CARU Refers Advertising for Dynacraft Cyco Cycle to FTC, CPSC After Advertiser Fails to Respond to CARU Inquiry

New York – July 25, 2011 – The Children’s Advertising Review Unit of the Council of Better Business Bureaus referred advertising for Dynacraft’s Cyco Cycle to the Federal Trade Commission and Consumer Product Safety Commission after the advertiser failed to respond a CARU inquiry.

 Broadcast advertising for the Cyco Cycle came to the attention of CARU, the children’s advertising industry’s self-regulatory forum, through CARU’s routine monitoring practices. The advertising at issue aired during children’s programming.

 The advertising featured six adolescents performing stunts on Cyco Cycles – one-wheescents on Cyco Cycles –children’me to the attention of CARU, the children’ following the advertisled vehicles that do not have brakes or handlebars. The young people are depicted riding the cycles on a wet, slippery floor, doing stunts on stairways and with two riders on a single cycle.

 The front page of the Owner’s Manual explicitly states,  “FOR AGES THIRTEEN AND UP.”

  The manual goes on to state, “A SPECIAL NOTE FOR PARENTS This product is easy to tip over and should not be used by minors that are under the recommended size and no one twelve or under.  Uses such as aggressive riding, downhill riding, jumping, tricks, stunting and other extreme uses are not recommended and if you allow minor to do such things with this CYCO CYCLE  you must assume sold responsibility for any harm that may result.”

  Following its initial review, CARU questioned whether it was appropriate to advertise the product to children aged 12 and under.

 Because the advertiser elected not to participate in the CARU process, CARU has referred the matter to the FTC and CPSC for further review.