquad youth model (model #914) produced by Radio Flyer | Source: CPSC.gov
Although the Cyberquad is a product of electric car company, Tesla, and sold exclusively through the company’s retail website, the youth ATV is licensed and produced by Radio Flyer, the toy production company.
As indicated in a report by the CPSC, this investigation was spurred by an injury: “Radio Flyer has received one report of an incident where the single-rider Cyberquad tipped over when driven by an eight-year-old child and a 36-year-old adult female, resulting in a bruised left shoulder to the adult female.”
Customers are urged to request a refund from Radio Flyer for the full retail price of USD$1,900, by dismantling and returning to the motor controller to the company, and that Radio Flyer will be in contact with customers to provide instructions for the returns process.
The CPSC provides the above diagram to determine the model code information imprinted on all youth Cyberquad vehicles. | CPSC.gov
Further, CPSC states, “Removing the motor controller will permanently disable the Cyberquad… Consumers who return the motor controller and incur costs disposing of the remainder of the Cyberquad will receive up to $50 to cover costs associated with disposal.”
While it appears the Cyberquad at the center of this investigation was driven in a manner inconsistent with the intention of the vehicle as a toy for children, even in certain promotional materials, Tesla employee Franz von Holzhausen, who serves as Chief Designer of automobiles, can be seen riding both a full-size Cyberquad, as well as the youth model (and without a helmet, mind you!).
The CPSC takes youth ATV safety seriously. In the late eighties many of the major offroad equipment manufacturers signed on to an agreement pushing for clear and concise guidelines for what constitutes a “youth ATV” and held their retailing dealerships accountable from selling ATVs to consumers who intended to violate these standards.
Consumers can still purchase kid-size versions of the company’s popular Model S and Model Y from Radio Flyer in time for the holidays, starting at the much less eye-watering price of $99.99.
A link to the full CPSC recall notice, can be found here: www.cpsc.gov/Recalls/2023/Radio-Flyer-Recalls-Cyberquad…
Cover: The Tesla Cybertruck and full-size Cyberquad were revealed to the public in November 2019. Tesla intends to begin production of these vehicles in 2023. Now the only way to own a Cyberquad (youth or otherwise) is to purchase the Cybertruck.
Will Burgess is a journalist with Adrenaline Powersports Mag
Adrenaline Powersports Magazine 