There are a couple of relatively new companies making bikes in Detroit.
Shinola makes them (along with watches, leather goods, and journals). Detroit Bicycle Company makes 'em.
So does Detroit Bikes. In fact, the company was started in 2011 by a Canadian man named Zak Pashak. Pashak wanted to invest in alternative transportation and in the city of Detroit (not to mention real estate was affordable). So he set-up shop on the west side and began to hire people from the neighborhood.
The company has about twenty employees and one of the company's goals is to hire people from vocational schools and high schools and help them develop a manufacturing skill set.
As for their product, the company makes a commuter bike in one style and in one color (black). It costs $550 and will be available at stores in the city and around the U.S. Launching parties are planned in mid-August in Detroit, Windsor, and Toronto.
The company's marketing director says the bike is "smooth and light," has good brake control (with both hand and peddle brakes), and can "zip around very fast."
