December 11, 2025 – A consumer has reported a harrowing incident involving an Aventon Level e-bike, purchased used, which allegedly experienced unintended acceleration, leading to a dangerous situation on a public street. The incident resulted in scrapes and bruises for the rider and highlights a critical safety concern regarding e-bike control systems.
Product Details
Incident Overview
The consumer purchased a used Aventon Level 1 e-bike from Upway. Within days of purchase, the e-bike reportedly began exhibiting an intermittent error where it would briefly accelerate without user input. The bike occasionally displayed “Error 22,” which is typically associated with throttle issues. Initially, the consumer, under Upway’s warranty, had the throttle replaced at a local bike shop, suspecting a sticky or damaged component.
However, the problem persisted intermittently. The situation escalated dramatically on October 16, 2025, when the consumer was riding the e-bike on a public street. From a standstill, the bike suddenly began accelerating uncontrollably and did not stop quickly. The rider quickly dismounted but struggled to maintain control as the bike continued to accelerate, moving in a circle with no one touching the throttle. The consumer was forced to throw the bike to the ground to turn it off, sustaining scrapes and bruises during the struggle. The consumer emphasized the potential for much more severe consequences, including careening into traffic, which could have resulted in serious injury or fatality.
The consumer noted awareness of a recall for a similar issue on Aventon’s Sinch line of bikes around the same manufacturing time, raising concerns that common components might contribute to a more widespread problem.
Safety Concerns
The reported incident with the Aventon Level e-bike highlights severe safety concerns that could lead to critical harm or even death.
- Immediate Dangers:
* Loss of Control and Collisions: Unintended acceleration can cause a rider to lose control, leading to collisions with pedestrians, other vehicles, or stationary objects. This risk is amplified on public streets where traffic and other hazards are present.
* Falls and Ejection: Riders may be thrown from the bike or fall during attempts to regain control or dismount, leading to significant physical injuries.
* Serious Injuries: Potential injuries include broken bones, head trauma (concussions, skull fractures), internal injuries, lacerations, severe abrasions, and spinal injuries. The incident reported scrapes and bruises, but the potential for life-threatening injuries was very high.
* Fatality Risk: In scenarios involving high-speed collisions or impacts with heavy traffic, unintended acceleration could be fatal.
- Long-Term Risks:
* Psychological Trauma: Survivors of such incidents may experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, or fear of riding e-bikes or even regular bicycles.
* Chronic Pain and Disability: Severe injuries can result in long-term pain, mobility issues, or permanent disability.
- Who Might Be Affected:
* Riders: Primarily affected, facing direct risk of injury or death.
* Pedestrians: At risk of being struck by an out-of-control e-bike.
* Other Motorists: Risk of collisions with vehicles on the road.
* Children: Particularly vulnerable if they are riders or in the vicinity of an out-of-control e-bike.
- Property Damage Potential:
* The e-bike itself can be severely damaged when thrown or involved in a collision.
* Damage to other vehicles, public property, or personal belongings can also occur.
What Consumers Should Do
Consumers who own an Aventon Level e-bike, especially those who have experienced similar intermittent acceleration issues or error codes, should take immediate action to ensure their safety and prevent potential harm.
- Immediate Steps to Take: If your Aventon Level e-bike exhibits any signs of unintended acceleration, unusual error codes (like Error 22), or any other erratic behavior, cease using the product immediately. Do not attempt to ride it.
- How to Check if You Own the Affected Product: Confirm you own an “Aventon Level” model e-bike. Be vigilant for any intermittent throttle issues or unexplained acceleration, even if minor.
- Prevention Measures:
* Regularly inspect your e-bike for any loose wiring, damaged throttle components, or unusual wear and tear.
* Pay attention to any error codes displayed on the bike’s console and consult the user manual or manufacturer if they appear.
* If you experience even brief, unintended acceleration, stop riding and investigate the cause.
- Reporting Procedures:
* Report to the Manufacturer: Contact RIDE AVENTON directly to report the issue and inquire about potential solutions or recalls.
* Report to the Retailer: If purchased from a retailer like Upway, inform them of the incident, especially if under warranty.
* Report to the CPSC: File a report with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) at SaferProducts.gov. This helps the CPSC gather data on product hazards and potentially initiate investigations or recalls.
Manufacturer’s Response
Aventon responded to the consumer’s report by offering to replace the bike. However, the consumer stated that this offer came with “an overly onerous and aggressive legal agreement to replace the bike and silence any discussion of this incident, including not allowing warranty or claims on the replacement bike.”
Legal Help Available
If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product or suffered property damage due to a product malfunction, you may be entitled to compensation. The experienced product liability attorneys at Farzan Law understand the complexities of defective product cases and can help you navigate the legal process.
Contact us today for a free consultation: 424-325-3112
Our legal team has successfully represented clients in product liability cases involving defective appliances, automotive defects, medical devices, and consumer products. We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Note: This information is based on incident reports provided by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. If you find information that is incorrect, please contact us immediately so we can correct the post to reflect accurate information.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is not intended to be legal or medical advice. This article is based on publicly available incident reports. The incidents mentioned have not necessarily been independently verified or adjudicated.