Peloton recalls 125,000 treadmills after child's death

The indoor fitness firm is recalling one of its top-selling products over safety fears. The company enjoyed a boom from the global lockdowns, with people buying products to work out at home.

Peloton, the home workout equipment firm that rose to prominence during the recent coronavirus lockdowns, is recalling treadmills in the US amid fears they could cause injury or even death.

A safety watchdog in the United States warned that the company's Tread and Tread+ machines pose a potentially fatal risk to adults, children and pets if they get pulled underneath.

As many as 125,000 units are being recalled in the US after a six-year-old child was killed in such an accident.

Peloton says it has had as many as 72 reports of injuries that include broken bones, cuts and grazes.

Tread machines sold in the UK are also being recalled because display consoles could fall off.

What has the company said?

Peloton CEO John Foley said on Wednesday the firm had "made a mistake" in not recalling the machines sooner.

"We should have engaged more productively with them from the outset. For that, I apologize."

At the time of the child's death in March, Foley said it was a "tragic accident" — one of a "small handful" of incidents in which children have been hurt on the firm's exercise equipment.

Peloton is best known for its stationary bikes, but it introduced treadmills about three years ago.

Sales of Peloton equipment have soared during the pandemic as virus-weary people avoid gyms and work out at home.

In the last three months of 2020, the company brought in $1billion in revenue, more than double what it made the year before.

What is Peloton being asked to do?

The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) said that Peloton had voluntarily recalled the Tread+ and Peloton Tread.

An agreement between the watchdog and Peloton means the firm must stop selling the machines in the US, which cost more than $4,200 (€3,500) and give a full refund to people who want to return them.

The touchscreen on the Tread can detach and fall, according to the CPSC. There have been reports of minor injuries such as abrasions, cuts and bruises in the UK and Canada.

The Tread+ carries a more serious hazard because "adult users, children, pets and objects can be pulled underneath the rear of the treadmill, posing a risk of injury or death."

The price of shares in the New York-based company tumbled nearly 14% after the recall announcement.

The company is best known for its stationary bikes, but has also introduced treadmills to its range