Mike Radenbaugh built an electric bike when he was 15 years old in order to travel his 34 mile round trip to school everyday. Radenbaugh decided to make his bike because his trip was too long for him to make on his mountain bike every single day. His initiation and drive shined through when he joined an online forum to have other people help guide him in the construction of his first electric bike. Radenbaugh’s immense work ethic was seen when it took him about half a year of making multiple prototypes to finally create his first working electric bike. His bike immediately captivated many people in his rural town for its innovation and use of alternative energy. He then put his idea on the back-burner until he went to college. At Humboldt State University, he met Ty Collins and Marimar White-Espin who helped him found his electric bike company, Rad Power. Rad Power has bikes that can reach speeds of up to 50 MPH. Rad Power has now grown to a company that employs 28 people, and it is projected to reach 30 million dollars in sales.
Its interesting to see a product forming out of necessity. This young man didn’t need to go out of his way to find a problem to solve, he merely had to solve a problem of his own, and he had the knowledge to understand that, if it was a problem for him, it is surely a problem for others as well. Also, the fact that a venture which began at age 15 and now employs 28 people is very impressive and reminds me of the fact that anyone can be successful in entrepreneurship.
This is an amazing invention. This is a perfect example of someone finding a need and then filling that need. I personally would buy this product. The fact that it can reach up to 50 mph is incredible. I was very impressed with Rad Power and the mind behind it.
I’m blown away by the fact that Mike had to bike 34 miles to school each day. Where did he live? Also, I find it incredible that Mike was able to make this bike at 15 years of age. It takes such incredible determination to build something like this. And now it has turned into such an incredible invention and business. I wonder how this company does so well because Rad Power seems to be quite similar to a moped which is about $1,000 less than Rad Power. This company has done something right and they are very successful because of it.
I have actually ridden one of these bikes, and they are just absolutely amazing. They are just so much fun. Anyways, it is awesome that he was able to create this so young, and still have time to produce this product years later. It truly is an amazing product, but wow I am not sure if I would want to go 50 mph on a normal bike!
Nice post, it was nice to see a picture of the bike!
It is incredible that a 15 year old found something that is a problem not only for him but others and was able to eventually turn it into a business idea that generated jobs and millions of dollars in revenue!
I’m inspired by Mike’s innovation. Mike addressed a problem that he was facing and turned this solution into a million dollar idea. Out of curiosity, how much does a Rad Power bike cost?