SANTA CRUZ, Calif. — Electric skateboard riders in Santa Cruz, California are being urged to immediately stop using their OneWheel boards due to dozens of reported injuries and four deaths. The U.S. Consumer Product Commission has recalled 300,000 electric skateboards manufactured by Future Motion, a Santa Cruz-based company, citing a potential crash hazard. According to the commission’s report, the skateboards can lose balance if their limits are exceeded, leading to serious injury or death. Injuries reported include traumatic brain injury, concussion, paralysis, and fractures, while the four deaths were due to head trauma, with at least three victims not wearing helmets.
John Marheineke, a Santa Cruz resident, expressed sympathy for those affected by the injuries and deaths, and lamented the situation. Meanwhile, Olivier Guincetre, owner of Covewater Surf Shop and a OneWheel vendor, suggested that the incidents seemed more like rider mistakes. He also expressed optimism about the continued community support for OneWheel, acknowledging the strong following it has.
The recall is expected to have financial implications for local vendors like Guincetre, who pre-purchased their boards. The affected OneWheel models include the OneWheel GT, OneWheel Pint X, OneWheel Pint, and the OneWheel+ XR. The commission is advising users to download the OneWheel app for updates that include a buzz alert function to alert riders when the board is close to its limits.
This is not the first time the company has faced scrutiny, as a warning was issued to users last year for a potential ejection hazard. The sentiment among Santa Cruz residents who have tried the OneWheel boards is mixed, with some finding them fun but difficult to ride due to lack of foot control and the risk of falling at higher speeds.
In conclusion, the recall has sparked concerns about the safety of electric skateboards, with the focus now on addressing the reported issues and ensuring the well-being of riders.