Peloton treadmills recalled after a child dies; CEO apologizes for ‘mistake’ in initial response

NEW YORK — Peloton is recalling its treadmills after one child died and 29 other children suffered cuts, broken bones and other injuries from being pulled under the rear of the treadmill.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said Wednesday that Peloton received 72 reports of adults, kids, pets or other items, such as exercise balls, being pulled under the treadmill.

The recall comes after the safety commission warned last month that people with children or pets to immediately stop using Peloton treadmills and posted a video on YouTube of a child being pulled under the treadmill.

CPSC/Peloton

“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,” Peloton CEO John Foley said in a statement.

Peloton is best known for its stationary bikes, but it introduced the treadmill about three years ago and now calls it the Tread+. It costs more than $4,200.

The company and the Consumer Product Safety Commission announced the voluntary recalls of Peloton Tread+ and Tread treadmills, covering about 125,000 and 1,050 units in the United States.

“Consumers who have purchased either treadmill should immediately stop using it and contact Peloton for a full refund,” the company and agency said in a joint statement.

Those who own the treadmill can get a full refund from Peloton by Nov. 6, 2022.