Ridstar E-Bike Lawsuit Filed Against Walmart Over Front Wheel Detachment

Federal officials warned consumers earlier this year to stop using certain Ridstar e-bikes after receiving dozens of reports of concussions, broken bones, cuts and other injuries due to front wheels detaching from the frame.

A Florida woman has filed a lawsuit on behalf of her child, alleging the minor suffered severe injuries when a wheel detached from a Ridstar electric bicycle purchased from Walmart.

The complaint (PDF) was brought by Therese Evans, on behalf of her minor child, L.E., in the Circuit Court of Palm Beach County Florida on July 30, naming Walmart Inc. as the sole defendant. The case was removed to the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida on August 24, 2026.

Evans claims Walmart sold and profited from the allegedly defective e-bike despite having access to customer complaints, warranty claims and other safety information describing the wheel detachment issues.

E-Bike Safety Concerns

Electric bikes, or e-bikes, are similar to traditional pedal-powered bicycles but include a battery and electric motor that provide additional power while riding. Depending on the model, e-bikes can reach speeds of 20 to 28 mph, compared with about 10 to 12 mph for conventional bicycles.

In June 2026, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a safety warning for Ridstar Q20 and Q20 Lite e-bikes indicating the front wheel may detach from the frame without warning, posing a crash risk for riders. According to federal regulators, the Chinese manufacturer of Ridstar products was unresponsive to the agency’s request for a recall.

The CPSC cited 32 reports of Ridstar front wheels detaching from the bikes’ frames, including 31 reports of injuries such as concussions, broken bones, cuts, scrapes and bruises.

Earlier this year, a Ridstar e-bike lawsuit was filed against Amazon, after the front wheel of an Oregon man’s Ridstar Q20 electric bicycle fell off, throwing him violently to the ground.

Ridstar Injury Allegations

In the lawsuit, Evans indicates the Ridstar e-bike was purchased through Walmart.com on August 29, 2025. About two months later, on November 1, L.E. was riding the bicycle when the front wheel allegedly detached during normal operation, violently throwing the child onto the pavement and causing severe and permanent injuries.

The lawsuit alleges the bicycle’s wheel retention system was defectively designed, permitting the front wheel to unexpectedly detach during ordinary use. Evans also claims the bicycle was defectively manufactured because the retention mechanism did not conform to its intended design specifications. She maintains a safer alternative design was economically and technologically feasible.

Evans argues Walmart knew or should have known about safety problems through customer complaints, warranty claims, product failures, return data and incident reports available through its marketplace. Despite having the ability to investigate safety concerns or remove products and sellers from Walmart.com, the lawsuit states the retailer continued to market, facilitate and profit from sales of the Ridstar e-bike.

The complaint also alleges Walmart exercised substantial control over its online marketplace, including approving third-party sellers, regulating product listings, processing payments and monitoring customer complaints and reviews. Evans claims Walmart failed to adequately investigate and vet Ridstar before allowing the company to sell electric bicycles through Walmart.com.

“Specifically, the bicycle’s wheel retention system was designed in a manner that permitted the front wheel to unexpectedly detach during ordinary operation, causing a sudden and catastrophic loss of control.”

— Therese Evans v. Walmart Inc.

In its August 24 notice removing the lawsuit to federal court, Walmart indicates Evans has produced medical bills exceeding $120,000 for treatment attributed to the accident. The company cited those expenses in arguing that the amount in controversy exceeds the $75,000 threshold required for federal diversity jurisdiction.

The lawsuit raises allegations of design defect, manufacturing defect, failure to warn, negligent distribution/facilitation of sale and negligent selection, vetting and retention of marketplace seller.

Evans, on behalf of L.E., is seeking compensation for bodily injuries, pain and suffering, disability, disfigurement, mental anguish, loss of the capacity for the enjoyment of life, expenses of hospitalization, medical and nursing care and treatment, loss of earnings, loss of the ability to earn money and aggravation of previously existing conditions.

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