Brompton bicycles held up as best of British

Vince Cable and Nick Clegg this week visited Brompton, Britain’s largest bicycle manufacturer, to promote manufacturing in Britain and encourage more young people to consider careers in engineering and manufacturing.

Managing Director William Butler-Adams said of the visit: “Many are all too quick to write off UK manufacturing as dead and buried but if you look a little closer you’ll find a lot of small, entrepreneurial companies that are exciting, innovative and prosperous.”

“Design classic”

Andrew Ritchie built the first Brompton bike in 1979 and has been refining the design ever since. The British-built Brompton now sells across the world and such is its success that the company struggles to keep up with orders.

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The Brompton is a design classic – it is practical, easy to use and instantly recognisable.”

Bike-ban beater

Brompton is not only a success in British manufacturing but has revolutionised the way bicycles can be used in this country; its clever folding mechanism allows thousands of commuters each day to bypass the onerous regulations that prevent many cyclists from carrying their full-size bikes on trains.

Best-value cycle insurance for folding bikes

ETA cycle insurance offers a discount on all folding bicycles includes new-for-old replacement and accidental damage, third party insurance, personal accident cover and if you breakdown, you will be recovered from anywhere in Britain (this service alone costs £35 a year when bought separately).