Almost exactly a month ago, John Foley, CEO of Peloton, wrote an open letter on the company’s treadmill. “I am turning to you today because I recently learned of a tragic accident involving a child and the Tread + that resulted in an inconceivable death,” he begins. “While we have known only a small handful of incidents involving the Tread + involving children, each one is devastating to all of us in Peloton and our hearts go out to the families affected.”
Today the US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an alert urging users to stop using the Tread +. Citing 39 incidents, including the death mentioned above, the CPSC writes: “The Commission has determined that public health and safety needs this notice in order to quickly alert the public of the danger.”
Peloton followed suit with its own strongly worded statement: “The company is concerned about the unilateral press release from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) on the Peloton Tread + because it is inaccurate and misleading. There is no need to stop using the Tread + as long as all warnings and cautions are followed. “
The commission’s warning covers multiple injuries involving young children and a pet. The notice advises users with children to stop using the product. This is a stricter warning than Foley’s initial suggestions back in March, who at the time urged users to keep children and pets off the system and keep the device out of reach after use. Peloton has since added that there have been 23 incidents involving children, 15 involving objects and, the CPSC found, one involving a pet. The company added that it had not previously disclosed the details due to privacy concerns.
“If consumers need to keep using the product, CPSC urges consumers to only use the product in a locked room to prevent access to children and pets while the treadmill is in use,” the organization notes. “Keep all items, including exercise balls and other equipment, away from the treadmill.”
The affiliated fitness maker adds:
Peloton invited CPSC to make a joint announcement about the risk of not following the warnings and cautions that came with the Tread +, and Foley asked to meet with CPSC directly. CPSC has wrongly characterized Peloton’s efforts to work together and correct inaccuracies in CPSC’s press release as an attempt to delay. This couldn’t be further from the truth. The company has already urged members to follow all warnings and safety instructions. Peloton is disappointed that, despite its offers to collaborate and despite the fact that the Tread + meets all applicable safety standards, CPSC was unwilling to have meaningful conversations with Peloton before issuing its inaccurate and misleading press release.