A book could be written about the once high-flying Rad Power Bikes but it would end at chapter 13. It is being reported by GeekWire that Rad Power Bikes has auctioned off its assets to Life Electric Vehicles Holdings Inc. and the future plans for the brand are not known.
The strange twist to the Rad saga comes just after the company’s bankruptcy announcement in late 2025. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) announced that some of RAD’s products were starting fires and customers should stop using them. Well, more than stop using them. Customers were instructed to dispose of the batteries in a safe and timely fashion.
RAD said that due to their financial constraints, there was nothing they could do about recalling the explosive batteries or replacing them. They claimed the CPSC lacked the evidence necessary to prove the batteries caused a fire risk. Then a fire broke out at a RAD showroom in California. Ouch!
The folks left holding the proverbial burning bags unfortunately are Rad Bike owners.
BUYERS ADVICE
The demise of Rad Bikes should be a valuable lesson to those interested in buying an e-bike. I council friends to limit their e-bike search to established “bicycle” brands, not established E-bike brands. The low-retail pricing (or more ofter, direct pricing) of start-up brands is enticing unless you are left with a bike that you can’t use or is a danger to your home and family.
Specialized, Trek and Giant are going to be around for the foreseeable future and they all stand strongly and proudly behind their product offerings. They also boast a larger network of bicycle shops that sell and service their products.
If cost is no issue, there are smaller bicycle brands that I would recommend. They offer high-quality e-bikes in their line and they stand behind their products. As an example, I ride a Pivot e-bike. But I would not recommend buying from an E-bike-only company.
OUR TIPS FOR CHARGING AND USING E-BIKE BATTERIES
1. Always charge your bike’s battery outside of your home, apartment, garage or storage shed.
2. Never leave a battery charging unattended. Day or night.
3. Don’t leave batteries on a charger once they are charged.
4. Never charge a battery in a confined space like a motorhome, RV, boat, automobile, van or shed.
5. Never charge a battery that has been dropped, damaged or dinged.
6. Never charge a battery in a hallway entry/exit.
7. Never modify a battery.
8. Use only batteries recommended and approved by your bike’s manufacturer. Same with the battery charger.
9. If your e-bike makes a weird noise, feels hot, emits smoke or seems to be straining, stop riding. Do not load it in a car or put in the garage. Call 911. Any of these warning signs could mean a fire is eminent.
11. Look for the UL 2849 certified sticker on your next e-bike purchase.