Peloton Recalls Thousands of Bike Pedals After Reports of Injuries

Peloton has recalled clip-in pedals on about 27,000 of its exercise bikes after it received reports of broken pedals causing injuries including five that needed stitches or other types of medical care. According to a report in The New York Times, the recall applies to pedals on bikes sold between July 2013 and May 2016. It came after 120 reports of the pedals breaking and 16 reports of injuries.

Details of the Recall

Peloton exercise bikes have surged in popularity especially during the coronavirus pandemic when those who have been unable to go to gyms because of lockdowns have turned to exercise bikes and treadmills to work out at home. The bikes, which cost $1,895 plus a $39 monthly subscription fee for live-streamed classes, are among the priciest options available on the market.

A Peloton spokeswoman told the Times that the recall affected only customers using their out-of-warranty original pedals on the affected bikes. Peloton said it recommended that users change their bike pedals annually, which would cost an additional $60. If a bike is fitted with the recalled pedals, customers are urged to stop using them right away.

Product Liability Issues

It is curious that a product as costly as a Peloton bike would need new bike pedals every year. It leads us to question the quality of these bike pedals in the first place, and whether it is manufactured with good quality parts. Product manufacturers have the legal obligation to make products that are safe for consumers to use. The injuries described in the report were apparently serious enough to require medical attention including getting stitches.

Consumers who have been injured as a result of defective products can seek compensation by filing a product liability case. In such cases, plaintiffs have the burden of proof. Therefore, they will need to prove that the product had a defect, that it was used as intended, that it caused injuries and that the plaintiff suffered monetary damages as a result of those injuries such as medical expenses, lost income, etc.

In such cases, injured victims may be able to seek compensation for damages such as medical expenses, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of rehabilitation, pain and suffering and emotional distress. An experienced product defect lawyer will be able to advise injured victims and their families regarding their legal rights and options in such cases.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/16/business/peloton-pedal-recall.html