Peloton Interactive, a company that makes exercise equipment, has agreed to pay more than $19 million in fines for a delay in reporting a dangerous treadmill defect.
In a news release, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission said that Peloton knowingly failed to report that its Tread+ treadmill has a defect that could create a hazard and risk serious injury. The commission said the company is required by law to report such a defect.
The agency said Peloton will be paying a $19,065,000 civil penalty.
CPSC said that the civil penalty also settles charges related to Peloton knowingly distributing recalled treadmills, which is a violation of the Consumer Product Safety Act.
Starting in Dec. 2018 and into 2019, Peloton reportedly received more than 10 reports of incidents where people using equipment were pulled under or became entrapped, according to The Associated Press. A child died and 13 others were injured with broken bones, lacerations, friction burns and more.
According to the AP, Peloton had the information but didn’t report the incidents to the CPSC.
The agency announced the recall of the Tread+ treadmill on May 5, 2021.
Peloton will be required to file a yearly compliance report for the next five years as part of their settlement, according to the AP.
According to the AP, Peloton released a statement saying they are looking forward to working with CPSC and being cooperative to ensure the safety of customers. They are also working on getting the approval for a Tread+ rear guard that would be added to treadmills to create more safety.
No further information has been released.
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