Ft. Collins, Colo. – For the first time ever, New Belgium Brewing is producing its coveted special edition cruiser bikes in the U.S., using Detroit Bikes, a Detroit-based bicycling manufacturer and North America’s largest bicycle producer. Just in time for warmer weather, the bikes are now hitting the streets through New Belgium fundraisers, giveaways and as one-year anniversary gifts to New Belgium co-workers. The partnership has created new manufacturing jobs in Detroit with the company doubling its workforce from 20 to 40 employees.
“As I started to think about production and making bikes back in 2011, Detroit was the best place to look,” noted Zak Pashak, Founder and President of Detroit Bikes. “Detroit has such a rich history of production and certainly we’ve benefited greatly with a skilled local workforce. This partnership is hugely exciting because it marks a big shift in the industry and an amazing show of support for American bike manufacturing.”
Detroit Bikes will produce about 2,500 cruiser bikes during this first year. So far about 1,000 bikes have been released, with about 40 bikes going out a day.
“Bikes are a big part of our history and culture so partnering with Detroit Bikes just made sense in every way,” said New Belgium Brewing Bike Designer, Ryan McKee. “Zak first reached out to us and we were inspired by his vision. We’ve been looking to source U.S. made bikes for some time, which isn’t easy at scale. We now get to work with a U.S. bike manufacturer to produce thousands of bikes, while also giving an economic boost to Detroit.”
With this year marking New Belgium’s 25th anniversary, an anniversary celebration will be held with Detroit Bikes later this summer.
To learn more about Detroit Bikes’ story and the New Belgium partnership visit – NewBelgium.com/Detroit-Bikes.
About New Belgium Brewing Company
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100% employee-owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses, and a Certified B Corp. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews thirteen year-round beers; Citradelic Tangerine IPA, Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Slow Ride Session IPA, Snapshot Wheat, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Ale, Blue Paddle Pilsner, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel and a gluten-reduced line, Glutiny Pale Ale and Glutiny Golden Ale. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.
About Detroit Bikes:
Founded in 2011, Detroit Bikes are built in a city with a rich tradition of skilled manufacturing and innovative design. Located on Detroit’s west side at 13639 Elmira Street, the company’s 50,000 square-foot factory has the capacity to produce 100 bicycles a day. Detroit Bikes is making quality bicycles accessible to everyone while bringing hi-volume bike manufacturing back to the United States. For more information, visit: http://detroitbikes.com/.