SEATTLE (BRAIN) — Rad Power Bikes defended its quality control standards and denied the liability claim of a class-action lawsuit filed last week that a faulty fork and quick-release skewer design can cause the wheel to disengage.
After initially declining comment to BRAIN on Monday after the lawsuit was filed by the FeganScott firm on behalf of Gary E. Mason, a Rad Power Bikes spokesperson emailed a response Friday morning.
"As an industry innovator and leader in e-bikes, Rad Power Bikes holds the safety of our riders as our top priority. We design our e-bikes and accessories to exceed safety and quality standards required by U.S. e-bike regulations. Because of this, we are confident in the safety and quality of all of our e-bikes and components when used and maintained properly. This includes the disc brakes and quick-release mechanism, which have been standard in the industry for years and used on millions of bikes and e-bikes.
"Rad Power Bikes, therefore, denies the allegations in this complaint, and the company looks forward to the opportunity to defend itself and its products in this case."
Mason, a resident of Bethesda, Maryland, purchased a RadRunner e-bike in March 2021 from the brand's website. On May 31, 2022, Mason was riding the bike to the grocery store when he braked to avoid a turning car. Mason was thrown over the handlebars "and saw the front wheel flying through the air."
Mason landed on his back and suffered five broken ribs and a broken clavicle. He spent two nights in the trauma ward at Johns Hopkins Medicine in Bethesda and spent six weeks in rehabilitation and physical therapy.
The FeganScott firm issued a news release after filing the suit on Sept. 15 in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington against Rad Power Bikes Inc. and Rad Power Bikes LLC. Managing Partner Elizabeth Fegan wrote that Rad Power Bikes has ignored the alleged defective design for years.
Mason seeks a jury trial and "repair, replacement, and/or refund; extended warranty; injunctive relief resolving — and appropriate curative notice regarding — the existence and cause of the defective e-bikes; reimbursement of all expenses associated with the repair or replacement of the e-bikes and damage caused by the Rad e-bikes; and reimbursement of attorney fees and expenses."
