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About Rad Power Bikes
Rad Power Bikes was founded in 2007 by Mike Radenbaugh in Seattle, Washington. Radenbaugh built his first e-bike as a teenager, rigging a motor onto a bicycle frame to handle Seattle’s hills, and eventually turned that tinkering into a company with a single clear goal: make practical, durable e-bikes that most riders could actually afford. Commercial operations launched around 2015, with bikes sold direct to consumers online.
The direct-to-consumer model was central to the pricing strategy. By cutting out retail middlemen, Rad could deliver 750W bikes with solid components for under $1,500 at a time when comparable offerings from established brands cost significantly more. By 2019, the company had sold over 100,000 bikes. In 2021, TIME included Rad Power Bikes in its TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, and the company closed a $154 million funding round that year.
All Rad bikes are Class 2, featuring both pedal assist and a half-twist throttle with assisted speeds up to 20 mph. Consumer-replaceable batteries are standard across the lineup, a practical detail that extends each bike’s useful life without a dealer visit. The design emphasis is on utility and value: fat tires, flat bars, upright geometry, and build quality built for daily use rather than competitive cycling.
Most popular Rad Power Bikes models
The RadCity is Rad’s urban commuter, built with 700c wheels, fenders, an integrated rear rack, and step-through or step-over frame options. It targets daily riders who want a practical city bike backed by a motor. The RadExpand is the folding model, sized for riders who need to bring the bike on transit or store it in a small apartment. Riders who depend on the RadCity or RadExpand for their daily commute can protect their bike against theft and crash damage with commuter bike insurance.
The RadRover is the fat-tire platform, with 4-inch-wide tires that handle gravel, light trail, and snow. The RadWagon is a cargo e-bike with a heavy-duty rear deck rated for substantial loads, built for grocery runs, kid transport, and daily errands. The RadRunner is a utility platform with a low-slung rear cargo rack, popular with delivery riders and commuters who need a compact, maneuverable, loadable bike.
The RadMini combines compact folding storage with fat-tire all-terrain capability and comes in step-through and step-over variants. With Rad bikes retailing in the $1,000 to $2,000 range, they are among the most accessible Class 2 e-bikes on the market. Riders who commute or run errands on a Rad daily benefit from dedicated electric bike insurance from Velosurance, which covers the full replacement value against theft, crash damage, and transit loss.
A newly launched commuter platform with a 750W rear hub motor, 720Wh battery, integrated lights, rack, and rear-view radar. Class 3 capable up to 28 mph, designed for full-time urban commuting after the post-acquisition product overhaul.
The off-road sibling of Radster Road — same 750W hub motor and 720Wh battery, plus a suspension fork and 27.5x2.4 knobby tires for gravel paths and light singletrack. Class 2 throttle plus pedal assist.
The fifth-generation longtail cargo e-bike — 750W rear hub motor, 720Wh battery, extended rear rack rated for 350 lb total payload. Step-thru frame, full fenders, integrated lights.
The previous-generation RadWagon still in distribution — 750W rear hub motor, 672Wh battery, telescoping seat post, and adjustable handlebars. America's best-selling electric cargo bike across multiple iterations.
Folding fat-tire e-bike with a 750W rear hub motor and 720Wh battery. Folds in two locations for apartment storage, RV transport, or trunk-of-car commuting. 20-inch wheels with 4-inch tires.
The top-spec RadRunner — 750W motor, larger battery, dual passenger setup compatibility, suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes. The moped-style platform with maximum cargo and passenger capability.
Mid-tier RadRunner with 7-speed drivetrain and upgraded fork over the base model. Compatible with 330+ accessory combinations including child seats, passenger packages, and cargo baskets.
The original moped-style platform that defined the category — 750W rear hub motor, banana seat, 20-inch x 3.3-inch tires, single-speed drivetrain. Entry trim to the RadRunner family.
The full-size step-thru commuter — 750W rear hub motor, 672Wh battery, integrated rack, fenders, front and rear lights, 27.5-inch wheels. The traditional city-bike form factor in the Rad lineup.
The fat-tire all-terrain platform — 750W geared hub motor, 4-inch wide fat tires, suspension fork, hydraulic disc brakes. Class 2 throttle plus pedal assist; built for sand, snow, and rough surfaces.
Why Velosurance is best for your Rad Power Bike
Velosurance is a stand-alone policy that covers theft and accidental damage and can be optioned to create a comprehensive umbrella of protection for your cycling lifestyle.
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