Peloton recalls 2 million exercise bikes after injury reports

Peloton recalled more than 2 million of its exercise bikes Thursday following complaints of breaking seat posts, officials said.

The workout equipment company recalled 2.2 million bikes with the model number PL01 after receiving 35 reports of the seat post breaking off while being used, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

Those reports included 13 complaints involving injuries such as “a fractured wrist, lacerations and bruises due to falling from the bike,” the commission said.

“Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled exercise bikes and contact Peloton for a free repair,” the commission wrote. “Peloton is offering consumers a free seat post that can be self-installed.”

Peloton followed up the recall announcement with a statement saying, “As part of our commitment to product safety, we are voluntarily recalling the seat post of affected units to provide a free replacement seat post,” and adding a FAQ to the website.

Affected bikes were sold between January 2018 and this month for about $1,400. Peloton and Dick’s Sporting Goods had the bikes available in their stores and on their websites, while Amazon.com also sold them.

“The Peloton Bike measures 4 ft. long x 2 ft. wide, and has an adjustable seat, handlebar, and screen, which tilts up and down to accommodate different heights,” the commission wrote. “The Peloton name and the model number are displayed on the inside front fork, near the flywheel.”

The New York City-based fitness company previously recalled about 125,000 of its treadmills in May 2021, weeks after a 6-year-old child died after being pulled under one of the machines. At the time of that recall, the company had received more than 70 complaints involving its treadmills, including 29 reports of injuries to kids.

“I think it’s horrible. A child died. I’m going to see if I can return mine, for sure,” Dana Rossi, a resident of Delray Beach, Fla., told The News of her treadmill at the time.

“It’s so powerful,” Rossi said. “I did feel uncomfortable when my 9-year-old son ran on it. I would always watch him and never let him do it on his own. It’s gigantic and there’s a lot of space underneath.”

Two weeks after the treadmill recall, Peloton introduced a new lock function for those machines. The treadmills sold for more than $4,000.

Peloton has been in the process of a corporate reorganization. In October the company announced it was cutting about 500 jobs. That announcement came after the company said in August that it would cut 784 jobs, close its North America distribution network and shift delivery work to third-party providers.