Peloton announces new treadmill with safety features after reported injuries, death
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Peloton will sell its Tread treadmill model with new safety features in the U.S., UK and Canada on Aug. 30 and in Germany later this fall, the company announced Tuesday.
Why it matters: The move comes three months after the company recalled its Tread and Tread+ models due to reports of small children being injured and even killed beneath the machines.
- Peloton initially pushed back against the Consumer Product Safety Commission, which had recommended that consumers stop using its treadmill.
- The company later switched gears and urged people to stop using the machines immediately and contact Peloton for a full refund or "other qualified remedy."
Details: The new Tread has several safety features, including ...
- A Tread Lock. Each authorized user will need to enter the four-digit, digital passcode to unlock the belt before a workout.
- A physical safety key to help bring a runner to a quick stop during a class if needed.
- Easy-to-reach speed and incline knobs and stop buttons.
What they're saying: "Our goal is to be the go-to fitness solution and the largest and safest home fitness brand in the world," John Foley, Peloton’s CEO and co-founder, said in a statement.
- "We’ve worked hard to make sure the new Tread truly earns its spot in Members’ homes. We’ll always continue to innovate our hardware, software and safety features to live up to our commitment to Member safety and to improving the full Member experience."
The big picture: Peloton and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently announced free repairs for the roughly 1,000 Tread units previously sold in the U.S. to ensure the touchscreen remains securely attached to the machine.
- Current Tread owners in the UK and Canada are also eligible.
- New Treads sold after Tuesday will incorporate these changes.
Worth noting: The machine recall isn't the only controversy dogging Peloton. At one point, its website allowed anybody to access Peloton users' age, gender, city, weight and workout statistics.
