Recalls from Pedego and Pacific Cycle, Updates to Rad’s Leadership, and Electric Bike Co.’s Assets Auction | TWR Ep 63

Pedego and Pacific Cycle have both issued safety recalls affecting their electric bike products amid ongoing developments in the e-bike industry. Pedego has recalled several hundred Fat Tire Trikes due to reports of frame breakage near welds, which pose a risk of falls and lacerations. Sixteen incidents have been reported, including one injury, prompting the company to offer free repairs involving a reengineered and strengthened frame section. Meanwhile, Pacific Cycle has recalled 650 Schwinn Ovation child carriers after discovering that their buckles can loosen, creating a potential fall hazard, though no injuries have been reported so far. Rad Power Bikes has seen a significant leadership change as CEO Kathi Lentzsch steps down after a brief tenure beginning in March. The company’s Chief Financial Officer, Angelina “Angy” Smith, has been promoted to CEO to steer Rad through its ongoing Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings. Smith, who joined Rad in April with prior CFO experience at other companies, becomes the fourth CEO in three years as the brand attempts to stabilise and restructure. Rad is also reducing its administrative workforce as it seeks new investment or funding to remain operational beyond the start of 2025. The Electric Bike Company (EBC), which filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October, is now preparing to auction off its remaining assets. The sale will include the brand’s intellectual property, website, inventory of finished and in-progress products, and various assembly and manufacturing equipment. Interested buyers must sign a non-disclosure agreement to access detailed information, with bids due in January and a potential auction scheduled for early February. The outcome of this sale could determine whether the iconic brand experiences a revival or is dissolved entirely. These developments come at a time when the e-bike market continues to evolve rapidly, with consumers and manufacturers alike navigating safety concerns, financial challenges, and product innovations. The recalls highlight ongoing quality control issues that manufacturers must address to maintain consumer trust. Meanwhile, leadership shifts and bankruptcy proceedings at major players like Rad Power Bikes and Electric Bike Company underscore the financial pressures within the sector. Observers will be watching closely to see how these companies adapt and whether new investors emerge to support their futures.