News

Detroit, MI – May 4, 2016 –Detroit Bikes, North America's only large-scale bicycle manufacturer, and Motivate, the nation’s leading bike-share operator, announced that Motivate’s bikes will now be assembled in the United States.

Detroit Bikes will assemble 3,000 Motivate bikes in its 50,000 square-foot factory in Detroit.

The manufacturer will also build wheels and oversee local partners to paint frames and forks. 

As a result of the increased workload, Detroit Bikes has added ten workers and a built a new assembly line.

“This contract makes a huge statement about what Detroit is capable of” said Zak Pashak, Founder and President of Detroit Bikes. “It is fitting that American bike-share bikes will be assembled here in America and we’re proud to work with Motivate to make it happen,” he said. “Detroit Bikes is looking forward to working with even more cities and systems as we hone our capabilities.”

“It’s terrific that Motivate, a growing national business has selected a Detroit company for this manufacturing work,” said Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, “It’s another good sign of the strength of Detroit business. This initiative will create jobs in a Detroit neighborhood and help power an innovative new form of transportation.”

Motivate operates the largest bike share systems in the country and nearly 70% of the entire bike-share fleet in the U.S. Moving the assembly of its bikes to the U.S. allows Motivate to ensure quality control and fulfill orders for new bikes more quickly.

“I can’t think of a better place to have our bike assembly operations than Detroit,” said Jay Walder, President & CEO of Motivate. “With Detroit Bikes’ help, Motivate will be able to meet the growing demand for bike-share operations in cities all across the country, getting more bikes to more people more quickly.”

Carrying forward with this success in bike-share partnerships, Detroit Bikes is thrilled to announce a subsequent partnership with CycleHop, the nation’s fastest growing bike-share provider, to bid on the recently announced City of Detroit bike-share RFP, operated by the City of Detroit Department of Transportation (DDOT) and the Downtown Detroit Partnership (DDP).

“If we’re going to making thousands of bikes for some of the biggest bike share programs in the country, it only makes sense that the city of Detroit would also look to a local manufacturer when sourcing bikes for their new program” said Zak Pashak. “We would love to be able to contribute to the city’s program and have partnered with some of the most well respected names in bike-share to put together a rock solid proposal”. The City of Detroit bike-share RFP was announced in November of 2015.

About Motivate:
Motivate is a global leader in bike share. A full-service bike share operator and technology innovator, Motivate works to re-envision how people experience and move around cities.  Motivate currently manages all of the largest bike share systems in the United States and many of the largest systems in the world, including Bay Area Bike Share (California Bay Area), Citi Bike (New York and Jersey City), Divvy (Chicago), CoGo Bike Share (Columbus, Ohio), Capital Bike Share (Washington, D.C.; Arlington and Alexandria, Va.; and Montgomery County, Md.), Hubway (Boston, Somerville, Cambridge and Brookline, Mass.), Pronto (Seattle), Bike Chattanooga (Tenn.), Bike Share Toronto, and Melbourne Bike Share in Australia. Motivate will add thousands of bikes to its current systems and launch the new BIKETOWN bike share system in Portland, Oregon in July 2016.

Detroit, MI – March 15, 2016 – Detroit Bikes, the American bike manufacturer, has hired Scott Montgomery, as National Sales Director.

Montgomery brings more than 30 years of experience in the bicycle industry to Detroit Bikes.

His career includes a long tenure with Cannondale and returning Scott Sports to North America.

He will split his time between Nutcase helmets as CEO, and Detroit bikes.

In his role at Detroit Bikes, Montgomery will guide national retailer sales and marketing.

“Detroit Bikes has made a lot of progress within the bike industry in a short time," Montgomery said. “They’re appealing to a broad audience of urban, commuter, hybrid and casual cyclist’s with a high quality American made bicycle.”

Detroit Bikes is continuing to expand its retailer initiatives. The rapidly growing manufacturer builds its signature bikes in a 50,000 square foot factory on the city’s west side of Detroit.  Its distinctive, quality bicycles can be seen everywhere from cities and corporate campuses to bike trails and parks.

“Scott’s expertise is a very welcome addition,” said Detroit Bikes Founder and President, Zak Pashak. “We’re growing quickly and his experience working with companies like ours will be a big advantage.“

Sacramento, CA – February 9, 2016 – Detroit Bikes will debut its New Belgium Brewing Fat Tire bike at the North American Handmade Bicycle Show (NAHBS), the world’s largest consumer show for custom-built bicycles.

Joining hundreds of bike makers from across the United States, Detroit Bikes will also display its growing line of production bicycles as well as offering new products and services to fellow bike builders.

The Fat Tire bike, manufactured exclusively for New Belgium Brewing in Fort Collins, CO, is part of a multi-year contract to produce thousands of bikes to promote the beer maker’s Fat Tire Amber Ale.

In addition to contract manufacturing, Detroit Bikes has begun working as a key supply chain partner for a major US bike share provider. This agreement includes wheel building, powder coating, assembly, and shipping for more than 3,000 bikes.

Detroit Bikes’ capabilities have grown to also provide new services and products to others. The company offers painted or raw frames, frame kits, and specialty items like bottom bracket shells to bike builders.

“We’re excited to show the hand built community everything Detroit Bikes can do,” Said Founder and President, Zak Pashak. “Through a traditional assembly line approach, we’re able to manufacture a high volume of quality, hand built frames and components available to everyone.”

Detroit, MI – January 20, 2016 – Detroit Bikes has hired Chris Kiesling as Chief Operating Officer. Kiesling will focus on strengthening and expanding Detroit Bikes’ manufacturing operations to meet growing customer demand.

In addition to manufacturing its own signature bicycles in 2016, Detroit Bikes will also manufacture thousands of bikes for New Belgium Brewery, in concert with other custom manufacturing contracts. 

Detroit Bikes also recently entered into an agreement to act as a key supply chain partner for a major US bike share provider. This agreement involves various aspects of production for several thousand bikes annually.

Kiesling joins Detroit Bikes from DTE Energy where he served as a plant manager. In his new role, Kiesling will greatly improve employee engagement and manufacturing efficiencies for Detroit Bikes. Drawing on more than ten years of experience leading safety and process engineering efforts at DTE, Kiesling will guide Detroit Bikes through its growth.

“This is a critical time,” he said. “Now we transition from a company that produced a thousand bikes a year into one that can produce thousands each month. ” “The Detroit Bikes factory is configured in a way that is well-suited to an increase of this scale,” said Kiesling. “We need to analyze throughput and effectively use the tools we have at our disposal to ensure successful growth. “

To handle the Increased workload, Detroit Bikes is adding additional positions including welders, wheel builders, powder-coaters, and bike assemblers.

“Things are moving very fast for Detroit Bikes,” explained Detroit Bikes Founder and President, Zak Pashak. “Bringing Chris aboard strengthens our management team at a crucial time. His leadership, and process engineering skill are what we need to continue to grow.”

Kiesling graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in chemical engineering before earning his masters of business administration from the University of Michigan. Prior to joining DTE, Kiesling worked for National Industrial Maintenance and the National Steel Corporation.

Detroit’s only Bike Factory Will Manufacture Limited Edition Bikes in the Motor City

Detroit, Mich. – November 4, 2015 – Stimulating the local economy and advancing the made-in-America movement, Detroit Bikes has launched a Kickstarter campaign to crowd fund its newest bicycle, the C-Type.

The fan-funded campaign aims to raise $100,000 by November 30. Visit the campaign HERE. After opening its retail flagship in the heart of downtown Detroit earlier this year, America’s fastest growing bike manufacturer has set its sights on expanding its global reach.

“Kickstarter is a great way for us to launch a new model,” explained, Detroit Bikes founder and president, Zak Pashak. “Our supporters get first access to limited edition bikes or unique Detroit Bikes items and experiences. At the same time, funding this campaign enables Detroit Bikes to configure our factory for increased production and hire new staff.”

The C-Type is the latest addition to Detroit Bikes’ line of high-quality and affordable bicycles. Retailing for $599, it’s a simple and solid single-speed road bike. Without derailleurs or other gearing systems, it has fewer parts that require maintenance, making it ideal for city commuting or recreational riding in all weather.  

The C-Type is the latest edition to the company’s line of American-made bicycles. Joining the A-Type and B-Type, all three models are manufactured in Detroit Bikes’ 50,000 square-foot factory in Detroit. Available to Kickstarter supporters only, funders can grab limited edition, numbered collectors editions of the C-Type in six unique colors - hunter green, fluorescent yellow, flat black, royal blue, mint green or chrome.

To find out more, go to https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1202301321/the-detroit-bikes-c-type-the-american-single-speed

Detroit Bikes to Manufacture 1,000 Cycling-Inspired Tap Handles for Virtue Cider

Detroit, Mich. – October 20, 2015 – Detroit Bikes has announced an agreement with Virtue Cider to produce 1,000 tap handles for use in bars and restaurants across the United States.

Detroit Bikes, North America's fastest growing bicycle manufacturer, will make the tap handles in its 50,000 square-foot factory in Detroit.

Designed by the Virtue Cider team, the Tap Handles will be constructed from the same American-made steel tubing that Detroit Bikes uses in its bikes.

“This deal is very exciting for us,” said Detroit Bikes president and founder, Zak Pashak. “Not only do we get to partner with a growing Michigan Cider Brewery in Virtue Cider, it’s also an opportunity for Detroit Bikes to demonstrate another side of our manufacturing capabilities.”

Located in Fennville, on Michigan’s west coast, Virtue Cider makes its distinctive beverages from heritage apples grown on the local orchards that surround Virtue Farm.  

“We source all our apples from Michigan and we all ride bikes, so why not have our friends at Detroit Bike make our tap handles right here in Michigan?” Said Gregory Hall, co-founder at Virtue Cider. “It’s a perfect solution.  Plus, they are going to be the coolest tap handles out there.”

About Virtue Cider:

Virtue is the hard cider venture launched in June 2011 by Gregory Hall, former brewmaster at Goose Island, and co-founder Stephen Schmakel.

The company’s mission is to make European-style ciders from fresh heirloom apples – never from concentrate – and employ traditional farmhouse production methods that include native and secondary fermentation, use of wild yeasts, and an expansive barrel-aging program.

For more information about Virtue Cider, head to http://virtuecider.com/morsel-info/?morselid=2757

Capitol Park home to the new Detroit Bikes 1216

Detroit, Mich. – April 30, 2015 – Detroit Bikes, North America's fastest growing manufacturer of bicycles, will open its first retail location at 1216 Griswold in Detroit on May 8^th.

Kicking off at 11 a.m., the all-day event will showcase the company’s hand-made bicycles manufactured in Detroit. The flagship store, Detroit Bikes 1216, is located on the first floor of the Albert apartment building in the heart of Capitol Park.

The 1,200 square-foot space has been restored to reveal ornate crown moldings and stone columns. New features like oak paneling and antique display cases give Detroit Bikes 1216 a vintage feel. In fact, Metzger’s Bicycle Shop, one of Detroit’s historic stores, which stood at 351 Woodward, inspired the new store’s design.

“We can’t wait for people to see it,” said Detroit Bikes President and Founder Zak Pashak. “Detroit Bikes 1216 is beautiful and evokes the city’s rich cycling history.”

In addition to its décor, Detroit Bikes 1216 probably won’t feel like any other bike shop.

“You won’t be overwhelmed by hundreds of different models and your choices won’t be directed by a salesperson,” explained Detroit Bikes Retail Manager, Bill Sirl. “You’ll be able to take your time and decide what interests you.”

Detroit Bikes 1216 will serve as the showroom for the company’s growing line of signature bicycles manufactured in Detroit. In addition to its own cycles, 1216 will feature American made accessories and products by other local makers like Woodward Throwbacks and Better Life Bags. As the first new retailer to move into Capitol Park, Detroit Bikes will expose audiences to a secluded part of downtown that’s undergoing a transformation.

“It’s great to see people filling up some of the blank spaces,” said Josh Greenwood, Owner of Urban Bean Coffee in Capitol Park. “People are starting to get out and venture past their cubicles and explore more of the city.”

The return of high-volume US bike frame manufacturing

DETROIT –August 12, 2013–Detroit Bikes, LLC, rolls-out its new A-Type commuter bicycle Aug. 16 at a launch party at the Old Miami bar on Cass Avenue in Detroit.  The first in a series of such events throughout the United States and Canada, the Detroit launch party will feature displays and demonstrations of the A-Type, complimentary food and a performance by The Detroit Cobras. The party begins at 4:00 pm for media and runs from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm for the general public.

The Detroit Bikes A-Type is the company’s first model, a minimalist bike with smooth shifting three-speed internal gears, a lightweight chromoly-steel frame and a durable, matte-black powder-coat finish.

As you would find in any local bike shop, these bikes are assembled by hand in Detroit. Significantly, Detroit Bikes manufactures each of its A-Type bicycle frames from steel tubing cut, coped, welded and painted in its 50,000 square-foot factory on Elmira Rd.  Detroit Bikes also builds wheels and manufactures the bike's rear rack and chain guard on site.

“We have the capacity to produce 40,000 bikes a year. American bicycle manufacturing hasn't seen this type of mass production start-up in generations” said Zak Pashak, owner and president of Detroit Bikes. "I'm very proud of what the team has achieved so far, and we're just getting going.”

The Canadian roll-out begins Aug. 17 in Windsor and Aug. 21 in Toronto.

The A-Type commuter bicycle is available in the US for a suggested retail price of $550 (USD) and will be available for sale locally at the Wheelhouse on the Detroit River Walk.

Detroit Bikes seeks to encourage cycling by making an accessible, enjoyable bicycle while continuing Detroit's legacy of quality manufacturing and design.  Its headquarters and factory are located at 13639 Elmira Road, Detroit, 48227.  For more information, visit www.detroitbikes.com.

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