BIKE Athletic Company
| Company type | Division (formerly) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Sports apparel and protective gear |
| Founded | 1874 |
| Founder | Charles F. Bennett |
| Fate | Discontinued operations early 2017; relaunched 2021 |
Key people | Alex Angelchik (investor, owner since 2021) |
| Products | Jockstraps, protective gear, athletic footwear, sportswear |
| Parent | Russell Corporation (until 2017) |
| Website | https://bikeathletic.com |
Bike Athletic Company is a U.S.-based manufacturer specializing in sports apparel.
The jockstrap was invented in 1874 by Charles F. Bennett, who worked for the Chicago sporting goods firm Sharp and Smith. He designed this supportive garment to aid bicycle messengers navigating Boston’s uneven cobblestone streets. Bennett later established the Bike Web Company and played a key role in promoting the jockstrap among athletes and manual workers.
On November 30, 1897, Bennett secured a patent for an enhanced design titled "Combined Jock-Strap and Suspensory" under U.S. Patent No. 594,673. This product quickly gained widespread acceptance in organized sports, ultimately influencing the slang term "jock" to describe athletes.
Overview
Bike broadened its offerings by adding protective gear for sports, including versatile knee pads, elbow guards, gloves, shoulder protectors, jerseys, and pants suitable for football, basketball, baseball, and softball. The brand also manufactured athletic footwear and an extensive range of sportswear.
In 2001, Bike became the exclusive helmet provider for the XFL football league, with almost every player outfitted in their helmets.
By 2003, Bike operated as a division of Russell Corporation, itself a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway. Early in 2017, Russell Brands announced the discontinuation of Bike’s operations.
On April 15, 2021, investor Alex Angelchik purchased the brand. Following this acquisition, Bike relaunched its online platform and resumed e-commerce activities, featuring a revamped version of its iconic "No. #10" jockstrap alongside collections of activewear.