Peloton is fighting a federal safety recall of its treadmill that was tied to a child's death recently, saying in a statement that owners should always follow the safety instructions.
Peloton Is Pushing Back
After a child died last month following an accident involving a Tread+ treadmill, Peloton has decided to fight a subsequent request from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to recall the problematic fitness accessory. The device went on sale earlier this year, priced at $4,295, to complement the company's popular stationary bike.
The US government agency also issued an urgent warning on the CPSC website cautioning Tread+ owners to stop using the machine following 39 reports of injuries involving people becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled underneath the fitness accessory. Peloton has pushed back against the warning, calling it "inaccurate and misleading."
Incidents Involving Peloton’s Treadmills
Moreover, the company's leadership has said the following in a press release to investors and analysts on the Peloton website.
The company is troubled by the CPSC's unilateral press release about the Peloton Tread+ because it is inaccurate and misleading. There is no reason to stop using the Tread+, as long as all warnings and safety instructions are followed. Children under 16 should never use the Tread+, and Members should keep children, pets, and objects away from the Tread+ at all times.
This comes after CSPS warned that "children may be seriously injured while the Tread+ is being used by an adult, not just when a child has unsupervised access to the machine."
Accidents Involving Peloton Tread+
The Washington Post reported that some of the reported incidents involving Peloton’s equipment have resulted in broken bones and head traumas. Reacting to a child's death last month, the CPSC has issued an administrative subpoena to force Peloton to report its own findings concerning the tragic accident.
On Sunday, the agency doubled-down by urging Tread+ owners to stop using the fitness equipment immediately, especially people with small children and pets. According to the CPSC's statement on the matter, the government agency believes the Tread+ poses serious risks to children "for abrasions, fractures, and death."
In light of multiple reports of children becoming entrapped, pinned, and pulled under the rear roller of the product, CPSC urges consumers with children at home to stop using the product immediately.
If you must continue to use the treadmill, the CPSC advised using it only in a locked room, to prevent access to children and pets while the treadmill is in use. "Keep all objects, including exercise balls and other equipment, away from the treadmill," the agency advises.
When not in use, unplug the Tread+ and store the safety key away from the device and out of reach of children. Report any Peloton Tread+ incidents to CPSC at www.SaferProducts.gov or to CPSC's Hotline at 800-638-2772.
To drive home the warning, the agency also posted a disturbing video on YouTube showing a kid getting dragged underneath the moving treadmill for more than 30 seconds before eventually freeing themselves.
Peloton CEO and co-founder John Foley called a child's death last month a "tragic accident" in an email to customers. He went on to say that his company is aware of what he called "a small handful of incidents" involving the Tread+ where children have been hurt.