| 1949 |
Bridgestone
Bicycle Co., Ltd. was established as a result of Bridgestone
Tire Co., Ltd. spinning off one of its divisions. |
| 1951 |
Bridgestone
Bicycle obtained a patent on the manufacture of bicycle
bodies via the die cast method in Japan, Britain, France,
Holland and Italy. |
| 1953 |
Otani
Machinery Industry Co., Ltd. (the predecessor of Bridgestone
Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd.) was established. |
| 1960 |
Bridgestone
Bicycle Co., Ltd. built its Ageo Plant in Ago, Saitama
Prefecture.
The Company began manufacturing motorbikes named Bridgestone
Champion., as well as motor bicycles, after incorporating
the small engine division of Prince Motor Co., Ltd.
(an associated company). Bridgestone Bicycle was
renamed
Bridgestone Cycle Industry Co., Ltd. |
| 1966 |
Bridgestone
Cycle Industry received the industry's first Good Design
Award for "Super Light" (comfort) and "Jet
Bambi" (kids [tricycle:]). |
| 1968 |
The
Company received the industry's first Okochi Memorial
Production Award, in recognition of its innovative bicycle
frame manufacturing method (based on the die cast method)
as an excellent research result leading to reduced costs
and improved productivity. |
| 1969 |
The
Company and Belgium's Bekaert Engineering concluded
a technical support agreement on machinery for manufacturing
tire steel cords. |
| 1970 |
The
Company newly established its Industrial Machinery Division
(former Precision Machinery Division), and began producing
machinery for manufacturing tire steel cords. |
| 1971 |
The
Company's Kisai Plant was established in Kisai-cho,
Kitasaitama-gun, Saitama Prefecture; and started operation. |
| 1976 |
The
Company was renamed Bridgestone Cycle Co., Ltd. Its
Saga Plant was established in Kitashigeyasu-cho, Miyaki-gun,
Saga Prefecture; and started operation. |
| 1978 |
Otani
Machinery Industry Co., Ltd. was renamed Bridgestone
Industrial Machinery Co., Ltd. |
| 1982 |
Bridgestone
Cycle Co., Ltd. developed the belt drive system. |
| 1984 |
The
Company developed the gear type non-stage transmission. |
| 1985 |
The
Company began using new materials (aluminum, carbon
etc.) for mass-producing bicycle frames, following its
development of the structural adhesion method. |
| 1986 |
The
Company developed the four-stage transmission for the
front interior. |
| 1987 |
The
Company received the Japan Invention Special Award for
its belt drive mechanism (floating gear method). |
| 1988 |
The
Company developed the FFS (Fami-com Fitness System);
and began producing order-made systems called Taylor-Made. |
| 1989 |
The
Company developed the Dyna Ridge tire with Bridgestone
Corporation. It also developed "Minna," a
new tricycle (two front and one rear). |
| 1990 |
The
Company developed the Auto Light, a new power generation
system. |
| 1991 |
The
Company developed the Neo-Cot Frame using the optimum
shape theory. Bridgestone Industrial Machinery Co.,
Ltd. moved to Higashimatsuyama, and started operation
there. |
| 1993 |
Bridgestone
Cycle's Kawasato Plant was established in Kawasato Village,
Kitasaitama-gun, Saitama Prefecture; and started operation. |
| 1994 |
The
Company established 
in China as a joint venture. It also developed the Neo-Cot
carbon monocoque frame. |
| 1995 |
The
Company developed a comfort bicycle with single-pivot
suspension. |
| 1997 |
The
Company merged with Bridgestone Industrial Machinery
Co., Ltd. |
| 1998 |
The
Company received a Good Design Award (Grand Prix) for
Transit, a cantilever type shaft drive bicycle. It also
developed a bicycle with electronically controlled automatic
transmission; a "keyless key"; and Anchor,
a top quality sport bicycle. |
| 1999 |
The
Company developed a series of car bicycles named the
Transit Series.
The Company dissolved the joint venture with  ,
and reorganized
into  |
| 2000 |
The
Company developed Tough Road Tires jointly with Bridgestone
Corporation.
The Company developed Bridgestone/Moulton, jointly with
Britain's Alex Moulton Bicycles. |
| 2001 |
The
Company introduced a hit product "Albelt,"
featuring a combination of an aluminum frame with a
belt drive mechanism.
The Company developed the world's first air pressure
checker, allowing users to visually determine the optimum
air pressure. |
| 2002 |
The
Company developed Raku-Raku, a bicycle with a comfortable
seat permitting the adjustment of saddle height via
a hand lever.
The Company developed Alsus, a bicycle with hyper-suspension.
|
| 2003 |
he
Company developed double locks, permitting the simultaneous
locking of rear wheel and handle; and the White Beam
Auto Light, a LED light that is bright and does not
burn out.
The Company developed Abios, a "new concept bicycle"
for adults (especially baby boomers). |
| 2004 |
The
Company jointly developed Air Hub, that always ensures
a comfortable ride by sending air automatically into
the tire tube during the wheel rotation; and Raku-Start,
a mechanism to ensure an easy and stable start. |
| 2005 |
We
developed the Super Angel Seat by scientifically
analyzing the safety of children,
and the Angelino bicycle for transporting children,
which is equipped with the "Temoto de Lock" feature
that enables the rider to activate the lock without
having
to remove a hand from the handlebars.
A three-seat bicycle taxi based on our power-assisted
models operated in the grounds of the Aichi Exposition. |
| 2006 |
We developed two bicycles in our
Relaxybike easy-to-ride town models, called the Veltro
and the Vegas. We also developed the Orby, which was
aimed at increased demand in the sports bike market,
and the Angelino R, which is fitted with a rear seat
for children. |
| 2007 |
Our machining division became independent
on April 1. |
