Onewheel Self-Balancing Skateboards lead to 4 deaths

Started by Biketographer, November 29, 2022, 10:08:45 AM

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Biketographer

From PR Newswire November 16, 2022

CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Onewheel Self-Balancing Electric Skateboards Due to Ejection Hazard; At Least Four Deaths and Multiple Injuries Reported

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WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is warning consumers about the risk of death and serious injury with Future Motion's Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboards.  CPSC urges consumers to immediately stop using all Onewheel models (Onewheel, Onewheel+, Onewheel+ XR, Onewheel Pint, Onewheel Pint X, and Onewheel GT). 

CPSC evaluated the Onewheel products and found that they can cause the rider to be ejected from the product, which can result in serious injury or death to the rider.  There have been at least four reported deaths between 2019 and 2021 and multiple reports of serious injuries after the product failed to balance the rider or suddenly stopped while in motion.  The reported deaths resulted from head trauma. Reported injuries include traumatic brain injury, concussion, paralysis, upper-body fractures, lower-body fractures, and ligament damage.

The Onewheel products are self-balancing electric skateboards with a single wheel in the middle of the board and front and rear footpads where the rider stands astride the wheel.  The brand (Onewheel) and model (e.g., Onewheel+, Pint, GT) appear on the side of the skateboard. The Onewheel logo is printed on the skateboard's wheel. The serial number can be found on the underside of the bottom of the skateboard rail.

The Onewheel products have been sold since 2014, online at www.onewheel.com and by authorized independent dealers nationwide.  Current models are priced between $1050 and $2200.

Future Motion has refused to agree to an acceptable recall of the product.  CPSC intends to continue pursuing a recall for consumers.

CPSC urges consumers not to buy the Onewheel.  If you already own one or purchased one, do not use it due to the ejection hazard.  Report incidents with the Onewheel and any dangerous product or a product-related injury on www.SaferProducts.gov.

CPSC urges consumers NOT to resell or donate the Onewheel so others are not put in danger by the hazard.

Under section 6(b) of the Consumer Product Safety Act, the CPSC is required to include with this press release any comments from the manufacturer or a summary thereof.  The company objects to this press release.  As summarized, the firm states that all Onewheel electric skateboards are safe when operated following basic safe riding principles common to any board sport.  The firm sees no reason for riders to stop using their boards or new riders to not purchase one. The firm states that it always encourages riders to carefully educate themselves on how to use the board safely, ride within their abilities, and wear a helmet and other safety gear. The firm states that Onewheel users know that there are inherent risks in riding an electric skateboard, just as there are in any other board sport, or with riding an e-bike, electric scooter, ATV, or motorcycle.  The firm states that safety is at the core of its business and that it has made continual improvements in product safety over the six generations of products it has in the market.  The firm states that the overwhelming majority of Onewheel riders use the board the way it is supposed to be used, stay within their abilities, respect the board's operational limits, and follow local laws.

About the U.S. CPSC
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risk of injury or death associated with the use of thousands of types of consumer products. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product-related incidents cost the nation more than $1 trillion annually. CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer products has contributed to a decline in the rate of injuries associated with consumer products over the past 50 years.

Federal law prohibits any person from selling products subject to a Commission ordered recall or a voluntary recall undertaken in consultation with the CPSC.
When in traffic:  "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity" or, just a simple mistake.

Biketographer

Onewheel Community Delivers Over 4,000 Letters to CPSC Defending the Right to "Let Us Ride!"

SANTA CRUZ, Calif., Nov. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Future Motion, the California based small business that proudly designs and assembles Onewheel electric skateboards in the USA, announced that the Onewheel rider community has written more than 4,000 letters to the CPSC, delivering them today to the agency headquarters just outside the nation's capital. The letters embody the enthusiastic and strong support for Future Motion and represent the considerable concerns of this community for the agency's recent unjust and alarmist public warning that urged board owners to stop riding their Onewheels and American adults not to purchase any version of the product.


"The ongoing and overwhelming public rejection of the CPSC's unwarranted attack on Onewheels press may have been surprising to the agency, but this reaction was not a surprise to our company or to the Onewheel community," said Kyle Doerksen, Founder and CEO of Future Motion. "These letters from Onewheel riders are very emotional as they extoll the joy, exhilaration, and freedom they experience from their boards. Future Motion takes great pride in our products. The fact is: Onewheels are safe when operated following common-sense safe riding practices that are common to any boardsport. Onewheel boards are not defective. There is inherent risk in any action sport, and that is something our riders knowingly accept and seek out."

"Via letters and posts across social media, thousands of riders are saying how their boards have helped them overcome depression, live healthier lifestyles, enjoy more time outdoors, and forge new friendships and family connections. We thought it was critically important for the CPSC to hear directly from just a small portion of the hundreds of thousands of dedicated Onewheel customers who operate Onewheels safely every day," added Doerksen.

Javier Starks, a Washington, D.C. resident who delivered the 4,000+ letters to the CPSC headquarters on his Onewheel, said, "As an avid Onewheel rider, I can tell you firsthand that these boards are safe when used appropriately. I have personally ridden over 38,000 miles on my Onewheels. The decision made by the CPSC reflects the experiences of a select few. If this logic was used when assessing the safety of other vehicles, such as trains, planes and automobiles, they all would likely be classified as 'dangerous.' I believe that learning the personal experience of THOUSANDS will outweigh the experiences of a few. We believe the CPSC is run by people who have good intentions. These compelling stories in the form of heartfelt letters will hopefully change how the agency views Onewheel boards and the immense community of citizens like myself who rely on them for day-to-day transport and survival."

Despite the agency's unjustified and alarmist statements regarding Onewheels, Future Motion will continue attempting to collaborate with CPSC staff on common sense safety measures that even further enhance rider safety and allow the Onewheel movement to thrive.

About Future Motion, Inc

Founded in 2013, Future Motion is committed to designing and developing inspiring vehicles that include both elegant form and unprecedented function. Future Motion's products, Onewheel Pint, Pint X and Onewheel GT, exemplify its dedication to crafting products that bridge recreation and transportation. Future Motion designs not only the Onewheel product line but also all the subsystems that power it, including custom brushless motors, power electronics and battery modules. Onewheel, which provides a riding experience similar to surfing but on paved or unpaved trails, is perfectly situated in Santa Cruz where the mountains meet the sea. Its products are protected by over 70 issued patents in the U.S. and worldwide.
When in traffic:  "Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity" or, just a simple mistake.