People with a certain brand of e-bikes are being warned about the batteries by a federal safety agency, after some of the older models of the new-fangled two-wheelers caught fire.
In December, the San Luis Obispo County Integrated Waste Management Authority issued a consumer warning about Rad Power Bikes.
“The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission [CPSC],” reads the warning from IWMA, “has issued an urgent safety warning, advising consumers to immediately stop using lithium-ion batteries for Rad Power Bikes e-bike models RP-1304 and HL-RP-S1304. These batteries should be removed from the e-bike and disposed of through approved hazardous waste disposal channels.”
CPSC’s website said, “The hazardous batteries can unexpectedly ignite and explode, posing a fire hazard to consumers, especially when the battery or the harness has been exposed to water and debris.”
The agency added, “CPSC urges consumers to immediately remove the battery from the e-bike and dispose of the battery following local hazardous waste disposal procedures. Do not sell or give away these hazardous batteries.”
The warning was issued after the agency couldn’t reach agreement on a recall. “The importer, Rad Power Bikes Inc., of Seattle, Wash., has refused to agree to an acceptable recall. Given its financial situation, Rad Power Bikes has indicated to CPSC that it is unable to offer replacement batteries or refunds to all consumers.”
The company has since filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy.
The batteries in question are reportedly manufactured in China and Vietnam.
Rad issued a statement in response to the CPSC’s actions. “Rad’s Safe Shield batteries and semi-integrated batteries are not subject to the agency’s statement. Rad had the batteries re-tested by third-party labs as part of this investigation; the batteries passed these tests again.
“Nonetheless, in an effort to partner with the CPSC, Rad proposed multiple solutions to the agency in good faith.
“Rad informed the agency that its demand to replace all batteries, regardless of condition, would immediately put Rad out of business, which would be of no benefit to our riders. Rad is disappointed that it could not reach a resolution that best serves our riders and the industry at large.”
The company added, “Rad reminds its customers to inspect batteries before use or charging and immediately stop using batteries that show signs of damage, water ingress, or corrosion, and to contact Rad so we can support our riders.”
As of the time of the warning in December, CPSC said they were aware of 31 reports of fire, “including 12 reports of property damage totaling approximately $734,500. Some of these incidents occurred when the battery was not charging, the product was not in use, and the product was in storage.”
The models in question were sold at Best Buy and independent bike shops across the nation, the CPSC said, selling for around $550 “or between $1,500 and $2,000 (when sold with e-bikes).”
Disposing of the batteries must be done properly. IWMA said consumers can dispose of the lithium-ion batteries at their Household Hazardous Waste facilities, such as the Morro Bay Sewer Treatment Plant on Atascadero Rd., which is open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. There is no charge for taking the batteries.
IWMA cautioned not to just throw the batteries in the garbage or to improperly dispose of them in any other way. See: www.iwma.com for information from the IWMA.
Lithium-ion batteries were also recently in the news as part of an awareness campaign by CAL FIRE, during its Fire Prevention Week last October.
The State’s fire agency put the focus on these rechargeable batteries to protect homes and families “from the growing risk of lithium-ion battery fires.”
“Lithium-ion batteries,” CAL FIRE said, “are found in most of the electronics we use every day, including phones, laptops, power tools, e-bikes, scooters, and more. These small but powerful batteries store a large amount of energy in a compact space. If damaged, overcharged, or improperly used, they can overheat, catch fire, or even explode.
CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Public Information Officer Ryan Grebe said, “Simple steps like charging devices on a hard surface, unplugging them once fully charged, and buying only certified products can make a big difference. Being proactive now is key to preventing dangerous battery fires later.”
CAL FIRE issued some battery safety tips:
• Buy only products with recognized safety marks such as UL, ETL, or CSA.
• Use the original charging cable provided by the manufacturer.
• Always follow manufacturer instructions.
• Charge on a hard, flat surface — never on beds, couches, or under pillows.
• Unplug devices or remove the battery once fully charged.
• Stop using the battery if you notice odor, heat, swelling, discoloration, or odd noises.
• Dispose of batteries properly — never in household trash or recycling bins.
Readers can also see: www.call2recycle.org to find a safe disposal site near you.
It’s been a tough go of it for Rad Power Bikes over the past few months. The CPSC warnings started to come out last November, and December saw the company file for Chapter 11.
Most recently, a fire at one of their retail stores in Southern California is under investigation.
In Huntington Beach a Rad Power Bikes retail store caught fire Jan. 18. The Huntington Beach Fire Department was still investigating the cause, which might not be a battery issue.
Rad Power Bikes filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy on Dec. 18 according to an article by Bicycle Retailer and Industry News (BRAIN), an online trade publication.
“Filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Washington,” the article said, “Rad Power Bikes listed estimated assets at $32.1 million and estimated liabilities at $72.8 million. Its inventory of e-bikes, spare parts, and accessories is listed at $14,226,874.73.”
The bankruptcy isn’t directly tied to the issue with the batteries, as the list of creditors includes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency, with over $8 million owed for tariffs, and over $5 million owed to Bangkok Cycle Insurance, Inc., among other smaller creditors.
A company spokesman told BRAIN, “This step allows us to keep operating in the ordinary course of business while we pursue the best possible outcome for the people who rely on Rad every day. Our goal is to keep the company intact and preserve the relationships we have built with riders, vendors, suppliers, and partners.
“We are not giving up. We remain deeply committed to our customers and community, and we are focused on doing everything we can to strengthen the future of the Rad brand. We are grateful for the continued support of our riders, vendors, and retail partners as we work through this moment and toward what comes next.”
