Photo credit: Giorgio Trovato
A Peloton recall affects 2.2 million exercise bikes on the market, urging customers to stop using those bikes immediately.
The recall affects Peloton exercise bike model PL01 sold from January 2018 to May 2023. “Peloton has received 35 reports of the seat post breaking during use and becoming detached from the bike, including 13 reports of injuries including a broken wrist, lacerations, and bruises from falling off the bike,” the Consumer Product statement said Safety Commission.
“Consumers should stop using the recalled exercise bikes immediately and contact Peloton for a free repair. “Peloton is offering consumers a free seat post that they can install themselves.” Notice continues. The recall only affects the original Peloton bike sold in the US, not its international models or the Peloton Bike+ model.
This isn’t the first major security incident involving Peloton hardware. The same consumer organization warned consumers not to use the Peloton Tread+ treadmill in 2021 after dozens of safety incidents were reported, including the death of a child. The company agreed to pay a $19 million fine for failing to report these safety issues with its treadmill.
Peloton caused a stir in the music industry when it was revealed that the fitness company is paying 3.1 cents per stream — well above what DSPs like Spotify and Apple Music are paying. Peloton’s total payout to the music industry in 2020 was just $35 million, largely due to the fact that the music is curated and the subscription cost of its monthly service per user is much higher compared to music streaming business models .
Apple and Spotify only have to pay mechanical royalties for the music they provide, while Peloton also has to pay a performance royalty for the music offered in its classes. This increases the fees paid to artists and publishers, resulting in higher royalties per stream. Part of this is because the National Music Publishers Association sued Peloton for failing to obtain dubbing licenses.
In February 2020, Peloton settled its lawsuit with the NMPA. We don’t know the actual comparison details, but Peloton has reported expenditure $49.3 million in legal fees in the same quarter that the NMPA lawsuit was settled.