About the CPSC Onewheel Recall
The US Consumer Product Safety Commission (USCPSC) has warned consumers to stop using Onewheel products and is pursuing a recall of the entire Onewheel lineup: Onewheel (V1), Onewheel+, Onewheel+ XR, Onewheel Pint, Onewheel Pint X, and Onewheel GT. The CPSC alleges that Onewheels present an unacceptable risk for serious injury and death.
We the riders know this isn’t true! But, now we need to make that case to the CPSC, or the sport could be at risk. So what can you do?
Click here to sign the open letter from Future Motion and tell the CPSC why Onewheels should not be recalled or banned! Read on to see how we made our case.
Dear USCPSC:
Your efforts to discontinue and ban the Onewheel are misguided and without precedent.
While it is true that some individuals have been injured or killed while using the product, this is not due to a design flaw, but simple physics. I’m sure others have explained to you by now that a single-wheeled device with finite torque and power cannot continue to self-balance indefinitely. The product is not flawed because it fails to continue functioning when consumers exceed the limits of said product.
These limits are well-indicated on the packaging of all Onewheel models. In order to use the device, the customer must first remove the literature wrapped around its footpads, which explains how the board will behave when the rider approaches its limits. This literature also indicates that users should wear appropriate protective equipment while learning to ride, including but not limited to a helmet. Therefore, no customer has an excuse not to understand the workings of the board or the risk involved in riding it.
In addition to this comprehensive literature, Onewheels are programmed with “pushback,” a function that serves two purposes. First, it creates acceleration to keep the board under the rider’s feet when the rider is putting too much pressure on the nose (trying to go too fast). Second, it noticeably lifts the rider’s front foot when the board is approaching the limits of its power and torque, creating an uncomfortable riding stance that naturally encourages the user to slow down to safer speeds.
If individual consumers neglected to read the literature, chose to ignore programmed warning signs and exceed the clearly stated limits of the product, or decided to attempt a new board sport without wearing appropriate protective gear, that is a matter of personal responsibility, NOT a product flaw and NOT negligence on the manufacturer’s part.
Every activity and every product comes with risks, especially products of a skill-based recreational nature. The risks associated with the Onewheel are not greater than those presented by skateboards, snowboards, scooters, skis, bicycles, motorcycles, four-wheelers, snowmobiles, cars, and essentially any form of personal transportation.
The benefits associated with Onewheel products far outweigh the risks, even accounting for the few tragic instances of individual riders who paid the ultimate price for their own negligence.
- Physical health: The Onewheel encourages riders to get outside and move around.
- Mental health: Onewheel creates a zen state of mind that helps many riders (including myself) combat anxiety and depression.
- Family: Onewheeling is an ageless activity that brings families together across generations.
- Community: This product has attracted a vibrant and passionate group of people, many of them misfits before they discovered the community that has grown around Onewheel as a leisure activity and as a sport.
- Accessibility: Onewheels unlock the world. In the city, they enable essential transportation for people who can’t afford a car, with all its associated costs of gas, parking, and maintenance–or simply for those who wish to reduce their carbon footprint. On the trails, Onewheels enable people who may be unable to pedal a bike due to injury, illness, disability, or the inevitable process of aging to access and enjoy the beauty of nature.
For these reasons and more, the Onewheel community stands against the CPSC’s decision, and we will push back at every step of the way.
Sincerely,
Amanda Thompson
President
International One Wheel Association
I’m 63 years old and in the past 3 years I’ve ridden 15,000 injury-free miles on my Onewheel XR and GT. The people who experience “nosedives” are simply asking the battery to supply more amps to the motor than it’s capable of doing under certain conditions, such as accelerating too quickly with low battery power, high head winds, steep hills or low tire pressure (more friction). The Onewheel can be ridden safely, as I’ve demonstrated in my 3 years of riding nearly every day!
Noooooo
Please don’t ban Onewheels
I have used mine as Therapy.
A few people getting hurt is horrible, but if you read the directions and you wear safety gear, it is safe.
Follow the manufacturers instructions and warnings and wear your safety gear. No need for a recall..
You got my vote!
As a person that watches over thousands of riders in Arizona, I can say with confidence that many miles of smiles and joy have been had through the love of riding a Onewheel. I know that most accidents happen from overconfidence, which can lead to a lack of attention and the assumption that the board will always work, even when being used past the specs and or in situations that are not recommended. I personally have over 10k miles between many boards and board types and have never had an issue. I appreciate the International One Wheel Association for picking up this story to help those at the CPSC understand that most riders are willing to accept the potential for accidents, by mitigating the damage with proper safety gear to allow for the joy these devices provide.
Please do not ban it
Onewheel boards have been an incredible enhancement to my life. I have had falls on the Onewheel over the thousands of miles I’ve ridden, but every single one of them was my fault and not the board or the manufacter’s
OneWheels are not flawed. Rider negligence is not the company’s or products fault.
sueshoemaker@sbcglobal.net . I love the OneWheels . I admire those who ride . We need to allow them to continue to ride . It’s a great sport to participate in . Yes keep this great sport going .
I am a 57 year old grandmother. In 2017 I was stricken with neuroborreliosis (Lyme disease of the brain), losing my ability to walk without assistance and eventually becoming bed bound. Suicide was often at the forefront of my mind while I stared at my bedroom ceiling and life as I knew it outside my bedroom went to hell.
I struggled greatly as I underwent 2 grueling years of treatment, but finally began to regain my balance. In 2019, I acquired a Onewheel XR which quickly became an integral part of my physical and psychological rehabilitation. I credit Future Motion’s innovative device, the XR, for being THE thing that got me out of bed each day. The joy of riding, seeing the outside world again and improving my skills gave me reason to work hard towards physical and mental wellness. I can honestly say that my XR saved my life.
In 2021, I began riding competitively around the country racing along side of some of the best women riders in the world. I willingly accept the risks that are inherent to pushing limits, just as any other athlete engaged in other sports like snowboarding, skiing, motocross, skateboarding, mountain biking, etc.
As a well-grown adult, I do not want nor do I need a nanny to take away things that I may or may not injure myself with. So please, please, keep your hands off my snowboard, my bikes, and my Onewheel.
The OneWheel has made my life better. It has enhanced my mental well being and reinvigorated my lust for life. The past couple years have been hard for everyone and my OneWheel helped get me (and I’m sure thousands of others) get through the hard times. To me the OneWheel represents freedom and joy. The fact that you are trying to take it away is frustrating at best. I do not need you, or anyone else to intervene on my behalf. You have NO right to interfere with the free market. Your overreach is appalling. OneWheels don’t kill people, people who don’t respect the OneWheel kill people. I am quite frankly sickened by your arrogance and ignorance. Stay in your lane. You will single handedly destroy countless jobs and ruin thousands (quite likely more) of peoples livelihoods if you continue with bully tactics. You will stop the culture. You will not, and cannot stop us from riding.
I mean you will NOT stop the culture.
In the last four years I’ve covered over 11,000 miles without any serious injuries. The product is in fact safe when operated as it’s designed to be used.
This is a freedom that I will never give up. I was told I couldn’t ride mine in a state park…..why, lack of knowledge. You can put any idiot on any machine and they can hurt themself. Respect the ride and float on!