Centre for Advanced Studies

Andrew Ritchie, designer of the Brompton folding bicycle and founder of Brompton Bicycles - Brompton Bicycles: the story so far

Launching the University’s Raleigh Bike Project, where leading academics and local communities explore the history and legacy of bicycle manufacture on what is now the Jubilee Campus, Ritchie delivered an entertaining talk about the development of this famous folding cycle, his innovative approach to design, to creating a company and what distinguishes the company today.  

The Brompton is a hand built bike which, in all its manifestations, rides superbly, is safe, agile and fast, yet folds easily and quickly into a highly-compact and portable package.  

Andrew Ritchie left university in 1968 with degree in Engineering; he started out in the nascent field of computing, but soon realised he preferred the idea of being self-employed. Before long he found himself working as a landscape gardener but a chance meeting with a backer of the fledgling Bickerton folding bicycle changed his life.

See the gallery below for images of the event.

Andrew Ritchie and Paul Smith with a Bickerton bike.
 

 

The Sustrans Group from Derby

The Sustrans Group from Derby
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Feb 29, 2012
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The Sustrans Group from Derby

Gordon McGowan with a P6R Brompton

Gordon McGowan with a P6R Brompton
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Feb 29, 2012
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Gordon McGowan with a P6R Brompton

Andrew Martin with a Brompton 6 speed

Andrew Martin with a Brompton 6 speed
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Feb 29, 2012
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Andrew Martin with a Brompton 6 speed

Andrew Ritchie and Paul Smith

Andrew Ritchie and Paul Smith
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Feb 29, 2012
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Andrew Ritchie and Paul Smith

Collection of Brompton Bikes

Collection of Brompton Bikes
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Feb 29, 2012
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Collection of Brompton Bikes

Andrew Ritchie

Andrew Ritchie
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Feb 29, 2012
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Andrew Ritchie
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