Handgrips on 12 out of 15 exercise bikes tested in Germany were found to contain substances that can cause cancer, a consumer safety group said on November 20. The grips had polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, liable to cause cancer and other health problems when in contact with skin, consumer safety group Stiftung Warentest said in their monthly magazine.
Five of the bikes with dangerously high levels of the substance were given a "faulty" rating by the highly respected independent group, whose reports can make or break a product with German consumers. The other bikes were given "good" or "satisfactory" ratings.