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Status and safety notice (updated October 6, 2026)
Rad Power Bikes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on December 15, 2025, and the brand now belongs to Life Electric Vehicles of Florida. Check the model number on the battery before you ride, buy or accept a used Rad.
Bicycle Retailer reported about $32.1 million in assets against $72.8 million in liabilities. The largest creditor was U.S. Customs and Border Protection, owed roughly $8.36 million in tariffs. Rad had told Washington State officials in early November 2025 that it might lay off 64 workers.
The CPSC battery warning
On November 24, 2025, the Consumer Product Safety Commission told owners to stop using Rad batteries with model numbers RP-1304, RAD-S1304Y and HL-RP-S1304. The agency counted 31 fire reports, 12 of them with property damage of about $734,500. Read the CPSC notice for the full list.
Those packs shipped with the RadWagon 4, RadRunner 1, RadRunner 2, RadRunner Plus, RadCity 3 and 4, RadRover 5 and RadExpand 5. Replacement packs sold on their own are covered too.
Rad did not agree to a recall. The company said it could not afford replacement batteries or refunds. The CPSC says to remove the battery, take it to household hazardous waste, and never sell or give it away.
Who owns Rad now
Life EV was the top bidder at a January 2026 auction, paying about $13.3 million in cash. Electrek and Bicycle Retailer report the sale closed in early March 2026.
Life EV says it will honor certain warranties and gift cards under the asset purchase agreement. It also plans to move assembly to the U.S. The reports we found do not spell out which warranties count. Ask before you assume yours does.
Is the RadWagon 5 battery in the warning?
The CPSC notice does not name the RadWagon 5. That bike uses the newer SafeShield pack, a 720 Wh battery that Electric Bike Review lists as UL 2271 certified.
Rad also offered SafeShield upgrades at a discount to owners of flagged packs during the investigation, per Seattle Bike Blog. The CPSC judged that offer too thin to count as a recall. A warning that skips a battery is not a safety guarantee, so read the label anyway.
If you already own a Rad
Start with the label on the back of the battery. Compare the printed model number with the three in the CPSC notice. If it matches, stop charging and riding on that pack.
Keep these steps in order:
- Take the pack off the bike and store it away from anything flammable, ideally outside.
- Do not charge it, sell it or give it away.
- Take it to your local household hazardous waste program.
- Ask Rad about a SafeShield replacement, and get any offer in writing.
For warranty questions, contact Rad through radpowerbikes.com. Life EV only committed to certain warranties, so a bike bought before the bankruptcy may or may not be covered.
Parts are easier. The RadWagon 5, for example, uses Tektro hydraulic disc brakes and a Shimano Altus drivetrain, which any bike shop can service. Look for a shop that works on hub-motor e-bikes and ask whether they will take a Rad.
We do not recommend third-party packs sold as Rad-compatible. A mismatched pack and charger is how fires start. Buy batteries from Rad or an authorized dealer only.
For a wider look at which brands to be careful with, see our guide to e-bike brands to avoid. Our brand picks by rider type cover the safer options. The e-bike battery guide explains what the cell and certification labels mean.
Rad models compared
Lineups and prices moved fast during the sale, so third-party guides disagree on what Rad still sells. EbikeGearLab’s 2026 guide describes the RadRover as outside Rad’s core lineup, while other trackers still list it. Confirm on radpowerbikes.com before you order.
| Model | Motor | Battery | Payload | Weight | In CPSC notice? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RadWagon 5 | 750W, 90 Nm | 720 Wh SafeShield | 375 lb total, 120 lb rack | 86 lb | Not named |
| RadWagon 4 | 750W | Older pack | Check Rad | Check Rad | Yes, if the label matches |
| RadRunner (base) | 750W, cadence sensor | 624 Wh | Check Rad | 65 lb | RadRunner 1 and 2 are named |
| RadRunner Max | 750W, 90 Nm | 672 Wh | 420 lb | 82 lb | Not named |
| RadRunner 3 Plus | 750W | Check Rad | 350 lb | Check Rad | Not named |
| RadRover 6 Plus | 750W | 672 Wh | 275 lb | 73.4 lb | Not named (RadRover 5 is) |
| RadCity 5 Plus | 750W geared hub | Semi-integrated pack | Check Rad | About 65 lb | Not named (RadCity 3 and 4 are) |
| Radster Road | 750W, 100 Nm | 720 Wh | Check Rad | About 74.5 lb | Not named |
Sources: Rad’s RadRover 6 Plus page, Rad’s RadRunner 3 Plus launch release, Electric Bike Review’s RadCity 5 Plus page and the EbikeGearLab guide above. “Not named” means the CPSC list skips it. Look at the label anyway.
RadWagon 5 (cargo)
The RadWagon 5 is the family hauler. It carries 375 lb in total, with 120 lb allowed on the rear rack. Brakes are Tektro hydraulic discs with 180 mm rotors, as covered in Electric Bike Review. Our guide to how e-bike disc brakes work explains why that matters on an 86 lb bike.
EbikeGearLab lists it between $2,199 and $2,399 in 2026, depending on configuration. It suits families who want one bike to replace a second car, and who will pay for a shop to look after it.
The catch is weight and support. At 86 lb it is hard to lift onto a rack, and warranty terms depend on Life EV. Compare it with our list of the best cargo e-bikes before you commit.
Is a throttle legal?
Reviewers describe the RadWagon 5 as a Class 2 bike (throttle, 20 mph assist) that can be switched to Class 3 (28 mph pedal assist). Electric Bike Review and others report the switch.
Rules differ by state, city and trail. Many paths allow only Class 1 or limit Class 3. Our piece on throttle control and rules covers the basics. Check local rules before you change the class.
RadRunner 1, 2, Plus, Max and 3 Plus (compact utility)
The RadRunner is a short, upright utility bike that many riders use as a cargo bike. The older RadRunner 1, 2 and Plus are in the CPSC notice. Do not buy one with a flagged pack.
The base RadRunner is a lighter option at 65 lb, and EbikeGearLab lists it at $1,499. The RadRunner Max carries up to 420 lb on a 672 Wh pack. The 3 Plus has a 350 lb payload and Tektro hydraulic brakes, per Rad’s launch release.
Known limits: the base model uses a cadence sensor, which feels less natural than a torque sensor, and it is the lightest of the line.
RadRover 6 Plus (fat tire)
The RadRover 6 Plus is the fat-tire all-rounder. Rad’s page lists a 672 Wh semi-integrated battery, hydraulic discs, a 275 lb payload and a weight of 73.4 lb. Third-party trackers list it around $1,999, though sale prices were common in 2025.
It fits riders on gravel, sand or snow. Its limit is payload. At 275 lb, it carries less than any RadRunner or the RadWagon. The older RadRover 5 and Step-Thru 1 are on the CPSC list. For other fat-tire picks, see our folding fat-tire e-bikes.
RadCity 5 Plus (commuter)
The RadCity 5 Plus is a 750W commuter with hydraulic discs and a semi-integrated battery. EbikeGearLab-style trackers list it near $1,999. It suits flat-city riders who want a normal-looking bike. The RadCity 3 and 4 are flagged, so avoid used ones with the old pack.
Radster (road and trail)
The Radster is Rad’s speed-leaning line. EbikeGearLab lists the Road at $1,999 with a 720 Wh pack and the Trail at $1,749. It is aimed at riders who want a motorbike-style e-bike. Check the weight on Rad’s Radster page, since it is heavier than the RadCity.
Should you buy a Rad now?
New bike
- Ask which warranty applies and who honors it. Get the answer in writing.
- Confirm the battery is the SafeShield type and not a flagged model number.
- Ask where service and parts come from in your area, and whether an independent shop will work on it.
- Pay by credit card, so you have a dispute option if the order falls through.
Clearance bike
- Old stock may carry a pack from before the warning. Read the label before you pay.
- A deep discount only makes sense if the battery is clean and a shop will service it.
- Do not buy a bike with a flagged pack at any price. The CPSC says to stop using them.
Used bike
- Ask for a photo of the battery label before you drive over.
- Walk away from RP-1304, RAD-S1304Y or HL-RP-S1304.
- Check the pack for swelling, heat or a burnt smell when charging.
- Assume there is no warranty, and price the bike accordingly.
Alternatives by use case
Cargo: Lectric XPedition
Lectric lists the XPedition 2.0 from $1,399 with a 48V, 13Ah (624 Wh) battery. Its payload is 450 lb. Dual-battery versions go to 1,248 Wh and 1,680 Wh, according to Lectric’s site. It is the closest price match to a RadWagon with a company that is not in bankruptcy.
Fat tire: Lectric XPeak
The XPeak 2.0 has 4-inch fat tires and an 80 mm fork. Lectric lists a 720 Wh pack, UL 2271 certification, a 28 mph top speed and a 330 lb limit. Prices on Lectric’s site in early October 2026 started around $1,499.
Compact commuter: Lectric XP
The folding XP4 starts at $999 with a 500W motor and a 500 Wh pack, per Lectric. A 750W version with an 840 Wh pack lists at $1,299. It is the easy choice for tight storage and short commutes.
Dealer option: Tern GSD
If you want a shop behind the bike, look at the Tern GSD Gen 3. It uses a Bosch Cargo Line motor with 85 Nm of torque. New Atlas reports a payload near 463 lb. Tern’s U.S. prices start at about $4,999 for the P10 with a 500 Wh pack.
That is more than double a RadWagon, but a local dealer handles service. Trek’s dealer-sold cargo bikes are the other route, so check which shops near you stock them.
Gear worth budgeting for alongside the bike
Whatever you buy, these three items matter on a heavy e-bike. Our helmet picks list covers the first one in more detail. Check current prices on Amazon for each.
- A helmet rated for e-bike speeds – Compare on Amazon
- A heavy-duty U-lock – Compare on Amazon
- A rear rack bag or pannier – Compare on Amazon
