On this day in 2007, bike factory workers who were occupying their workplace in Nordhausen, Germany announced their plan to begin producing a limited edition "Strike Bike", bought as a pre-order to help initiate production.
When a bike factory's closing was announced in Nordhausen, Germany, striking workers there occupied the factory in protest in July 2007. Although the owners of the factory attempted to evict the workers, courts ruled in favor of the workers when they claimed that they were simply holding a lengthy staff meeting.
When news of the occupation spread, some leftists traveled to Nordhausen and suggested beginning worker-managed production of bicycles. Although the striking workers were skeptical initially, this suggestion was eventually adopted.
On September 21st, 2007, striking workers announced their plan to begin producing a limited edition "Strike Bike". Bought as a pre-order to help initiate production, the Strike Bike quickly sold out and production was set to begin on October 22nd.