Brompton ready to capitalise on everyday cycling boost

Brompton managing director, William Butler-Adams believes the current economic downturn offers his company an opportunity for growth. Speaking on Radio 4 last week, Butler-Adams explained how the financial crash of 2008 resulted in an increase in everyday cycling that boosted sales of the ubiquitous folder.

The famous small-wheeled folding bike is one of the most practical on the road today - an iconic design that has thrived not because of clever marketing or radical styling, but by ensuring function remains a priority.

It’s an approach Butler-Adams expanded on during our interview with him.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v7PcW8samBg

Design

Brompton is a design classic that is practical, easy to use and instantly recognisable. Furthermore, it's a beacon of commercially successful British engineering. Brompton is not only a success in homegrown manufacturing but has helped to revolutionise the way bicycles can be used in this country. The bike's party trick is a clever, bomb-proof folding mechanism that helps commuters bypass onerous regulations that prevent the carrying of full-size bikes on many trains. “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” says Butler-Adams.

Innovation

Andrew Ritchie built the first Brompton bike in 1979. On top of the various improvements that have been made to the design since then, Brompton owners are such a resourceful bunch that they retrofitted electric motors to their folders before any official battery-assist model was launched. And one owner addressed criticism of the Brompton's weight by building one that tips the scales at under 6KG.

Insurance for folding bikers

Brompton, Tern, Dahon, B’Twin...whatever folder you ride, we can cover it.

We’ve been providing specialist cycle insurance for over 30 years and we’re proud to be rated as Britain's most ethical provider by The Good Shopping Guide.

Why insure a folding bike?

The fact folding bikes hold their value makes them especially attractive to thieves, so it pays to get them insured. Not only will a good policy protect you against theft, but you’ll be compensated for accidental damage and get third party cover at no additional cost.

Better still, we offer a discount of 20% insurance on all folding bikes.

Every policy includes:

• Theft, accidental damage and vandalism
• New-for-old replacement - no devaluation no matter the age of your bike
• £2m Third Party cover
• £20k Personal Accident cover
• Family and friends covered
• Cycle Breakdown cover - including punctures
• Replacement cycle hire

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Folding bicycles we cover

Our insurance covers small-wheeled folders from the likes of Brompton, Dahon, Tern, Airnimal, Raleigh and Dawes as well as full-sized folding bicycles like the Montague Paratrooper and Boston 8. The Moulton range of bikes does not fold in the conventional way, but we consider it a folder for the purposes of our insurance. Likewise, electric folding bikes like the GoCycle are covered by our policy.

The ethical choice

The ETA was established in 1990 as an ethical provider of green, reliable travel services. Over 30 years on, we continue to offer cycle insurance , breakdown cover and mobility scooter insurance while putting concern for the environment at the heart of all we do.

The Good Shopping Guide judges us to be the UK's most ethical provider.