Peloton to pay US$19 million to settle case involving recalled treadmill that caused death of child

Interactive fitness platform Peloton has agreed to pay a $19 million fine to resolve a charge by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) over a failure to immediately report a defect in one of its treadmills that led to more than a dozen injuries and a child’s death.

The CPSC said that Peloton began to receive reports of customers being pulled under and entrapped near the rear of its Tread+ Treadmill in 2018 and 2019, but failed to immediately report the incidents to the Commission as required by law.

The product was eventually recalled in May 2021, though the CPSC said Peloton violated law by knowingly distributing dozens of the recalled treadmill.

The settlement, agreed last week, resolves this claim.

When the fitness equipment company first became aware of the incidents it relocated a warning label near the danger area. It also considered adding a rear guard to the product, according to the settlement agreement.

Nonetheless, the CPSC advised that Peloton did not report the incidents.

In March 2021, Peloton learned that a six-year-old died after becoming entrapped in the treadmill. A day later, Peloton informed the Commission of the incident.

In a statement following the settlement, Peloton advised of being “deeply committed to the safety and well-being of our members and to the continuous improvement of our products.

The statement added “we are pleased to have reached this settlement agreement with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and look forward to working cooperatively with the CPSC to further enhance Member safety. As such, Peloton continues to pursue the CPSC’s approval of a Tread+ rear guard that would further augment its safety features."

Image: A Peloton home treadmill.