If you purchased or rode an e-bike in the last 10 years, there’s a good chance it was a Rad Power Bike. 

The company, based in Seattle, was one of the first to popularize e-bikes with the general public, and grew to be the largest electric bike company in North America.

But now, the company is on the brink of collapse. A spokesperson told Geekwire last week that Rad faces potential closure as early as January due to “significant financial challenges.”

After virtually building the e-bike industry, and seeing demand quadruple during the pandemic, what went wrong for Rad Power Bikes?

And can they recover? 

GUEST: 
Geekwire editor Taylor Soper

RELATED LINKS:
The rise and fall of Rad Power Bikes: From breakout success to the brink of shutdown - Geekwire
Rad Power Bikes faces possible shutdown as it tries to survive ‘significant financial challenges’ - Geekwire

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

If you purchased or rode an e-bike in the last 10 years, there&rsquo;s a good chance it was a Rad Power Bike.&nbsp;
The company, based in Seattle, was one of the first to popularize e-bikes with the general public, and grew to be the largest electric bike company in North America.
But now, the company is on the brink of collapse. A spokesperson told Geekwire last week that Rad faces potential closure as early as January due to &ldquo;<a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/rad-power-bikes-faces-possible-shutdown-as-it-tries-to-survive-significant-financial-challenges/">significant financial challenges</a>.&rdquo;
After virtually building the e-bike industry, and seeing demand quadruple during the pandemic, what went wrong for Rad Power Bikes?
And can they recover?&nbsp;
GUEST:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Geekwire editor Taylor Soper</li>
</ul>
RELATED LINKS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/boom-and-bust-how-rad-power-bikes-went-from-breakout-success-to-the-brink-of-shutdown/">The rise and fall of Rad Power Bikes: From breakout success to the brink of shutdown - Geekwire</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.geekwire.com/2025/rad-power-bikes-faces-possible-shutdown-as-it-tries-to-survive-significant-financial-challenges/">Rad Power Bikes faces possible shutdown as it tries to survive &lsquo;significant financial challenges&rsquo; - Geekwire</a></li>
</ul>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside&nbsp;is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

Rad Power Bikes, based in Seattle, was one of the first to popularize e-bikes with the general public, and grew to be the largest electric bike company in North America.  Now, the company is on the brink of collapse. 

Advertisement