The hidden deadly threat to scooter and e-bike riders (besides cars)
A recent tragic incident in Portland, Oregon, one of countless similar occurrences, is putting a spotlight on a less-discussed but very real threat to micromobility riders: the condition of our roads.
Earlier this month, a Portland husband and father tragically lost his life while riding an electric scooter along an otherwise innocuous local street. It was marked just 25 mph, but it wasn’t the road’s speed that was the issue, or even the car traffic, which is usually to blame for most riders’ deaths. According to reports, Randy Phelps was thrown from his scooter after hitting a pothole in the road. He spent nearly three weeks on life support before passing away. His organs went on to save the lives of three others.
The loss is heartbreaking – but sadly, not unique.
The pothole had been reported to the city many times, including by local residents and businesses located along the street. Just a few days after Phelps died, the city finally filled in the pothole.
We talk a lot about the dangers that cars pose to cyclists and scooter riders. And for good reason… they are far and away the leading cause of injuries and fatalities for micromobility users. But it’s time we start recognizing that crumbling infrastructure is another deadly factor.
Potholes, cracks, unmarked trenches, and uneven pavement may go unnoticed or simply seem like minor annoyances to drivers in SUVs or pickup trucks. But to someone on an electric scooter or e-bike, they can be catastrophic. Especially at the typical speeds many of these vehicles travel, often between 15 to 28 mph (25 to 45 km/h), a sudden jolt or loss of control from hitting a deep pothole can easily send a rider flying.
Electric scooters are particularly vulnerable here. Commonly available with small 8 to 9-inch wheels, they simply don’t have the ability to roll over wide cracks or potholes that larger diameter wheels have. Instead, they tend to fall into them. Hitting a large pothole on a scooter can often end in an immediate crash. E-bikes usually fare better, with larger diameter wheels offering a bit more forgiveness. But even on a bike, deep pot holes or simply the wrong bump at the wrong angle can flip you over the handlebars or throw off your line, especially if you’re already navigating traffic or a narrow bike lane. And the edge of a pothole can easily puncture an underinflated bicycle innertube with a pinch flat, leading to loss of control at speed.
It’s part of why fat tire e-bikes – with their big, 3 or 4-inch wide tires – are so popular. Not only do they give a cushy ride, but they offer a layer of protection by rolling more smoothly over broken pavement and filling in small potholes instead of dropping into them. They’re not a magic solution, but they help on rougher roads.
I’ve recently been spending time on the new VMAX VX2 Hub e-scooter, which, by electric scooter standards, has relatively large 10-inch tires. They’re also tubeless, functioning closer to motorcycle tires. While 10 inches still isn’t huge, I tend to prefer these types of larger-wheeled scooters versus the small-wheeled budget options precisely for the extra safety that those larger tires offer.
Ultimately though, this isn’t just about tire width or diameter. This is about infrastructure. Many cities across the US have done a great job encouraging people to choose alternative forms of transportation. In fact, Portland is often seen as one of the most cycling-friendly cities in the country, and even there it took the death of a local rider to get a pot hole filled in.
It takes more than just encouraging people to switch from cars to scooters or bikes. It means they have a responsibility to maintain safe conditions for those users. That includes repaving cracked roads, filling potholes quickly, and keeping bike lanes clear and usable – not just painting lines and calling it a day.
And while I hope this doesn’t come across as victim-blaming, we riders also need to recognize that part of surviving on two wheels means riding defensively – not just against cars, but against the road itself. That might mean scanning ahead more actively, slowing down when visibility is poor or the pavement is suspect, and choosing routes with safer surfaces whenever possible. On one of my first e-bikes back in 2010, I turned my wheel from an O-shape into a D-shape while following too close behind a car to see a big pot hole in time, and that taught me a big lesson that I still remember 15 years later.
None of this is meant to place blame on riders. The responsibility is on cities to fix their roads. But until that happens — and while we push for it — we riders have to ride like our lives depend on it. Because often times, they do.
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GM’s most affordable electric SUV just got a bit cheaper. Chevy introduced a new 0% financing offer on the 2026 Equinox EV, knocking about $4,000 off the price.
2026 Chevy Equinox EV financing offers
The electric Chevy Equinox is already one of the most affordable EVs you can get your hands on, with starting prices under $35,000.
Although the 2026 Chevy Equinox EV starts at $36,495, $1,500 more than the 2025 model year, Chevy is making up for it with its latest promo.
Chevy introduced a new 0% financing offer for 60 months on all 2026 Chevy Equinox EV trims last Friday. That’s a drastically lower rate than the previous 3.9% APR it was offering. According to online auto research firm CarsDirect, the rate cut could save you about $4,000 on a $40,000 loan.
For comparison, Tesla is advertising a 3.99% APR financing rate for the Model Y Standard, which starts at $39,990.
You might even be able to finance the $44,000 RS trim for less than the Model Y. The sporty trim offers an upgraded design with 21″ black wheels, a blacked-out grille, and other RS-exclusive features.
GM also extended the $1,250 conquest bonus to the 2026 Equinox EV. It’s available for those who own or lease a non-GM vehicle that’s at least a 2011 model year.
The 2026 Chevy Equinox EV starts at $36,495 with up to 319 miles of range, including a $1,395 destination fee. You can upgrade to AWD for an extra $5,300. The AWD variants offer up to 307 miles of range.
All 2025 model year Chevy electric vehicles, including the Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado, are available with 0% financing for 60 months.
| Chevy Equinox EV trim | 2025 Starting Price | 2026 Starting Price | EPA-estimated Range |
| LT 1 FWD | $34,995 | $36,495 | 319 miles |
| LT 1 AWD | $38,295 | $39,795 | 307 miles |
| LT 2 FWD | $43,295 | $43,295 | 319 miles |
| LT 2 AWD | $46,595 | $46,595 | 307 miles |
| RS FWD | $44,795 | $45,595 | 319 miles |
| RS AWD | $48,095 | $48,895 | 307 miles |
You can also score a $3,000 Customer Cash bonus on the 2025 Chevy Equinox EV, plus the $1,250 conquest offer. The 2025 Chevy Blazer EV is available with $3,500 in Customer Cash and a $1,250 conquest bonus.
With an affordable price and over 300 miles of driving range, the electric Chevy Equinox has become the third-most-popular EV in the US, trailing just the Tesla Model Y and Model 3.
Want to check out Chevy’s electric vehicles for yourself? You can use our links below to find Chevy Equinox, Blazer, and Silverado EVs at a dealership near you.
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Environment
Anker launches SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 station starting from $749, save up to $1,116 during Tenways’ early Black Friday e-bike sale, more
Headlining today’s Green Deals is the official launch of Anker’s new SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station and bundles that start at $749 for folks who took advantage of the early-bird savings promotion, while everyone else can score them starting from $799. We also have Tenways’ Early Black Friday Sale with up to $1,116 in savings on e-bikes, as well as select 50% off Power Bank (range extender) bundle options – all starting from $1,499. From there, we have exclusive Bluetti Halloween Sale deals on the Apex 300 Versatile Power Station and bundles starting from a new $1,349 low, as well as lawncare equipment from Worx and Greenworks, first savings on VIOFO’s new A229 Ultra dash cams, and more ongoing favorites waiting for you below. And don’t forget about the hangover deals from last week that are collected together at the bottom of the page, like yesterday’s Aventon Level 3 Smart Commuter e-bike early Black Friday savings, EcoFlow’s latest 48-hour Halloween flash sale that ends tonight, and more.
Head below for other New Green Deals we’ve found today and, of course, Electrek’s best EV buying and leasing deals. Also, check out the new Electrek Tesla Shop for the best deals on Tesla accessories.
Anker officially launches new SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 power station and bundles with up to 50% savings from $749
Anker has officially launched its new SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 Portable Power Station with up to $1,100 savings, unless you subscribed ahead of time to receive the code that allows for additional savings from the brand’s direct website. For folks who missed out on the early-bird deals, you can pick up the power station on its own for $799 shipped, which is also matching in price over at Amazon. It will normally fetch $1,499 at full price once these launch deals end, with the folks who subscribed and scored the code ahead of time getting an additional $50 off the price for $749 shipped. These are the very first savings of $700 and $750 off the going rate, setting the bar for future deals. Head below to learn more about this station’s capabilities, as well as get the full lineup of bundle deals we’re seeing both from the brand’s website and Amazon.
Coming as a remodeling of the legacy F2000 model, Anker’s new SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 power station brings more power and faster charging within a smaller and lighter form factor. It’s base LiFePO4 battery capacity starts at 2,048Wh and can be expanded up to 4,096Wh with the expansion battery bundle below. Through its 11 output ports (five ACs, one TT-30R RV port, three USB-Cs, one USB-A, and a car port) it delivers up to 2,400W of power that can surge up to 4,000W, which beats out its predecessor by 400W.
Anker’s SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 comes with six primary recharging methods, including an AC outlet (88 minutes for 100%), a gas generator (88 minutes for 100%), up to 800W of solar input (three hours for 100%), using both AC and solar simultaneously (58 minutes for 100%), your car’s auxiliary port (23 hours for 100%), or with the brand’s new 800W alternator charger.
***Note: The prices below do not factor in the early-bird savings code you should have received by subscribing ahead of this launch, so be sure to use it at checkout for even lower rates!
Anker SOLIX C2000 Gen 2 launch deals:
- C2000 Gen 2 (2,048Wh) power station: $799 (Reg. $1,499) | matched at Amazon
- C2000 Gen 2 (2,048Wh) with 200W solar panel: $1,049 (Reg. $1,998)
- C2000 Gen 2 (2,048Wh) with 400W solar panel: $1,299 (Reg. $2,398)
- C2000 Gen 2 (4,096Wh) with expansion battery: $1,398 (Reg. $2,498)
If you’re looking for something more compact, you can still score Anker’s PowerCore Reserve 60,000mAh/192Wh power station down at $80 right now. There’s also the brand’s Halloween Sale that is offering up to 63% discounts on units, with camping-ready solutions starting from $398, while we’re also seeing returning low prices on the SOLIX F3000 power station and bundles starting from $1,399, as well as the F3800 Plus power station and bundles starting from $2,599.
Get up to $1,116 early Black Friday savings on Tenways e-bike bundles starting from $1,499
Tenways has launched its Early Black Friday Sale, with up to $600 in savings on e-bikes alongside 50% off accessories, including the ongoing $1,116 savings on the AGO X All-Terrain Mid-Drive e-bike that gets a FREE Power Bank (range extender). Among the other deals we’re seeing, you can find Tenways’ CGO600 Pro Lightweight Commuter e-bike (both the chain and belt drives) with $118 in FREE add-on gear at $1,499 shipped – plus, you can add on a Power Bank (range extender) at 50% off on the page. Normally going for $1,899 in full, we’ve mostly been seeing the price taken down to $1,599 since March due to tariff hikes, with occasional falls lower to $1,499 for short timeframes. While we have seen it go lower in the past pre-tariff market, the deal here is a solid $400 price cut lending to a total $518 in savings ($672 if you add the Power Bank) that is the best price we’ve seen in our post-tariff market. You can also score an additional $150 off when buying two e-bikes together, with the usual medical provider, first responder, teacher, or military member discounts available too.
If you want to learn more about these particular e-bikes, as well as browse the full lineup of deals, be sure to check out our original coverage of this Early Black Friday Sale here.
Bluetti offers up to 47% exclusive Halloween savings on its Apex 300 series starting from new $1,349 low
As part of its newly launched Halloween Sale, and running parallel to the ongoing exclusive Pioneer Na(Sodium) power station launch savings, we are seeing lower-than-ever pricing on the brand’s Apex 300 Versatile Power Station and its bundles. Prices start from $1,349.10 shipped for the power station alone, after using the exclusive code 9TO5TOYS10F at checkout (and which only works for this series). It’s been carrying a $2,399 MSRP since releasing in May, though we’ve regularly had exclusive deals for our readers that take significantly more off the tag. We spotted this station previously dropping down the lowest three weeks ago during Prime Day, when it hit $1,394, but that rate is beaten out here by $45, giving you a total $1,050 savings at the best price we have tracked.
If you want to learn more about this power station series, or see the full lineup of offers, be sure to check out our original coverage of these exclusive deals here.
Worx’s 20V 10-inch cordless chainsaw gains extended reach with the pole attachment for $130
Amazon is offering the versatile Worx 20V 10-inch Cordless PowerShare Pole/Chainsaw Kit at $129.99 shipped. While it carries a $190 MSRP directly from the brand, it’s been keeping to $158 at full price here, with discounts mostly dropping costs between $140 and $130, though we did spy a one-time drop to $102 back in February. Aside from the early-year deal, you’re getting the next-best price that we have tracked over 2025, with $28 cut from Amazon’s going rate (and $60 off the MSRP).
If you want to learn more about this handy 2-in-1 tool, be sure to check out our original coverage of this deal here.
Best Fall EV deals!
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (camo) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $3,048 (Reg. $3,298)
- Velotric Nomad 2X e-bike (sage or fig) with DELTA 3 Plus station: $2,948 (Reg. $3,298)
- Heybike Hero 750W Mid-Drive Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bike (return low): $2,299 (Reg. $3,099)
- Rad Power Radster Road Commuter e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Rad Power Radster Trail Off-Road e-bike: $1,999 (Reg. $2,199)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 35Ah Cargo e-bike w/ up to $762 bundle: $1,999 (Reg. $2,761)
- Heybike Hero 1,000W Carbon-Fiber All-Terrain e-bike (new low): $1,899 (Reg. $2,599)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (gray or white) with DELTA 2 station: $1,898 (Reg. $2,198)
- Velotric Fold 1 Plus e-bike (mango or blue) with DELTA 2 station: $1,828 (Reg. $2,198)
- Aventon Aventure 3 Smart All-Terrain e-bike (first discount): $1,799 (Reg. $1,999)
- Aventon Aventure 3 Smart Step-Through All-Terrain e-bike (first discount): $1,799 (Reg. $1,999)
- Lectric XP Trike2 750 Long-Range eTrike with $558 bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,357)
- Rad Power RadExpand 5 Plus Folding e-bike (lowest price): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 26Ah Cargo e-bike w/ $613 bundle: $1,799 (Reg. $2,412)
- Aventon Level 3 Step-Over Smart Commuter e-bike (first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Aventon Level 3 Step-Through Smart Commuter e-bike (first discount): $1,699 (Reg. $1,899)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Long-Range Off-Road e-bike with $404 bundle: $1,699 (Reg. $2,103)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike with extra battery: $1,599 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Abound Cargo e-bike: $1,599 (Reg. $1,999)
- Ride1Up VORSA Modular Multi-Use e-bike: $1,595 (Reg. $1,695)
- Rad Power RadRunner Cargo Utility e-bike with extra battery: $1,499 (No pirce cut)
- Lectric XPeak 2.0 Standard Off-Road e-bike with $247 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,746)
- Lectric XP Trike2 with $257 bundle: $1,499 (Reg. $1,756)
- Rad Power RadWagon 4 Cargo e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,799)
- Aventon Aventure 2 All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,999)
- Lectric XPedition 2.0 13Ah Cargo e-bike with $346 bundle: $1,399 (Reg. $1,745)
- Aventon Level 2 Commuter e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,899)
- Rad Power RadRover 6 Plus Step-Thru Fat Tire e-bike: $1,399 (Reg. $1,599)
- Heybike ALPHA All-Terrain e-bike: $1,499 (Reg. $1,699)
- Hiboy TITAN Pro Electric Scooter (new model, code HSTP10): $1,350 (Reg. $2,000)
- Lectric XPress 750 Commuter e-bikes with $439 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,703)
- Lectric XP4 750 LR Folding Utility e-bikes with up to $514 bundle: $1,299 (Reg. $1,813)
- Heybike Hauler Dual-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $1,299 (Reg. $1,899)
- Heybike Mars 2.0 Folding Fat-Tire e-bike with extra battery: $1,199 (Reg. $1,848)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 JW Black LR e-bike with $414 bundle: $1,099 (Reg. $1,513)
- Hiboy TITAN Electric Scooter (new model, code HST9): $1,001 (Reg. $1,700)
- Lectric XP4 Standard Folding Utility e-bikes with $79 bundle: $999 (Reg. $1,078)
- Lectric XP Lite 2.0 Long-Range e-bikes with $414 bundles: $999 (Reg. $1,438)
- Heybike Hauler Single-Battery Cargo e-bike (new low): $899 (Reg. $1,413)
- Segway E3 Pro Electric Scooter: $600 (Reg. $700)
Best new Green Deals landing this week
The savings this week are also continuing to a collection of other markdowns. To the same tune as the offers above, these all help you take a more energy-conscious approach to your routine. Winter means you can lock in even better off-season price cuts on electric tools for the lawn while saving on EVs and tons of other gear.
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Tesla’s chairwoman said that the automaker might redesign the Cybercab, specifically add a steering wheel and pedals.
Last year, Tesla unveiled the Cybercab, a two-seater electric car without a steering wheel or pedals.
Musk was quoted during the design of the Cybercab:
No mirrors, no pedals, no steering wheel. Let me be clear. This vehicle must be designed as a clean robotaxi. We’re going to take that risk…But we are not going to design some sort of amphibian frog that’s a halfway car. We are all in on autonomy.
Here’s the interior of the Tesla Cybercab:
The vehicle was one of several new, cheaper electric vehicles that Tesla was developing for its new ‘unboxed’ platform, but CEO Elon Musk canceled the others, believing they wouldn’t be needed with the advent of autonomous driving.
However, Tesla has yet to solve unsupervised autonomous driving, and Musk has been consistently wrong about predicting when it will happen.
Tesla plans to bring the Cybercab to production in 2026, and during Tesla’s earnings call last week, Musk said the Cybercab will account for the bulk of Tesla’s upcoming production growth.
That’s not going to happen if Tesla hasn’t solved unsupervised self-driving.
Furthermore, while federal regulations for self-driving vehicles have been relaxed recently, there’s only an exemption available for 2,500 passenger vehicles without a steering wheel or pedals per manufacturer per year.
Now, Tesla chairwoman Robin Denholm said in an interview with Bloomberg today that Tesla plans to add a steering wheel and pedals to the Cybercab if needed:
“If we have to have a steering wheel, it can have a steering wheel and pedals.”
Tesla is currently setting up Cybercab production at Gigafactory Texas near Austin.
The automaker has framed the vehicle as a cheaper alternative to Model Y for its Robotaxi service.
Electrek’s Take
Just yesterday, I was talking to my friend Bastien, and he called it. He told me he bets Tesla does launch the Cybercab next year, but with a steering wheel and pedals.
Now, let’s be clear. As of today, Tesla’s need for a steering wheel and pedals in the Cybercab is not driven by regulators, as Denholm suggests.
Tesla hasn’t solved unsupervised self-driving as evidenced by the current version of ‘Full Self-Driving (Supervised)’ in consumer vehicles, and its Robotaxi service still has safety monitors.
If Tesla wants to produce and deliver the Cybercab in any significant volume, it would need a steering wheel.
The regulations are just an excuse as of now.
It could change in the future, but for now, Tesla’s technology is without a doubt the limiting factor.
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