"Rad Power Bikes saw its pandemic-era growth spurt blunted by import duties, overproduction and slowing demand. Now a spate of battery fires adds to its challenges."

"Rad Power Bikes is on the verge of becoming the biggest casualty yet in the nation’s struggling electric bicycle sector, which saw its pandemic-era growth spurt blunted by tariffs, overproduction and slowing demand.

The Seattle-based company recently notified Washington state officials that, barring a rescue deal, it could cease operations as soon as January. Like other domestic e-bike brands, Rad manufactures its products in Asia, with a network of U.S. shops responsible for a small amount of final assembly. But import duties under both the Biden and Trump administrations sent manufacturing expenses spiraling, the company has said, forcing it to absorb some costs and pass along others to consumers.

Now a spate of battery fires may serve up the final blow for Rad: Last month, federal safety regulators issued an advisory affecting nine e-bike models because their lithium-ion batteries could unexpectedly ignite and explode. The company insists its products are safe.

Now Rad, which has long billed itself as the biggest e-bike brand in North America, is pushing up against the same market forces that helped push such rivals as Electric Bike Co. into bankruptcy and Juiced Bikes out of business."

Aaron Gregg reports for the Washington Post December 9, 2025. [2]