Lotus bicycles were introduced in the autumn of 1979 for the 1980 model year. The brand was owned by Alpha Cycle & Supply Corp., a NYC based bicycle distributor owned by Sidney Star and which also imported and distributed Windsor bicycles from Acer-Mex in Mexico. The end date is a bit murkier because after Sidney died, his son licensed out the brand name. The last year for Lotus bicycles under direct control of the original owners appears to be circa 1990-1991.