Peloton Responds To Consumer Product Safety Commission Bulletin

In the face of a consumer safety recall following the death of a child on one of its treadmills, Peloton said in a press release that “there is no reason to stop using” its Tread+ connected fitness treadmill “as long as all warnings and safety instructions are followed.”

Peloton’s press release comes after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) published a bulletin, which Peloton says is “inaccurate and misleading,” that asked consumers to stop using the treadmill.

“The importance of following Peloton’s safety warnings and instructions is abundantly clear in the video that CPSC included in its unilateral press release,” Peloton said in its press release.

Peloton says that it tells members to take away the safety key during times that the treadmill is not being used “to avoid the kind of incident that this video depicts.” The company says that the treadmill is unable to be turned on at times that the safety key is removed “as instructed.”

Moreover, Peloton says that the treadmill comes with safety warnings and instructions in a number of locations such as the safety card put on top of the treadmill tray at the time of delivery, the user manual, and on the equipment itself, according to the release.

Peloton said it was “shocked and devastated” to learn in March that a child died while using the treadmill. The company said it notified the CPSC within a day of learning that news.

As it was getting its report to the CPSC ready, Peloton said it learned through a doctor’s report to the commission’s public database that a child had experienced a brain injury.

“Peloton spoke to the family who reported that and the child is expected to fully recover,” the company said in the release.

Peloton said in the release that John Foley, the company’s co-founder and CEO, sent a reminder to Tread+ members on March 18, 2021 to adhere to instructions that come with the treadmill that “state that children, pets, and objects should be kept clear of the Tread+ at all times.”

“While Peloton knows that the Tread+ is safe for the home when used in accordance with warnings and safety instructions, the company is committed to taking whatever steps are necessary and appropriate to further inform Members of potential risks and remind them of measures they need to take to safeguard themselves and others in their households,” Peloton said in the release.