Future Motion, makers of the popular Onewheel self-balancing electric skateboard, has issued a voluntary recall of all models due to serious injury and death concerns. This covers approximately 140,000 Onewheel boards sold in the U.S. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) advised stopping use of the recalled products immediately.
According to the CPSC, Onewheel boards were involved in four fatalities and over 2,300 reported injuries from 2017 to 2022. Impacts, falls, and sudden stops frequently led to head trauma, broken bones, lacerations, and road rash. Many riders expressed safety concerns about the boards, citing dangerous accelerations, decelerations, or tips and falls.
Unstable By Design?
Onewheel boards feature a single wide tire controlled by weight distribution and body positioning. Riders lean forward to accelerate and back to slow down. These electric skateboards can reach top speeds around 20 mph depending on the model.
But consumer advocates argue the unstable single-wheel design makes Onewheel boards prone to sudden acceleration or tipping backwards. Some allege the boards dump riders when pushed to the limits. Sudden losses of control led to many crashes and collisions into obstacles, vehicles, and pedestrians.
Company Pushes Back on Claims
In response to the CPSC recall, Future Motion stated it does not agree the Onewheel boards are defective. The company cites user error and reckless riding as factors in most incidents.
Future Motion maintains the boards offer a unique riding experience, but have an inherent learning curve for mastery. The company argues many riders do not take the time to learn proper techniques before hitting roads and trails. But critics dispute this stance in light of reported hardware and software issues.
Recall Offers Refunds
Despite disagreeing with the CPSC’s recall justification, Future Motion has ceased Onewheel sales and distribution. The recall allows consumers to return their Onewheel boards for a full refund until May 19, 2023.
The offer extends to all models produced to date, including the Onewheel, Onewheel+, Onewheel XR, Onewheel Pint, Onewheel Pint X, and Onewheel GT. Future Motion stated it remains committed to safety and plans to re-engage with the CPSC on next steps to potentially resume sales.
But for now, Onewheel owners face decisions on whether to keep enjoying their boards or take advantage of refunds. Riders embracing the carve-and-lean riding style argue proper precautions greatly reduce, but don’t eliminate, Onewheel risks. However, critics maintain the hoverboard-style boards need redesigns prioritizing stability to improve safety.