UK Skateboard Shop Hits the Brakes as Four US Deaths Raise Alarm
The skateboard Shop in the UK has swiftly ceased the sale of Onewheel electric skateboards in response to a recent recall initiated in the United States. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) in the US has issued a recall affecting all 300,000 Onewheels sold, citing critical safety concerns following four reported deaths linked to skateboard use. According to the CPSC, One wheel poses a crash hazard that could result in severe injuries or even death.
In light of these developments, The Skateboards Shop is reaching out to its UK customers who have purchased One Wheel, alerting them about the recall. While the store has opted to keep the products listed on its website, it has disabled the “buy” button, allowing customers only to “enquire” about the items.
Meanwhile, Future Motion, the manufacturer of Onewheel, faces a mounting legal challenge in the US, with 31 lawsuits from users who claim the skateboard suddenly stopped or shut off, leading to falls. The company maintains that One wheels are safe when used in accordance with basic riding principles. Nevertheless, last year, the CPSC had already recommended discontinuing Onewheel use due to safety concerns.
The recall encompasses all Onewheel electric skateboard models, including the original Onewheel, Onewheel+, Onewheel+ XR, Onewheel Pint, Onewheel Pint X, and Onewheel GT.
#RECALL: Onewheel Self-Balancing Electric Skateboards due to crash hazard; four deaths reported. Get repair or refund. CONTACT: https://t.co/st3B2IAsBL, https://t.co/t675LWMzXc or 800-283-7943.
— US Consumer Product Safety Commission (@USCPSC) September 29, 2023
Full recall notice: https://t.co/MfAMflViCn pic.twitter.com/ZZO2jH5oXn
In addition to the reported deaths, the CPSC received numerous injury reports, including traumatic brain injuries, concussions, paralysis, fractures, and ligament damage. The agency underscores the importance of protective gear like helmets and knee pads when riding. Future Motion is offering an optional safety alert feature called “haptic buzz,” which can be installed through a firmware update.
It alerts riders to potential crash situations, prompting them to slow down and lean back. This feature is available for Onewheel GT, Pint X, Pint, and XR models. Customers with the original Onewheel and Onewheel+ models, which are no longer in production, are eligible for a $100 credit toward a new device. Recall requests can be submitted through a link on Future Motion’s website.”