Seattle-based e-bike company Rad Power Bikes is facing a wrongful death lawsuit from the parents of a 12-year-old girl who died after riding on the back of a Rad Power e-bike last year.
The complaint, filed Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleges the bike, a RadRunner model, had design defects that made it difficult to stop while coming down a steep hill. The suit also claims Rad Power misleads consumers about its bikes' safety for children.
"Nothing at the point-of-sale — generally Rad’s website — cautions against children operating e-bikes. There are no warnings on the product itself regarding this issue," the complaint reads. "We have found no safety videos or marketing materials that mention the issue, much less make a genuine effort to educate users about it."
In late January 2021, Molly Steinsapir rode on the back of the RadRunner while her 11-year-old friend drove the bike, which was a gift for the friend's 13-year-old sister. While coming down a hill, the friend driving was unable to stop the bike despite applying the front and rear brakes. Both girls were thrown from the bike, and while the friend only had superficial wounds, Steinsapir was unconscious and rushed to the hospital. She died about two weeks later after multiple brain surgeries.
The complaint notes the RadRunner manual says in small print on page 49 of a 57-page manual the bike "is designed for use by persons 18 years old and older." Despite this warning, the complaint says, reviews on Rad Power's website tout its use by children, and many riders are unlikely to read, or even have access to, the manual. It also says the RadRunner's use of a quick-release front wheel with a disc brake is dangerous, and the bike is unstable at high speeds.
Steinsapir's parents are also suing the manufacturers and marketers of the Giro brand helmet Molly was wearing during the crash. In addition to wrongful death, the family is suing for product negligence, strict product liability, breach of express warranty and breach of implied warranty.
In a statement to the Business Journal, Rad Power wrote: "The entire Rad Power Bikes team extends its deepest condolences to the Steinsapir family on the tragic loss of Molly Steinsapir. We are aware of the lawsuit that the family has filed. Rad Power Bikes does not comment on pending litigation, including this case, and therefore has no comment on the allegations in their complaint or the underlying accident."
Rad Power was founded in 2007 and makes a variety of electric bikes and accessories. The company raised more than $300 million between two funding rounds in 2021. Still, Rad Power laid off about 100 workers in April, when it shuttered its mobile services arm, and an additional 63 workers in July, citing an uncertain global economic outlook and higher operating costs.
