Brooklyn Bicycle Co.
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Bicycle manufacturing |
| Founded | August 2011 |
| Founder | Ryan Zagata |
| Headquarters | Williamsburg, Brooklyn , United States |
| Products | Bicycles (Brooklyn Cruiser, Franklin, Bedford, Lorimer, Roebling, Wythe) |
| Website | brooklynbicycleco |
Brooklyn Bicycle Company, located in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York, was established by Ryan Zagata in 2011 under the original name Brooklyn Cruiser.
Background and founding
After transitioning from a career in software, Zagata found inspiration to design bicycles following his relocation to Brooklyn and his experiences with utility bikes in Vietnam. The initial product, the Brooklyn Cruiser, debuted in August 2011 as a functional city bicycle tailored for urban environments, differing notably from traditional off-road mountain bike or road bicycle categories. In 2012, CNN recognized it among "the coolest commutes on two wheels". By 2013, the company surpassed one million dollars in revenue. That same year, Brooklyn Bicycle Co. broadened its offerings with the introduction of the Franklin and Bedford models. In 2016, the brand launched adaptable hybrid bicycles: the Lorimer for women and the Roebling for men. By 2017, the portfolio had expanded to include eight distinct collections.
Design and reception
Bicycles from Brooklyn Bicycle Co. have been acknowledged for their stylish appeal, appearing in magazines such as Vogue, which in 2012 featured the "Willow blue" model paired with a Thakoon Panichgul dress. A limited edition red Brooklyn Cruiser was retailed through the Museum of Modern Art shop in 2013. That year's design, created in collaboration with Grant Petersen of Rivendell Bicycle Works, drew upon influences from 1950s Raleigh bicycles. In 2016, Bicycle Magazine honored the Wythe as one of the Best City Bikes of the year, while The Coolist included it among top commuter bicycles.
Although branded as a Brooklyn company, production of its bicycles takes place in China and Taiwan.