Where Are Rad Power Bikes Made? Brand Overview and Model Guide

Excerpt: Rad Power Bikes is a Seattle-founded e-bike brand and one of the most widely recognised names in the North American market. Following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in December 2025, the brand was acquired by Life Electric Vehicles Holdings (Life EV) in March 2026 and continues to operate under the Rad Power Bikes name with a planned transition to US-based assembly.

Rad Power Bikes is a Seattle-based direct-to-consumer e-bike brand founded in 2007, now operating under Life EV ownership following a March 2026 acquisition, with a broad US lineup spanning utility, cargo, folding, and all-terrain models.

At a Glance

Founded: 2007, Seattle, Washington
Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
Founder: Mike Radenbaugh
Current Owner: Life Electric Vehicles Holdings (Life EV), acquired March 2026
Business Model: Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) with RadRetail stores and dealer network
Markets: US, Canada
Models: Utility, Cargo, Fat Tire, Folding, Commuter, Step-Through
Price Range: $1,299–$2,399
Riders: 650,000+ worldwide (per Rad Power Bikes about page)

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Where Are Rad Power Bikes Made?

Rad Power Bikes designs its e-bikes in Seattle, Washington. Historically, manufacturing has been carried out through third-party factories across multiple countries. According to Rad Power Bikes' own blog, bikes have been built in Taiwan, China, and Southeast Asia, with Rad owning the tooling and design rather than operating its own facilities and maintaining full-time in-country staff at overseas factories for quality control. According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, by 2021 Rad was increasingly moving production to Vietnam and Cambodia to diversify its supply chain and reduce exposure to US tariffs on Chinese-manufactured e-bikes.

Under new owner Life EV, manufacturing is transitioning. According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, Life EV plans to assemble Rad Power Bikes at its 60,000-square-foot facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, using a Foreign Trade Zone structure with components sourced globally. This transition was announced following Life EV's acquisition in March 2026 and represents a shift toward US-based assembly for the first time in the brand's history.

Rad's own Instagram account confirmed in March 2026 that a new US assembly facility is among the priorities under Life EV ownership.

Overview

Rad Power Bikes was founded in 2007 by Mike Radenbaugh, who as a teenager built his first electric bike in his parents' garage to manage a hilly 15-mile ride to school. The company grew from a one-person bike conversion business into what became the largest e-bike brand in North America by volume.

The brand pioneered the direct-to-consumer e-bike model in the US, selling online without traditional retail markups and building a large rider community around accessible pricing and a broad model range. Its crowdfunded RadRover fat-tire e-bike, launched in 2015, helped define the affordable 750W category and drove years of rapid growth.

At its peak, Rad Power Bikes had raised $329 million in total investment and claimed over 650,000 riders worldwide. The company subsequently faced financial difficulties driven by post-pandemic demand decline, management changes, and battery safety issues, and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2025.

In March 2026, Life Electric Vehicles Holdings (Life EV) acquired Rad Power Bikes for $13.2 million, taking ownership of all intellectual property, inventory, and operating assets. Life EV, a Florida-based company that also owns the Serial 1 premium e-bike brand, stated its intention to keep the brand intact, continue retail operations, honour eligible warranties, and expand the RadRetail store network from 7 to approximately 24 locations.

You can compare Rad Power Bikes models on Velo Index to evaluate specifications, motor type, battery capacity, and range alongside similar US e-bikes in the same categories.

Design and Product Line

Rad Power Bikes' range focuses on practical, utility-oriented riding across several distinct categories. The current lineup uses 750W rear hub motors across all models, with cadence or torque sensing depending on variant. Newer models use Rad's Safe Shield battery system with UL 2271 certification and thermal-resistant technology.

Folding

The RadExpand 5 Plus ($1,899) is Rad's current folding model for riders 4'10"–5'10", with a 720Wh Safe Shield Advanced external battery, 750W rear hub motor, Gemma hydraulic disc brakes, and 60+ mile claimed range at 32.89 kg. Class 1/2 only.

Utility and Cargo

The RadRunner ($1,499) is Rad's compact utility model for riders 4'11"–6'2", with a 750W rear hub motor and 624Wh UL Certified battery, 55+ mile claimed range. Gemma hydraulic brakes. The RadRunner Plus ($1,799) adds a front suspension fork, passenger seating, and the same 55+ mile range, with a 350 lb payload capacity. The RadRunner Max ($2,299) is the top-tier utility model with Class 1/2/3 compatibility, 28 mph top speed, Apple FindMy integration, digital key, and radar-based vehicle detection, with a 420 lb payload and 60+ mile claimed range.

The RadWagon 4 ($1,299, currently reduced from $1,799) is a longtail cargo model for riders 5'1"–6'4", with a 750W motor, 350 lb payload, and 45+ mile claimed range. The RadWagon ($1,799) is a current-generation cargo model for riders 5'2"–6'4" with 60+ mile claimed range and 350 lb payload. The RadWagon 5 ($2,399) is the top-tier cargo model with Class 1/2/3 compatibility, 28 mph top speed, 720Wh Safe Shield Advanced battery, 60+ mile range, and a 375 lb payload.

Commuter and All-Terrain

The Radster Road ($1,999) and Radster Trail ($1,999) share a 750W rear hub motor, 720Wh Safe Shield Advanced semi-integrated Samsung or LG battery, hydraulic disc brakes, and 65+ mile claimed range. Both are Class 1/2/3 compatible with a 28 mph top speed. The Radster Road is a commuter-oriented step-over at 33.79 kg. The Radster Trail is an off-road variant at 35.15 kg with a higher 370 lb payload rating.

Ownership Transition and Current Status

Rad Power Bikes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2025. The filing followed several years of financial pressure including post-pandemic sales decline, management changes, and a November 2025 CPSC safety warning regarding fire risks associated with two older battery models used in certain bikes.

Life EV acquired Rad Power Bikes in March 2026 for $13.2 million. Life EV CEO Rob Provost has stated publicly that approximately 95% of existing employees have been offered positions, MSRPs across the model range will remain unchanged, and the RadRetail store network will expand. The acquisition also includes Rad's portfolio of over 250 patents and 300 trademarks.

Under Life EV ownership, Rad Power Bikes posted the following commitments on its Instagram account in March 2026: honouring eligible warranties, opening new stores, tighter quality control, and a new US assembly facility.

Bikes are currently available for purchase at radpowerbikes.com and through the RadRetail store network.

Purchasing Note: Rad Power Bikes is an active, operating brand under Life EV ownership as of March 2026. Eligible warranty coverage applies to bikes purchased from December 15, 2025 onwards. For bikes purchased before that date, warranty status should be confirmed directly with Rad Power Bikes. Always verify current terms on the official website before purchasing.

Warranty, Support, and Compliance

Under Life EV ownership, Rad Power Bikes has committed to honouring eligible warranties and continuing customer support operations. Older batteries subject to the November 2025 CPSC safety warning will be addressed through a replacement programme at a 50% discount, according to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News.

Current models use Safe Shield UL 2271 certified batteries with thermal-resistant technology. All current models are UL 2849 certified.

US models are classified as Class 1, 2, or 3 depending on model and configuration.

Warranty Disclaimer: Warranty terms vary by purchase date and model. Always confirm current warranty and support terms directly at radpowerbikes.com before purchasing.

Brand Identity and Market Position

Rad Power Bikes built its market position around the principle of accessible performance: 750W motors, large-capacity batteries, and a broad utility-focused lineup at price points significantly below traditional bike shop brands. Its DTC model, established when it was among the first US e-bike brands to sell directly online, allowed it to reach a large rider base across North America.

Under Life EV, the brand's stated direction centres on US assembly, retail expansion, and quality control improvement. Life EV's experience operating the Serial 1 premium e-bike brand and its Fort Lauderdale manufacturing infrastructure provide a practical basis for the transition.

Rad Power Bikes has indicated interest in European market re-entry, having previously operated in Europe before withdrawing in 2023. According to Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, Life EV has explored working with Harley-Davidson distributors in Europe to bring a European-specification version of the product range to market, noting that US-assembled bikes could carry a certificate of US origin that avoids current EU anti-dumping tariffs on Chinese-sourced e-bikes.

Strengths

Broad and well-established US model range across utility, cargo, folding, and all-terrain categories
650,000+ rider community and strong brand recognition in North America
Safe Shield UL 2271 certified battery system across current models
RadKick Belt Drive adds a lightweight low-maintenance option to the lineup
Transitioning to US assembly under Life EV ownership
Planned RadRetail store expansion from 7 to approximately 24 locations

Considerations

Ownership and operational transition is recent (March 2026). Some aspects of service and support are still evolving
Warranty coverage for pre-bankruptcy purchases (before December 15, 2025) is limited
Heavier builds across most models relative to lightweight commuter alternatives
Cadence-based assist on some models where competitors offer torque sensing

FAQs

Where are Rad Power Bikes made? Rad Power Bikes designs its e-bikes in Seattle, Washington. Historically, manufacturing has been carried out through third-party factories in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Under new owner Life EV, assembly is transitioning to a Fort Lauderdale, Florida facility, with components sourced globally through a Foreign Trade Zone structure.

Who owns Rad Power Bikes now? Rad Power Bikes was acquired by Life Electric Vehicles Holdings (Life EV) in March 2026 for $13.2 million, following a Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing in December 2025. Life EV also owns the Serial 1 premium e-bike brand.

Who makes Rad Power Bikes? Rad Power Bikes was founded in 2007 by Mike Radenbaugh and is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It now operates as Rad Life Mobility, a subsidiary of Life Electric Vehicles Holdings, headed by President Jim Brown.

Is Rad Power Bikes still in business? Yes. Rad Power Bikes is actively operating under Life EV ownership as of March 2026. Bikes are available for purchase at radpowerbikes.com and through RadRetail stores. Life EV has committed to continuing retail operations, honouring eligible warranties, and expanding the store network.

Are Rad Power Bikes legal in the US? Yes. Current models are classified as Class 1, 2, or 3 depending on configuration, and are UL 2849 certified. All current models use Safe Shield UL 2271 certified batteries.

What happened to Rad Power Bikes? Rad Power Bikes filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2025 following post-pandemic sales decline, management changes, and financial pressure. Life EV acquired the brand in March 2026, taking on intellectual property, inventory, and operating assets, and has committed to continuing operations and expanding the brand.

What is the Safe Shield battery? Safe Shield is Rad Power Bikes' proprietary battery system featuring thermal-resistant technology. It carries UL 2271 certification and includes auto-resetting fuses and a battery management system with short-circuit protection. Current models use the Safe Shield or Safe Shield Advanced variants.

What warranty does Rad Power Bikes offer? Eligible warranties are being honoured under Life EV ownership for bikes purchased from December 15, 2025 onwards. Warranty terms for earlier purchases should be confirmed directly with Rad Power Bikes. Always verify current terms at radpowerbikes.com before purchasing.

Compare Rad Power Bikes Models on Velo Index

Rad Power Bikes models are listed across the US dataset on Velo Index. Use the E-Bike Finder to compare them against similar US models in the same categories and price ranges.

US Cargo E-Bikes Under $2,500

Compare Rad Power Bikes cargo and utility models alongside similar US options

View models

Not sure which Rad Power Bikes model fits your route and budget? The E-Bike Finder matches e-bikes to your commute distance, terrain, and budget across US, UK, and EU markets.

Social Media Pages (as of March 2026) and Official Websites

Instagram: @radpowerbikes — 137k followers

YouTube: @RadPowerBikes — 38.3k subscribers

Facebook: @RadPowerBikes — 163k followers

X: @radpowerbikes — 10.4k followers

Regional Websites:

Summary

A common question among potential buyers is: "Where are Rad Power Bikes made?" The answer is that design is based in Seattle, Washington. Manufacturing has historically been carried out through third-party factories in China, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan. Under Life EV ownership, assembly is transitioning to a Fort Lauderdale, Florida facility, making Rad Power Bikes one of the few US e-bike brands actively moving toward domestic assembly.

Rad Power Bikes remains one of the most recognised e-bike brands in North America, with a broad and established model range spanning utility, cargo, folding, and all-terrain categories from $999 to $2,399. Following the March 2026 acquisition by Life EV, the brand is actively operating, honouring eligible warranties, and expanding its retail presence.

For US riders comparing utility and cargo-oriented e-bikes, the Rad Power Bikes range is available directly at radpowerbikes.com.

Related reading: Brand Spotlight: Velotric: a California-founded DTC brand targeting the US commuter market at a similar price point. Brand Spotlight: Aventon: another major US DTC brand with a broad model range and its own factory in China.

Image Credit

Official product and lifestyle imagery credit: Rad Power Bikes.