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At Brooklyn Bicycle Co., safety isn't a box we check - it's part of our design DNA and it's built into every detail. From visibility to braking to professional assembly, every element is designed to help keep you safe and confident on the road.
1. Reflective Tires: Safety That Rolls With You
City lights. Car headlights. Street chaos. Our reflective tire sidewalls help you cut through it all.
- The built-in retroreflective stripe uses microscopic elements to bounce light directly back toward its source — making you instantly visible from any angle at night.
- You don't have to think about it or turn it on — it's always there, always working. No batteries. No charging. No forgetting.
- Every model also ships with puncture-resistant tires — a reinforced belt under the tread that reduces the risk of flats from glass, metal, and debris on city streets. A front-wheel flat at speed is one of the most dangerous mechanical failures a cyclist can experience. We take it seriously.
Tire specs: Wythe Fixie (700c x 28c), Driggs 8i Disc (700c x 38c), Roebling and Bedford 8 (model-specific) — all puncture-resistant with reflective sidewall stripe.
2. Retroreflective Decal: Our Logo That Looks Out for You
That Brooklyn Bicycle Co. logo on your frame? It's not just a mark of pride — it's a hidden safety feature.
- The decal is made with retroreflective film — the same technology used in highway road signs and traffic cones.
- Unlike standard reflectors that scatter light in all directions, retroreflective film returns light directly back toward the driver's eyes — creating a dramatically brighter signal at night.
- Subtle by day, standout by night — a detail that's distinctly Brooklyn and genuinely protective.
3. Confidence You Can Feel
We choose components that don't compromise because safety and quality go hand-in-hand.
- Every bike ships with front and rear brakes — including our Wythe fixie. Some competing fixie brands ship with a front brake only, or no brakes at all. We consider dual braking non-negotiable. The Driggs 8i Disc and Willow 8i Disc use Shimano 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes for all-weather precision stopping. The Roebling and Bedford 8 use Tektro mechanical disc brakes. The Wythe, Franklin, and Lorimer use Tektro dual-pivot caliper brakes front and rear.
- Durable materials including 4130 chromoly steel (Wythe) and smooth-welded aluminum (Driggs 8i Disc) — chosen for strength, weight, and ride quality.
- Puncture-resistant tires across all models mean less worry and more riding.
4. Professionally Built — and It's on Us!
Every Brooklyn bike is professionally assembled by a certified local mechanic before you pick it up. This is the most important safety feature we offer — and the one you'll never see.
- Brakes adjusted and tested. Bolts torqued to manufacturer specification. Wheels trued.
- Checked and rechecked by people who build bikes for a living.
- No shortcuts. No wobbly handlebars. No backwards forks.
- It's all included — no extra charge — so you're ride ready from the first pedal. No DIY guesswork or hundreds in extra fees.
Most online bike retailers ship bikes in boxes that require customer assembly. A misadjusted brake, an improperly torqued stem bolt, or an untrued wheel are all safety risks. We eliminated that risk entirely by making professional assembly standard on every order.
5. Tested Where It Matters
Before a Brooklyn bike earns its badge, it's tested on the streets of Brooklyn — the ultimate urban testing ground.
- Potholes, curbs, cobblestones, traffic, taxis — our bikes face it all.
- We ride our own bikes. Our team commutes on them. When we find a problem — a component that loosens, a brake that underperforms in the rain — we fix it before the bike goes to a customer.
- If it survives here, it'll thrive anywhere.
Read more ➜ How Brooklyn Bicycles Earn Their Headbadge
Ride Ready. Ride Safe. Ride Brooklyn.
When you ride a Brooklyn Bicycle Co. bike, you're not just choosing style — you're choosing a bike built for real-world safety and reliability. We know because we ride them ourselves.
Frequently Asked Questions: Brooklyn Bicycle Co. Safety Features
What makes Brooklyn Bicycle Co. bikes among the safest city bikes?
Brooklyn Bicycle Co. builds safety in at multiple levels: every bike is professionally assembled by a certified mechanic before the customer picks it up — brakes adjusted, bolts torqued, wheels trued. Tires feature a built-in retroreflective sidewall stripe for passive night visibility. Frame decals use retroreflective film technology, the same material in road signs. Every bike includes front and rear brakes. All models are tested on Brooklyn streets before going on sale. The company has held these standards since 2011.
What is a retroreflective decal and how is it different from a standard reflector?
Standard reflectors scatter incoming light in all directions (diffuse reflection). Retroreflective film uses glass beads or prismatic microstructures to return light directly back toward its source — toward a driver's eyes. The result is a much brighter, more directional signal at night. Brooklyn Bicycle Co. uses retroreflective film on frame decals and retroreflective material embedded in tire sidewalls. Both are passive, permanent, and require zero maintenance.
Do all Brooklyn Bicycle Co. bikes come with front and rear brakes?
Yes. Every Brooklyn Bicycle Co. bike includes both front and rear brakes — including fixie and single-speed models. The Driggs 8i Disc and Willow 8i Disc use Shimano 2-piston hydraulic disc brakes. The Roebling, Lorimer, Franklin, and Brighton use alloy linear-pull brakes. The Wythe and Bedford use Tektro dual-pivot caliper brakes. Some competing fixie brands ship bikes with front brakes only or no brakes at all — that's not something we'll ever do.
Why does professional assembly matter for bike safety?
A bike is only as safe as how it's assembled. Improperly adjusted brakes can fail to stop the rider in time. A loose stem can cause handlebar rotation mid-turn. An untrued wheel can fail under load. Professional assembly by a certified mechanic — included free on every Brooklyn bike order — ensures every safety-critical system is correctly set up before you ride.
Are puncture-resistant tires actually safer?
Yes. A front-wheel flat at speed is one of the most dangerous mechanical failures a cyclist can experience. Puncture-resistant tires use a reinforced belt under the tread to reduce penetration risk from glass, metal, and debris common on city streets. While no tire is puncture-proof, the risk reduction is meaningful. Brooklyn Bicycle Co. bikes ship with puncture-resistant tires as standard.
How long has Brooklyn Bicycle Co. been building bikes?
Brooklyn Bicycle Co. was founded in 2011 and has been designing and selling urban bikes direct-to-consumer for over 15 years. The company is based in Brooklyn, New York. All bikes are ridden and tested on Brooklyn streets - potholes, cobblestones, traffic, and all - before they ever hit the road.
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We build bikes for vivid lives—for taking adventures, reconnecting with old friends, discovering new neighborhoods and exploring hidden gems. Inspired by the streets of Brooklyn, our bikes are built for style, comfort, and durability. Made with top quality parts, crafted with care, and sold at an affordable price, your bike is yours for life. We scrutinize every component for maximum sustainability and performance, and every millimeter of the frame for ultimate comfort and style. We take pride in our process, in our products, and in the people who sell them.
