There Has Been a Recall on the Most Popular Indoor Bike, Peloton

Cycling is not just a hobby for most people who are serious about the sport. Once you have felt the endorphins flow after completing your first tough ride, it can quickly become a way of life. This passion often leads people to purchase an indoor bike to feed their passion year-round.

But is it safe?

Peloton has made a name for itself and successfully carved out a pretty large portion of the indoor bike market despite its hefty price tag. It is the indoor cycle many people aspire to own, mostly because of the on-demand spinning classes with wildly charismatic instructors who keep cyclists motivated throughout the ride. Unfortunately, Peloton recently had to recall 27,000 bikes due to a product liability issue. If you own a Peloton, this recall may affect you.

An unexpected danger of cycling

Bikes are basic vehicles, but the design features and quality of the parts make or break a brand. Peloton has been known as a high-quality cycle but even they are not immune from manufacturing defects. Pedals have been breaking on bikes sold between July 2013 and May 2016 with over 100 injury reports filed, including at least 16 leg injuries with 5 cyclists requiring medical treatment such as stitches.

Model PR70P clip-in pedals are Peloton’s first-generation pedals, which were made with weaker axles that can unexpectedly break. Imagine standing on a bike pedal while forcing all your weight down and it suddenly gives way causing your foot to be forced down pushing your calf against sheared off metal. Several riders have required stitches after just that experience.

What can you do if you have these defective pedals?

In conjunction with the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Peloton issued a voluntary recall on the defective pedals on October 15, 2020, due to a laceration hazard. When products are recalled, the company offers some type of remedy to its customers. Even if your warranty has expired, the available remedies include the following:

• Repairing the product or part
• Replacing the product or part
• Refunding a reasonable amount taking depreciation into account

The remedy is always at the discretion of the manufacturer and in the case of the defective clip-in pedals, Peloton is providing free replacements to customers who submit a pedal request form.

To determine whether you have pedals that qualify for replacement check to see whether:

• The Peloton logo and name are both molded into the body of the pedal
• An orange Peloton logo and name is imprinted in white on top of the cleat binding

Recovering from a Peloton pedal injury

Even a minor laceration can turn into a serious injury without proper care. Those who required stitches received deeper cuts to their legs and calf muscles, which can take time to heal, and you will still end up with some scarring as part of the healing process.

Muscle lacerations are orthopedic injuries that can take months to heal but before you reach that point:

• Your wound will need to be irrigated and cleaned out to prevent infection from setting in.
• You may need a tetanus shot to prevent complications if you are not current on your vaccination.
• You may be prescribed antibiotics to further guard against infection and pain medication for comfort.
• Bruising and swelling are often common with laceration injuries so icing the area may be advised.
• Your calf muscle could require up to six weeks of rest before you can begin gentle stretching to improve your range of motion and protect against tearing newly repaired muscle tissue.

Buying a product that promises to help you maintain a healthy lifestyle only to have it malfunction and cause you injury feels like an ultimate betrayal of trust. If you have been injured by a Peloton cycle or other piece of defective fitness equipment, you could be entitled to receive compensation for medical care, lost wages, and other damages.

To schedule your free case evaluation today with the caring Atlanta product liability attorneys at Harris Lowry Manton LLP, call our Atlanta office at 404-998-8847, our Savannah office at 912-417-3774, or we invite you to reach out to us through our contact page to tell us your story.