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This seems more about the parent's attempt at image management (cover up own failure as parents). The article does not mention any technical fault with the e-bi

by jbirer 4y ago

This seems more about the parent's attempt at image management (cover up own failure as parents). The article does not mention any technical fault with the e-bike, instead mentioning two minors riding it at full speed on hilly ground.

wl 4y ago
Plaintiffs allege that the combination of quick release axels and disc brakes is a technical fault that lead directly to this accident because the axel loosened under braking load.
thefz 4y ago
I don't think it is the manufacturer's fault and I don't think it's the parents' fault either. The bike isn't marketed towards children specifically; the parents could not have predicted the front wheel coming apart, maybe it was the 100th ride the kids went on that bike.
- golemotron 4y ago
  Both parents are trial lawyers. That's a contributing cause to the lawsuit, at least.
- sithadmin 4y ago
  Rad Power is pretty dang clear that they are selling for riders 16 and older, and that operation by younger people is potentially a hazard. It's on their website. It's on the box, and on stickers and a tag that is physically attached to the bike when it ships, if I recall correctly. It's in the manual. I'm not sure what else Rad Power could reasonably be expected to do here to prevent bad parenting.
- cheschire 4y ago
  The way I read your message was like the wheel disintegrated, perhaps due to poorly tightened or weakened spokes. > The suit goes on to argue that the quick release came loose as Steinsapir’s friend was applying the front brake, which allegedly caused the wheel to wobble and ultimately caused the crash. But what this reads like to me is the quick release was not tightened adequately or perhaps the quick release was not tightened or checked recently. This seems even more likely if it was the 100th ride. And that easily could've been a parent's mistake for not tightening the quick release adequately. So yeah, too many question marks for me to pass judgment here. I'll leave it to the professionals and hope that Rad doesn't get put out of business unjustly.
MonkeyMalarky 4y ago
If you could find media content from the manufacturer that explicitly markets to children, or is exemplifying dangerous and reckless usage of their product, then they could have a case.
sithadmin 4y ago
It mentions two supposed faults: use of a quick release mechanism on the front wheel in conjunction with disc brakes; that the 'electrical power failed to shut down'. There's potentially merit in the first one, but it seems like the front wheel didn't actually loosen or eject the hub, so it doesn't seem at fault for the wreck here. As a Rad Power bike owner myself, I don't buy the second claim either. The most likely cause here would be user error, with the girl operating the bike continuing to pedal on the downhill, causing the hub motor to engage up until the governor's 20mph limit. (She also could have been engaging the throttle, but if she was breaking, that would be VERY difficult for an 11-year-old's hands to do on a Rad Power. Keeping the throttle engaged while also braking is not exactly easy for a full-grown hand to do given the design. I don't see a kid doing it.)
chasd00 4y ago
They’re probably just very angry and hurt and looking for any kind of revenge they can find.
- sokoloff 4y ago
  Which is understandable, but I still hope they win the suit with a judgment of $1 and court costs only.

by jbirer 4y ago

wl 4y ago

Plaintiffs allege that the combination of quick release axels and disc brakes is a technical fault that lead directly to this accident because the axel loosened under braking load.

thefz 4y ago

I don't think it is the manufacturer's fault and I don't think it's the parents' fault either. The bike isn't marketed towards children specifically; the parents could not have predicted the front wheel coming apart, maybe it was the 100th ride the kids went on that bike.

golemotron 4y ago
Both parents are trial lawyers. That's a contributing cause to the lawsuit, at least.
sithadmin 4y ago
Rad Power is pretty dang clear that they are selling for riders 16 and older, and that operation by younger people is potentially a hazard. It's on their website. It's on the box, and on stickers and a tag that is physically attached to the bike when it ships, if I recall correctly. It's in the manual. I'm not sure what else Rad Power could reasonably be expected to do here to prevent bad parenting.
cheschire 4y ago
The way I read your message was like the wheel disintegrated, perhaps due to poorly tightened or weakened spokes. > The suit goes on to argue that the quick release came loose as Steinsapir’s friend was applying the front brake, which allegedly caused the wheel to wobble and ultimately caused the crash. But what this reads like to me is the quick release was not tightened adequately or perhaps the quick release was not tightened or checked recently. This seems even more likely if it was the 100th ride. And that easily could've been a parent's mistake for not tightening the quick release adequately. So yeah, too many question marks for me to pass judgment here. I'll leave it to the professionals and hope that Rad doesn't get put out of business unjustly.

MonkeyMalarky 4y ago

If you could find media content from the manufacturer that explicitly markets to children, or is exemplifying dangerous and reckless usage of their product, then they could have a case.

sithadmin 4y ago

It mentions two supposed faults: use of a quick release mechanism on the front wheel in conjunction with disc brakes; that the 'electrical power failed to shut down'. There's potentially merit in the first one, but it seems like the front wheel didn't actually loosen or eject the hub, so it doesn't seem at fault for the wreck here. As a Rad Power bike owner myself, I don't buy the second claim either. The most likely cause here would be user error, with the girl operating the bike continuing to pedal on the downhill, causing the hub motor to engage up until the governor's 20mph limit. (She also could have been engaging the throttle, but if she was breaking, that would be VERY difficult for an 11-year-old's hands to do on a Rad Power. Keeping the throttle engaged while also braking is not exactly easy for a full-grown hand to do given the design. I don't see a kid doing it.)

chasd00 4y ago

They’re probably just very angry and hurt and looking for any kind of revenge they can find.

sokoloff 4y ago
Which is understandable, but I still hope they win the suit with a judgment of $1 and court costs only.