Today, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and Peloton announced a recall of the company’s Tread+ treadmills. The announcement comes after reports of injuries and at least one death, and a warning from the CPSC last month to avoid using the product. The Peloton Tread+ poses serious risks to children for abrasions, fractures, and death. There have been over 70 incidents including one death as a result of children, pets or objects being pulled under the product.
While Peloton initially refused to recall the Tread+ despite calls for a recall from the CPSC, members of Congress, and consumer groups including KID; we applaud them for doing the right thing now by taking responsibility and recalling this product. Considering the demographics of Peloton users, it was clear that children would be around the product and the danger might not be clear to their parents. Designing safety into a product is always more effective than warnings.
Earlier this year, KID reached out to Peloton to remove a commercial which included images of an unsafe infant sleep environment. Peloton responded swiftly to our concerns and we believe today’s action shows that they are committed to child safety in the future.
KID thanks Peloton for working with the CPSC to recall the Tread+ today and calls on the company to take all steps possible to ensure that customers are notified of the recall and that all recalled treadmills are removed from homes.
In addition, the newer Peloton Tread treadmill was also recalled today due to the touchscreen detaching and falling from the product and posing a risk of injury. No injuries have yet been reported in the U.S.
Consumers should stop using the Peloton Tread and Tread+ treadmills immediately, move them to a place inaccessible to children, and contact the company for a refund. KID looks forward to working with Peloton to keep children safe. We would urge them to consider the ways marketing, instructions and warnings can all lead to safer use of their products.
Below is Peloton CEO John Foley’s statement:
“The decision to recall both products was the right thing to do for Peloton’s Members and their families. I want to be clear, Peloton made a mistake in our initial response to the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s request that we recall the Tread+. We should have engaged more productively with them from the outset. For that, I apologize. Today’s announcement reflects our recognition that, by working closely with the CPSC, we can increase safety awareness for our Members. We believe strongly in the future of at-home connected fitness and are committed to work with the CPSC to set new industry safety standards for treadmills. We have a desire and a responsibility to be an industry leader in product safety.”
