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Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Rad Power Bikes has been sold to Life Electric Vehicles Holdings for a reported $13.2 million after a bankruptcy auction attracted five bidders. Life EV’s bid beat a $13 million backup offer from Retrospec, through Xander Bicycle Corp., and the court-approved acquisition closed on March 5, 2026.
The sale keeps the Rad Power Bikes brand operating in the United States, but it was an asset transaction—not simply a continuation of the old company with every debt, warranty, gift card, and employee obligation intact. Life EV acquired the brand, intellectual property, inventory, and selected operating assets and has outlined plans for stores, staffing, U.S. assembly, and customer support.
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What happened to Rad Power Bikes?
Rad Power Bikes entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in December 2025 after a prolonged decline in revenue, layoffs, supply-chain and tariff pressure, and product-safety problems. The company’s assets then went through a bankruptcy auction on January 22, 2026.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Five bidders participated. Life Electric Vehicles Holdings, a Florida-based electric-mobility company, won with a $13.2 million bid. Retrospec, through Xander Bicycle Corp., submitted a $13 million backup bid. Life EV’s proposal had a reported total value of $14.9 million after accounting for liabilities it agreed to assume.
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- 1000 W Motor & Upgraded Display: The EB5 electric bike equipped with a 1000 W peak motor, boosted a top speed of 20 MPH. The display panel has adjustable backlight brightness from 1-5 levels. In addition, the upgraded LCD Display provides riding data support, such as ODO/MAX/AVG SPEED, PAS mode can be customized up to 3 modes
- Removable Large Battery: The EB5 e-bike is equipped with a 360Wh battery, which covers a range of up to 25-40 miles per charge for 5-6 hours so that it can meet travel or daily commute needs. Removable battery makes charging more convenient whether you are at home or in the office
- 4 Working Modes: PAS mode will assist you with a moderate amount of power as you pedal the bike, kick in 1-3 levels of pedal assist to suit your needs. In pure electric mode, you can twist the throttle in any increments of power you desire. Pedal mode allows the rider to pedal as an ordinary bike. Booster mode will help you push your EB5 at 4.5-7.5 km/h when uphill, which will save you a lot of efforts
- Riding Comfortably and Handily: The 26" puncture resistant tires are for greater durability. A high-strength front fork suspension, 7-speed gears, dual lights, LCD display, front and rear mechanical disc brakes can bring your riding more comforts, make your e-bike adapted to complex terrains and keep you safe
- Minimalist Appearance & Lightweight Frame: A highly efficient, city style affordable electric bicycle offering minimalist and sleek appearance and only weighs 49.6 lbs. The triangular high-carbon steel frame provides more stability
The auction result was not immediately the closing of the transaction. The bid still required approval from the bankruptcy court. Life EV announced on March 5, 2026, that it had completed the court-approved acquisition of the Rad Power Bikes brand, intellectual property, inventory, and certain operating assets.
That distinction matters: Life EV bought a package of assets rather than simply taking over the old Rad corporate entity without interruption. Rad continues to operate under its brand in the United States, but customers, creditors, employees, and vendors should not assume that every obligation of the pre-bankruptcy company transferred automatically.
Rad Power Bikes sale: the key dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| December 2025 | Rad Power Bikes files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. |
| January 22, 2026 | A bankruptcy auction draws five bidders. The opening bid is reported at $8 million, and Life EV ultimately wins with a $13.2 million bid. |
| January 26, 2026 | Rad reports a successful bid and a backup bid, but the sale remains subject to bankruptcy-court approval. |
| March 5, 2026 | Life EV announces that it has completed the court-approved acquisition. |
| March 6, 2026 | Life EV CEO Robert Provost discusses plans for stores, staffing, U.S. assembly, and battery support in an interview. |
Why did Rad Power Bikes go bankrupt?
Rad’s financial position deteriorated sharply after the extraordinary pandemic-era surge in demand for bicycles and e-bikes faded. The company raised more than $300 million from investors; TechCrunch reported a figure of nearly $330 million, while GeekWire described Rad as having once been valued at approximately $1.65 billion.
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That scale did not hold. GeekWire reported that Rad’s gross revenue fell from $129.8 million in 2023 to $103.8 million in 2024 and then to $63.3 million during the first part of 2025. The bankruptcy filing listed approximately $73 million in liabilities against about $32 million in assets.
The decline occurred alongside layoffs, supply-chain difficulties, tariff pressure, and challenges connected with battery safety. Those pressures made it harder for the direct-to-consumer company to support its previous cost structure and retail ambitions as demand normalized.
The $13.2 million auction bid therefore represents the value of a distressed asset package in a bankruptcy proceeding. It should not be compared directly with Rad’s former venture-backed valuation as though the two figures measured the same thing. The earlier valuation reflected an investment view of the entire growth company; the auction bid covered specific assets and selected assumed obligations after the company’s financial problems had become public.
What did Life EV actually buy?
The reported transaction covered the Rad Power Bikes brand and intellectual property, along with inventory and a range of operating assets. The package described in bankruptcy-court materials included computers and software, furniture and equipment, accounts receivable, and other assets used in the business.
Life EV also agreed to assume specified contracts, leases, warranty claims, and other liabilities identified in the transaction documents. The word specified is important. An asset purchase does not necessarily transfer every debt, contract, claim, employee obligation, warranty, or gift-card liability belonging to the old company.
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- 【Excellent Motor Performance】This electric bike is equipped with a high-performance 749W motor(2000W peak) with 2 to 3 speed settings, capable of meeting your daily commuting and off-road riding needs—so you never have to worry about speed
- 【Upgraded Removable Battery】 Powered by a 48V 15Ah removable battery, the ebike can be fully charged in just 6-7 hours and can ride up to 60 miles on a full charge (PAS mode). Depending on weight, the electric dirt bike can ride up to 40 miles in throttle mode and 50-60 miles in PAS mode, making long rides less of a challenge with its impressive range. The removable battery is safe and anti-theft, so you can charge it at home or outdoors without worry
- 【Comfortable Riding Experience】 This fat tire electric bike is equipped with front and rear suspension system, which absorbs most of the bumps and vibrations during riding, providing a more comfortable riding experience and reducing body fatigue.20"x 4" puncture-proof snow tires for electric motorcycle provide a stronger grip, ensuring the vehicle's stability and easily handle any adventure
- 【Safety First】 The electric bike for adults high-brightness front light greatly improves driving visibility, allowing you to see the road clearly even at night. The front and rear mechanical disc brakes are designed to provide controlled braking under normal operating conditions. Riders must inspect and adjust the brakes before the first ride and before each subsequent ride
- 【Personalized Riding】 This ebikes for adults is equipped with professional 7-speed gears and 3 working modes, which can be changed according to different terrains, and can easily pass through city streets, rugged mountains and beaches. The LCD display allows you to easily keep track of your ride data, such as current speed, distance and battery level, so you can customize a ride based on this information
Life EV said it intended to support existing customers, including concerns involving warranties and gift cards. TechCrunch reported that the company planned to honor certain warranties and gift cards according to the asset-purchase terms. That is narrower than a blanket guarantee that every pre-bankruptcy warranty or gift card will be treated exactly as it was before the filing.
Who owns Rad Power Bikes now?
Life Electric Vehicles Holdings is the new owner of the acquired Rad assets. The post-acquisition operating entity identified in Rad’s current U.S. consumer terms is Rad Life Mobility, Inc., a Nevada corporation. Those terms identify Rad Life Mobility as the seller for U.S. Rad-branded e-bikes and accessories.
Rad’s current U.S. website is operating under the new ownership and continues to list Rad-branded products, including the RadRunner, RadWagon 5, and RadRunner Max. The brand has therefore not disappeared from the market, although its post-bankruptcy business is a new ownership and operating arrangement rather than a seamless continuation of the old corporate structure.
The company says it has partnered with more than 500 local bike shops and has a network of 1,400 authorized service providers. Those figures are current company claims, not independently audited totals, but they indicate the new owner’s intended emphasis on local retail and service rather than relying exclusively on Rad’s former direct-to-consumer model.
What does Life EV plan to change?
Life EV has described several changes intended to make Rad more operationally resilient:
- U.S.-based assembly: Life EV says it plans to use affiliated manufacturing and supply-chain capabilities to move Rad toward U.S. assembly through a Foreign Trade Zone structure.
- More retail locations: Provost said seven Rad stores would remain open in the United States and that the company hoped to open stores in at least 24 additional key U.S. markets.
- Employee rehiring: Provost said offers had been extended to 95% of employees laid off during the bankruptcy process.
- Expanded support: The company said it wanted to keep the business intact and improve retail, service, warranty, and customer support.
These are plans and management statements, not completed milestones. The available reporting does not establish that all 24 planned stores opened, that every employee who received an offer returned, or that the full U.S.-assembly strategy was already operating at scale. The proposed Foreign Trade Zone approach is intended to combine component sourcing, assembly, quality control, inventory management, and distribution, but the acquisition announcement alone does not prove that those improvements have been delivered.
What should existing Rad owners know?
The acquisition is positive news for owners who were worried that Rad’s brand, parts supply, or service network would vanish. The current website, product listings, dealer relationships, and service-provider claims show that the new owner is actively operating the brand in the United States.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsIt is not, however, a reason to assume that every ownership issue has been resolved automatically. Before relying on a warranty, gift card, service promise, or older support policy, owners should check the current Rad Life Mobility terms and obtain confirmation from the current company. Keep purchase records, serial numbers, receipts, warranty correspondence, and gift-card documentation.
Rank #3
- 1000W Motor & Upgraded Display: The EB5 electric bike equipped with a 1000 W peak motor, boosted a top speed of 20 MPH. The display panel has adjustable backlight brightness from 1-5 levels. In addition, the upgraded LCD Display provides riding data support, such as ODO/MAX/AVG SPEED, PAS mode can be customized up to 3 modes
- Removable Large Battery: The EB5 e-bike is equipped with a 360 Wh battery, which covers a range of up to 25-40 miles per charge for 5-6 hours so that it can meet travel or daily commute needs. Removable battery makes charging more convenient whether you are at home or in the office
- 4 Working Modes: PAS mode will assist you with a moderate amount of power as you pedal the bike, kick in 1-3 levels of pedal assist to suit your needs. In pure electric mode, you can twist the throttle in any increments of power you desire. Pedal mode allows the rider to pedal as an ordinary bike. Booster mode will help you push your EB5 at 4.5-7.5 km/h when uphill, which will save you a lot of efforts
- Riding Comfortably and Handily: The 26" puncture resistant tires are for greater durability. A high-strength front fork suspension, 7-speed gears, dual lights, LCD display, front and rear mechanical disc brakes can bring your riding more comforts, make your e-bike adapted to complex terrains and keep you safe
- Minimalist Appearance & Lightweight Frame: A highly efficient, city style affordable electric bicycle offering minimalist and sleek appearance and only weighs 49.6 lbs. The triangular high-carbon steel frame provides more stability
Owners should also separate the business question from the battery-safety question. The acquisition did not erase the Consumer Product Safety Commission’s November 24, 2025 warning concerning specific Rad lithium-ion batteries.
Important battery-safety warning: check the battery label
The CPSC reported that these batteries could unexpectedly ignite or explode, particularly when the battery or its harness had been exposed to water and debris. The agency reported 31 fire incidents, including 12 that caused property damage totaling approximately $734,500.
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The affected batteries were sold with or as replacements for several Rad models, including:
- RadWagon 4
- RadCity HS 4
- RadRover High Step 5
- RadCity Step Thru 3
- RadRover Step Thru 1
- RadRunner 1
- RadRunner 2
- RadRunner Plus
- RadExpand 5
Do not identify the battery only by the bike’s model name. Check the model number printed on the battery itself and follow the current official instructions. The CPSC says affected batteries should not be sold or given away. They should be removed and taken through an appropriate household-hazardous-waste disposal channel, not placed in ordinary trash or curbside recycling.
The CPSC warning distinguishes the listed batteries from Rad’s Safe Shield and semi-integrated batteries. That distinction does not mean that owners should infer safety from a bike model, appearance, or a seller’s description. Verify the battery label and use the official guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is Rad’s battery-upgrade program a solution?
Rad’s current battery-upgrade page advertises Safe Shield battery products and a compatibility filter for current and legacy models. The program says eligible customers receive a 50% discount code, preorders are open, and shipping charges may apply.
The program may provide a replacement or upgrade path for eligible customers, but it is not a universal remedy for every battery covered by the CPSC warning. Rad requires customers to verify compatibility because batteries are not interchangeable across all Rad models. Owners of a battery specifically identified by the CPSC should first follow the stop-use and disposal instructions; they should not continue riding while waiting for an upgrade or assume that any replacement battery will fit safely.
Rank #4
- Powerful 750W Peak Motor & 20MPH Speed – This Electric Bike is equipped with a high-torque 750W Peak motor, delivering rapid acceleration and a top speed of 20MPH. Whether you're commuting in the city or enjoying a leisurely ride, this E-Bike ensures a smooth and efficient journey
- Removable 48V 10Ah Battery – Featuring a long-lasting 48V 10Ah removable lithium battery, this Electric Bicycle offers extended ride time and convenient charging. Easily detach the battery for indoor charging and enjoy worry-free travel with reliable power.
- Pedal Assist & Dual Disc Brakes – Customize your ride with pedal assist, allowing you to switch between full electric, assisted pedaling, and manual cycling. The dual disc brakes provide responsive stopping power for enhanced safety in various riding conditions.
- Compact & Foldable Design – This Foldable E-Bike is designed for urban commuters and travelers. Its quick-folding frame makes it easy to store in your car trunk, carry on public transportation, or tuck away in small spaces—perfect for daily commuting and city rides.
- Durable 14" Wheels & Comfortable Ride – The 14-inch wheels offer stability and smooth handling, while the sturdy frame ensures durability. Whether you're navigating city streets or paved paths, this Folding Electric Bike provides a comfortable and reliable riding experience.
Rad also identifies Redwood Materials as a battery-recycling partner and directs riders to participating RadRetail stores for battery drop-off. That recycling option should not be substituted for the CPSC’s hazardous-battery instructions when dealing with a battery covered by the fire warning. Confirm acceptance and handling instructions before transporting a damaged, recalled, or potentially hazardous battery.
What the $13.2 million sale means
For consumers, the most immediate takeaway is that Rad Power Bikes remains an operating brand under Life EV rather than shutting down after bankruptcy. The new owner has retained the brand, inventory, intellectual property, and selected operating assets and says it wants to preserve retail operations while rebuilding service and supply-chain capacity.
For the e-bike industry, the sale is also a sharp illustration of how far Rad’s financial position fell from its pandemic-era peak. A company once associated with a roughly $1.65 billion valuation and hundreds of millions of dollars in venture funding changed hands through a distressed auction whose winning bid was $13.2 million.
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The transaction gives Rad a chance to continue, but it does not remove the work required to restore customer confidence. Life EV still has to execute its store, staffing, assembly, warranty-support, and battery-service plans while dealing with the liabilities and safety concerns that contributed to the bankruptcy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who bought Rad Power Bikes?
Life Electric Vehicles Holdings, a Florida-based electric-mobility company, bought the acquired Rad Power Bikes assets. The post-acquisition U.S. operating entity identified in Rad’s current consumer terms is Rad Life Mobility, Inc., a Nevada corporation.
How much did Rad Power Bikes sell for?
Life EV’s winning bid was $13.2 million. Its proposal had a reported total value of $14.9 million after accounting for specified liabilities it agreed to assume. Retrospec, through Xander Bicycle Corp., submitted the $13 million backup bid.
Is Rad Power Bikes still in business?
Yes. Life EV said it completed the court-approved acquisition on March 5, 2026. Rad continues to operate under the Rad Power Bikes brand in the United States, although the transaction was an asset purchase rather than an uninterrupted continuation of the former corporate entity.
Will Rad Power Bikes honor old warranties and gift cards?
Do not assume that every old warranty or gift card transferred automatically. Life EV said it would support certain warranties and gift cards according to the asset-purchase terms. Check the current Rad Life Mobility terms and contact the current company with your purchase records before relying on coverage.
Which Rad batteries are covered by the CPSC fire warning?
Immediately stop using batteries marked RP-1304, RAD-S1304Y, or HL-RP-S1304. The CPSC says to remove them, not sell or give them away, and arrange disposal through an appropriate household-hazardous-waste channel rather than ordinary trash or curbside recycling. Check the battery label instead of relying only on the bike model.
The Bottom Line
Bottom line: Life EV completed its court-approved $13.2 million acquisition of Rad Power Bikes on March 5, 2026, after winning a five-bidder bankruptcy auction. Rad continues under the brand name through Rad Life Mobility, but this was an asset purchase with selected assumed obligations—not an automatic transfer of every old-company liability. Existing owners should verify current warranty and gift-card terms and, most importantly, immediately check whether their battery is one of the three models covered by the CPSC fire warning.
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