The Rad Power Bikes retail shop in Huntington Beach, Calif. (Rad Power Bikes Photo)
A fire broke out at a Rad Power Bikes retail location in Huntington Beach, Calif., on Sunday, drawing more attention to the Seattle-based e-bike company’s recent setbacks.
The Huntington Beach Fire Department responded to a two-alarm structure fire at a plaza housing the store on Pacific Coast Highway. Video streamed on YouTube shows firefighters dealing with the incident, and at least two e-bikes can be seen lying on the ground outside the facility. A photo on Facebook showed smoke rising from the building, which also contains an Equinox gym.
“We’re working with local authorities to review a thermal incident that occurred at our Huntington Beach store Sunday evening,” a Rad spokesperson told GeekWire. “The incident was contained and happened while the store was closed. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.”
The fire comes in the midst of a rough period for the once high-flying Rad Power Bikes. The startup filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December following surprising news in November that the company was fighting for survival as it faced “significant financial challenges.”
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning to consumers less than two months ago to stop using some of the company’s bikes because of danger posed by their lithium-ion batteries. The CPSC warning mentioned 31 reports of fire, with 12 involving property damage.
“Some of these incidents occurred when the battery was not charging, the product was not in use, and the product was in storage,” the report stated.
In a statement at the time, Rad said it “firmly stands behind our batteries and our reputation as leaders in the e-bike industry, and strongly disagrees with the CPSC’s characterization of certain Rad batteries as defective or unsafe.”
A Rad Power Bikes e-bike owned by Eric Stahl of San Francisco, parked in his garage next to a DIY battery containment solution made out of cinderblocks that he hopes would help contain a battery fire if one started. (Photo courtesy of Eric Stahl)
A Rad Power Bikes rider, alarmed by reports of e-bike lithium-ion battery fires, shared a homemade storage solution on Reddit this week, sparking a broader discussion about how to safely store the devices.
The post, shared in a Rad Power Bikes forum, shows a battery placed inside stacked and capped cinder blocks — a low-cost, do-it-yourself attempt to contain a potential fire. The idea resonated with riders who said they were uneasy about storing high-powered batteries inside homes, even as others questioned whether the setup would actually work.
Eric Stahl of San Francisco has owned his Rad Runner Plus e-bike since 2021. For the past couple of days he’s been engaged in a back-and-forth debate with “armchair engineers” about his solution.
“What I put on Reddit is a cheap, DIY, common sense solution,” he told GeekWire. “It’s not tested. It’s not proven. I’m not an engineer or an expert. So everyone needs to proceed at their own risk.”
The fire concerns come amid heightened scrutiny of e-bike battery safety. Last November, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning urging consumers to immediately stop using specific lithium-ion batteries for several Rad Power Bikes models, saying the batteries could “unexpectedly ignite and explode” and pose a fire hazard. The warning followed dozens of reports of battery-related incidents and property damage.
Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes disputed the agency’s characterization and declined to agree to a recall. Since then, the once high-flying startup has entered into bankruptcy protection and is in danger of an imminent shutdown following surprising news in November that it was fighting for survival amid “significant financial challenges.”
Seattle Fire Department officials say the anxiety among riders is understandable as lithium-ion batteries used in e-bikes and other micromobility devices have become a growing fire-safety concern.
“Lithium-ion batteries store a lot of energy in a compact device,” SFD Public Information Officer David Cuerpo told GeekWire. He said they can burn extremely hot and very fast when failures occur.
Seattle firefighters began formally tracking lithium-ion battery fires in 2022. Last year, the department responded to 43 fires involving batteries, according to Cuerpo. Those incidents involved a range of devices, from phones and laptops to e-bikes and scooters.
Fires can be triggered by physical damage to batteries, corrosion, electrical failure, or exposure to extreme temperatures. When a battery fails, heat can spread rapidly from one cell to another, potentially creating a cascading fire.
Depending on where bikes and batteries are stored in the home, Cuerpo cautioned that improvised solutions can introduce new hazards.
Without full details on the cinder block setup shown on Reddit, Cuerpo said it did not appear to be a foolproof solution he would recommend.
“When a lithium battery catches fire, it can burn in excess of 1,800 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s really, really hot, and that burns very, very quickly,” he said.
Another major concern is the release of toxic, flammable gases during a battery fire. A homemade solution that’s not airtight could increase the risk that dangerous fumes escape into an enclosed space.
Eric Stahl’s e-bike battery inside his cinderblocks, and then capped with another block that he hopes would at least slow the spread of any potential fire. (Photos courtesy of Eric Stahl)
Stahl said his main goal was to prevent a fire from spreading to his house.
“I have it in my garage with a smoke detector above it, so if I’m home, I’ll hear the detector, see/smell the smoke and open the garage door if needed. If I’m not home I’m less worried about the fumes,” he said.
Even when flames appear to be out, the danger may not be over, Cuerpo cautioned. Seattle firefighters have encountered batteries that reignited hours or days after an initial fire, as undamaged cells continued to heat up.
Cuerpo recommends storing lithium-ion batteries in a cool, dry location out of direct sunlight, ideally in a garage and away from combustible materials. Commercial storage containers designed specifically for lithium-ion batteries are the safest option, though he acknowledged they can be expensive. A number of fire-retardant battery bags and certified fire-resistant storage boxes — some tested to independent safety standards — are sold online and through specialty retailers.
Cuerpo also urged riders to use manufacturer-approved chargers or equipment tested by independent certification agencies.
Batteries should be checked at least once a month for warning signs such as swelling, cracks, unusual heat, residue, or odors. Damaged batteries should never be thrown in the trash, where they can ignite fires when crushed in compactors or garbage trucks. In Seattle, residents can dispose of lithium-ion batteries at hazardous waste facilities operated by Seattle Public Utilities.
Rad provides battery safety guidance on its website, advising riders how to store batteries, to follow recommended charging practices, and to consult its battery guide and owner’s manuals for proper handling.
Stahl, who said his Rad battery model number showed up on the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s warning list, is careful about how he handles his device.
“It’s not good to drop them or get them soaking wet, but mine has been on my bike the whole time I’ve had it,” he said. “If it was cracked or bulging I would definitely get rid of it.”
He’s eager for someone to actually test his cinderblock solution with a real (safely monitored) battery fire, and maybe post their findings in a video on YouTube.
“There is so much bad information on the internet about this stuff. I just want truth-seeking,” Stahl said. “It would be a huge public service for someone to test it — and if it works, get the word out.”
A Rad Power Bikes e-bike rider in Vancouver, B.C. (Rad Power Bikes Photo)
Rad Power Bikes is shutting down retail stores in Vancouver, B.C., and St. Petersburg, Fla., on Friday as the embattled electric bike manufacturer deals with its ongoing bankruptcy proceedings.
The Seattle-based company confirmed to GeekWire that seven stores will remain open: Seattle; Berkeley, Huntington Beach, Santa Barbara, and San Diego, Calif.; Denver; and Salt Lake City.
A post on Reddit said customers were notified of the closure in Vancouver via a recent email from Rad. The store first opened in October 2020, according to the company.
“The end of an era,” one Redditor commented. “It was always nice to know if you had any issues with your bike, there was a shop to take it [to]. The staff there were incredibly nice and always on the ball. Wish them all the best.”
“I’m sad to see it go,” said another. “Customer service at the Vancouver location was a selling point for me buying a Rad. Best wishes for all of the staff!”
In a letter to employees about its struggles, Rad said that in the event the company was forced to close, it would be required to cease operations on Jan. 9, or within 14 days thereafter. A filing with the Washington state Employment Security Department at the time said a shutdown would impact 64 jobs.
The company previously said it’s been working to find a buyer to keep the popular brand alive.
Launched as a direct-to-consumer brand in 2015, Rad saw big demand amid the pandemic as more people bought e-bikes. Its sales and workforce surged and it raised more than $300 million from investors in 2021. The company was valued at $1.65 billion that year, according to PitchBook.
But a series of missteps and macroeconomic challenges led to more than seven rounds of layoffs and a remarkable downfall for the company which billed itself as the largest seller of e-bikes in North America.
Rad Power Bikes has a new CEO as the Seattle-based electric bike manufacturer navigates Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
Angelina “Angy” Smith, who has been chief financial officer at the company since April, assumed the leadership position earlier this month, becoming Rad’s fourth CEO in three years.
Smith previously held CFO and other finance roles at a number of companies, including TrovaTrip, Athena Consumer Acquisition Corp., Thrive Causemetics, glassybaby, Mixpo, Razorfish and aQuantive. She was vice president of finance at Zulily for almost five years.
Smith replaces Kathi Lentzsch, who took over the CEO role in March. Lentzsch previously ran Bartell Drugs as CEO before the company sold to Rite-Aid in 2020.
Lentzsch replaced Phil Molyneux, the former Sony president who stepped down earlier this year after leading Rad for more than two years. Rad founder Mike Radenbaugh led the company until stepping down in 2022.
Rad filed for bankruptcy protection earlier this month even as the company said it was still working toward a sale that would keep the popular brand alive.
Conceived in 2007 and launched as a direct-to-consumer brand in 2015, Rad Power Bikes rose to become a leading seller of e-bikes in North America, employing hundreds and raising more than $329 million. But after the pandemic-era sales boom dropped off, the company was hit by layoffs and economic headwinds, including tariffs.
Rad announced in November that it was facing “significant financial challenges” and in danger of shutting down in January.
In its bankruptcy filing, Rad reported total liabilities of nearly $73 million, more than double its assets of $32 million. The filing also revealed a steady drop in gross revenue — from $129.8 million in 2023 to $103.8 million in 2024, and $63.3 million so far this year.
Rad Power Bikes was valued at $1.65 billion in 2021 as e-bike popularity surged. (Rad Power Bikes Photo)
In a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition filed this week by Rad Power Bikes, the Seattle-based electric bike maker lists creditors holding the 20 largest unsecured claims against the company.
At the top of the list? Not a major supplier, or partner, but U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is owed more than $8.3 million by Rad for tariffs, according to the filing. The claim is one of several listed as “disputed” by the company.
The situation underscores the financial strain facing Rad and the broader e-bike industry after rapid growth during the COVID-19 pandemic gave way to slowing demand, rising costs and lingering trade pressures.
A Rad spokesperson said Wednesday that the company is not able to comment on specific line items in its filing. In a November letter to employees warning that the company could shut down as early as January, Rad cited “significant financial challenges, including in the form of tariffs and the macroeconomic landscape.”
Tariffs have drawn increasing scrutiny from the e-bike industry. A recent report by The Washington Post, examined how import duties under both the Biden and Trump administrations sent expenses spiraling for Rad and other bike companies that rely on Asian manufacturing.
Tariffs are “stressing U.S.-based companies, in some cases past the breaking point, while not seeming to have much effect on foreign marketplace sellers who are doing business as usual,” Matt Moore, policy and general counsel of the trade group PeopleForBikes, told the Post.
PeopleForBikes said in October that lagging bike sales and consumer pullback were being exacerbated by tariff concerns.
Rad launched in 2015 with a direct-to-consumer model and sub-$2,000 e-bikes aimed at casual riders. Demand surged during the pandemic, climbing nearly 300%, and in 2021 the company raised more than $300 million, reaching a valuation of $1.65 billion and branding itself as North America’s largest e-bike seller.
That momentum faded in 2022 as demand cooled. In its letter to employees last month, Rad said it did not anticipate “the sudden drop in consumer demand from COVID-era peaks,” leaving the company with excess inventory.
In its bankruptcy filing this week, Rad revealed a steady drop in gross revenue — from $129.8 million in 2023 to $103.8 million in 2024, and $63.3 million so far this year. The company reported total liabilities of nearly $73 million, more than double its assets of $32 million.
Ed Benjamin, chairman of the Light Electric Vehicle Association, told the Post that tariffs created “confusion and chaos” across the industry, making future purchasing decisions difficult amid uncertainty over costs.
The Post detailed why the Biden administration allowed an exemption for e-bikes from tariffs on Chinese imports — first imposed in 2018 — to expire last year. The e-bike industry’s average tariffs have risen from about 11% to between 20% and 55%, according to PeopleForBikes.
Several industry publications have warned that layered trade policies — including China-focused tariffs, battery duties and steel restrictions — are raising prices and squeezing manufacturers. Numerous e-bike companies, including E-Cells, Kent International, Fuell, Juiced, and Electric Bike Company, have cited tariffs as a factor in shutdowns or bankruptcies.
“There’s no coherent strategy here, just a patchwork of protectionist measures that hurt importers, confuse dealers, and raise prices for consumers,” EV news website Electrek wrote. “If the U.S. wants to promote micromobility and clean transportation, it’s going to need smarter policies than this.”
A day after Rad filed for bankruptcy protection this week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said it has collected more than $200 billion in tariffs under more than 40 executive orders issued during the Trump administration.
“This figure underscores CBP’s effectiveness in promoting secure, fair, and compliant trade,” the agency said.
The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether Trump exceeded his authority in imposing the tariffs. Costco and dozens of other companies have filed lawsuits seeking refunds if the court rules the duties unlawful.
Seattle-based Rad Power Bikes makes a variety of electric bicycle styles. (Rad Power Bikes Photo)
Rad Power Bikes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection even as the Seattle-based company said it’s working toward a sale to keep the popular electric bike brand alive.
In a bankruptcy petition, filed Monday in federal court in Spokane, the company reported total liabilities of nearly $73 million, more than double its assets of $32 million. The filing also revealed a steady drop in gross revenue — from $129.8 million in 2023 to $103.8 million in 2024, and $63.3 million so far this year.
The filing comes three weeks after the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a warning to consumers to stop using some of the Seattle-based company’s bikes because of danger posed by their lithium-ion batteries.
It follows the revelation, in early November, that the once hard-charging startup was fighting for survival as it faced “significant financial challenges.”
A Rad spokesperson said in a statement provided to GeekWire on Tuesday that the company was navigating an extraordinary period of challenge and change.
“As we work to secure a sustainable future for the Rad brand, Rad has filed for Chapter 11 protection as part of a process to complete a sale of the company within the next 45–60 days,” the statement said. “This step allows us to keep operating in the ordinary course of business while we pursue the best possible outcome for the people who rely on Rad every day.”
Rad said its goal is to keep the company intact and preserve relationships it has built with riders, vendors, suppliers, and partners.
Rad previously filed notice with the Washington state Employment Security Department in which it said the company could shut down as early as January, and that 64 jobs would be impacted.
The bankruptcy filing shows that the company remains primarily controlled by its founder, Mike Radenbaugh, who holds the largest individual stake, more than 41%.
Institutional investors hold significant minority positions, including VCVC V LLC (6.55%), an investment vehicle associated with Cercano Management, and Durable Capital Master Fund LP (5.79%). Co-founder Ty Collins retains a 4.23% stake.
The company’s largest unsecured debts include nearly $8.4 million owed to U.S. Customs and Border Protection for tariffs, and more than $8 million to overseas manufacturers. Insurance companies and individuals seeking to recover payouts related to Rad bikes are owed about $4.3 million, and two people are each owed $1 million for damages, likely from lawsuits.
Rad Power Bikes founder Mike Radenbaugh, left, and co-founder Ty Collins arrive at the GeekWire Awards in 2019. They won “Young Entrepreneur of the Year” honors that year. (GeekWire File Photo / Kurt Schlosser)
Rad was conceived in 2007 by Radenbaugh and Collins, who met as students at Humboldt State University in Northern California and built their first e-bike together. After years of doing custom conversions of traditional bikes to electric, they launched their company as a direct-to-consumer brand in 2015.
Rad saw big demand amid the pandemic as more people bought e-bikes. Its sales and workforce surged and it raised more than $300 million from investors in 2021. The company was valued at $1.65 billion that year, according to PitchBook, making it one of a handful of “unicorn” startups in the Seattle region at the time.
Rad operates out of a headquarters and flagship retail location on NW 52nd Street in Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood.
The company is currently led by CEO Kathi Lentzsch, who previously ran Bartell Drugs as CEO before the company sold to Rite-Aid in 2020. She also led companies including Gump’s and Elephant Pharmacy, and held exec roles at Enesco, Pottery Barn and World Market.
Lentzsch replaced Phil Molyneux, the former Sony president who stepped down earlier this year after leading Rad for more than two years.
The CPSC’s Nov. 24 product safety warning, which listed a variety of Rad bikes and battery models, urged consumers to immediately remove and dispose of hazardous batteries that “can unexpectedly ignite and explode, posing a fire hazard to consumers, especially when the battery or the harness has been exposed to water and debris.”
Rad disputed the CPSC’s findings, saying at the time that the company “firmly stands behind our batteries and our reputation as leaders in the e-bike industry, and strongly disagrees with the CPSC’s characterization of certain Rad batteries as defective or unsafe.”
Rad said the significant cost of CPSC’s all-or-nothing recall demand would force Rad to shut down immediately with no way to support its riders or employees.
On Tuesday, Rad said it was “not giving up” and that it was “focused on doing everything we can to strengthen the future of the Rad brand.”
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