Peloton Dukes It Out Over Dangers of Tread+

Over the weekend, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a stern warning against the use of Peloton’s treadmills in households with small children or pets, citing a “serious” risk of injury.

Peloton immediately shot back, claiming the report was “inaccurate and misleading,” setting up what will likely be a public and contentious battle.

Rare Tragedy Triggers Wider Probe

In March, Peloton CEO John Foley published a note on the company’s website stating that a child had died after an accident with the machine. Within a day of learning about the tragedy, Peloton reported it to the CPSC, whose mandate is to protect consumers from dangerous products.

The agency commenced an investigation, which so far has turned up 38 separate incidents.

Among many others, the CPSC said its investigation found one case where a child became entrapped by the Tread+ while a parent was using it. That led the agency to conclude that simply locking the device away while not in use is insufficient.

“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,” the commission said in its warning.

For Background: Treadmill accidents are frequent, but deaths are incredibly rare:

• In 2019, 22,500 emergency-room visits in the U.S. came after treadmill mishaps, according to the CPSC.
• Between 2018 and 2019, 17 deaths related to treadmills were recorded.

“Peloton is disappointed that, despite its offers of collaboration, and despite the fact that the Tread+ complies with all applicable safety standards, CPSC was unwilling to engage in any meaningful discussions with Peloton before issuing its inaccurate and misleading press release,” the company said.

the takeaway

What the CPSC didn’t say is whether Peloton’s machines are more dangerous than other treadmills. Now they will begin to investigate other models.