1975: Brompton Bicycle, The Folding Revolution - Pivotal Moments
Welcome to a new spin on Pivotal Moments blog. If you follow us on social media, you'll know what this is all about. To paraphrase Confucius, it's only by knowing where we've been that we can understand where we're going.
"Study the past if you would divine the future."
—Confucius
Where would we be today without the ingenious folding bicycle? It's one of the most brilliant urban mobility solutions, and it's not hard to see why.
The compact design, the seamless transformation, and the promise of practical transport wherever you go. These days, many cities have dedicated cycling infrastructure, bike-sharing programs, and a growing community of commuters who've embraced two wheels over four. Living without practical mobility solutions in congested cities is challenging to understand these days. Folding bikes have made life more efficient, environmentally friendly, and liberating in more ways than it's possible to count.
But once upon a time, it was a passing idea. A trivial thought that might not have gone anywhere. Yet it did. And here's how.
Will Butler-Adams and Andrew Ritchie with an early Brompton in their warehouse.
What is Brompton?
Brompton, or the modern folding bicycle revolution, is precisely what it sounds like—a meticulously engineered bike that folds into a compact package small enough to take on public transport, store under a desk, or tuck away in the smallest urban apartment. You might have looked at the title of this post and thought, wait - wasn't Brompton just a one-man operation in 1975? That's true, but it doesn't mean the seeds of a revolution weren't planted.
The folding bicycle industry is a continually growing phenomenon whose experts and players develop innovations and refinements yearly. However, this is possible due to the original folding bikes that began appearing in the early 20th century. And, of course, the concept of multimodal transport, with which the history of Brompton is closely intertwined.
As we know it today, Brompton wasn't possible until Andrew Ritchie's engineering breakthrough in the 1970s. But the idea of folding transportation had been percolating for decades.
In the early 1970s, Andrew Ritchie, a Cambridge-educated engineer and landscape gardener, was intrigued by the Bickerton folding bicycle. While impressed with the concept, Ritchie believed he could create something more elegant and practical—a bike that would fold more compactly while maintaining the ride quality of a conventional bicycle. This vision would lead to one of the most iconic designs in cycling history.
The Inventor
Andrew Ritchie wasn't just another tinkerer with a good idea—he was the embodiment of British invention at its finest. Born in 1947 and educated at Cambridge University with a degree in engineering, Ritchie possessed both the theoretical knowledge and practical mindset needed to solve complex mechanical problems.
Unlike many inventors who stumble upon their creations, Ritchie approached the folding bicycle with deliberate intent. After seeing the Bickerton folding bicycle at a party hosted by a friend, he was simultaneously impressed and disappointed—impressed by the concept, disappointed by the execution. The Bickerton was innovative but lacked refinement and ride quality. Ritchie believed he could do better.
What made Ritchie unique was his perfectionism and patience. For years, he worked on prototype after prototype, refining the design while living frugally in a flat overlooking the Brompton Oratory in South Kensington, London—which would later lend its name to his creation. His early workshop was his bedroom, where he meticulously crafted components and tested iterations.
Ritchie wasn't simply designing a folding mechanism; he was creating an entirely new approach to urban transportation. He understood that for a folding bike to succeed, it needed to ride like a conventional bicycle while folding more compactly than anything on the market. This seemingly contradictory set of requirements demanded innovative engineering solutions that would ultimately define the Brompton.
Pivotal Moment - The First Brompton
An early photograph of Brompton inventor, Andrew Ritchie, demonstrating the bicycle.
The first functional Brompton prototype emerged in 1975, created in Ritchie's flat overlooking the Brompton Oratory in London. The name "Brompton" was a natural choice, tying the bicycle to its birthplace and giving it a distinctly British identity.
What made the Brompton design revolutionary wasn't just that it folded—folding bicycles had existed since the early 1900s—but how it folded. Ritchie's ingenious mechanism allowed the rear wheel to tuck under, the front wheel to swing alongside, and the entire package to become astonishingly compact without compromising structural integrity or ride quality.
The original design featured a three-part fold that could be completed in under 20 seconds: the rear wheel would swing under the frame, the main frame would fold in the middle, and the handlebars would fold down. The result was a package roughly 23 × 23 × 10 inches (585 × 585 × 254 mm)—small enough to fit under a desk, in a car trunk, or on a crowded train.
Ritchie's background in engineering shone through in every aspect of the design. The Brompton wasn't just about folding; it was about solving multiple challenges simultaneously. The bike needed to be lightweight yet strong, compact yet comfortable to ride, simple yet sophisticated. Every component—from the hinges to the frame tubes to the clever chain tensioner—was carefully considered and precisely executed.
Early Bromptons were handcrafted affairs, with Ritchie personally building each bike. The frames were brazed (a process similar to welding but using brass as the joining material) rather than welded, creating stronger, more refined joints. This meticulous approach to manufacturing would become a Brompton hallmark, even as production scaled up decades later.
The Struggle and Breakthrough
Unlike overnight success stories, Brompton's journey was one of persistence through adversity. Ritchie spent years refining his design while seeking financial backing. In 1976, he approached several bicycle manufacturers, including Raleigh, but was rejected. Undeterred, he continued improving his prototypes.
By 1977, Ritchie had secured some financial backing and produced 30 bikes for early customers. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, but scaling up production proved challenging. In 1979, production stopped entirely when the initial investment was exhausted.
A cultural icon, Brompton became synonymous with British Culture much like “a nice cuppa”.
For the next several years, Ritchie continued to refine his design while working other jobs to make ends meet. He never abandoned his vision, despite numerous setbacks. In 1981, he secured another round of funding from Julian Vereker (founder of Naim Audio) and began producing small batches of improved Bromptons.
The turning point came in 1987 when Brompton won the Best Product Award at the Cyclex show in London. This recognition finally gave the brand the visibility it deserved. The following year, with additional investment, Ritchie established a dedicated factory in Brentford, West London, and began scaling up production properly.
"Every rejection just made me more determined," Ritchie would later recall. "I knew I had created something special, something that solved a real problem. It was just a matter of finding the right people who could see that vision."
From Cult Object to Global Icon
Throughout the 1990s, Brompton steadily built its reputation as the gold standard in folding bicycles. While production numbers remained modest compared to mainstream bicycle manufacturers, the company cultivated a devoted following of urban commuters, travelers, and design enthusiasts who appreciated the bike's ingenious engineering and practical benefits.
What set Brompton apart from competitors was its unwavering commitment to quality and continuous improvement. Rather than chasing trends or cutting costs, Ritchie and his team focused on refining the original design, making it more reliable, more user-friendly, and more versatile without altering its fundamental principles.
By the early 2000s, as urban congestion worsened and environmental concerns grew, the Brompton found itself perfectly positioned for a new generation of city dwellers seeking practical transportation alternatives. The bike's ability to integrate seamlessly with public transit made it ideal for "multimodal" commuting—riding to the station, folding the bike, taking the train, then unfolding and riding to the final destination.
The Butler-Adams Era
The most significant transformation in Brompton's modern history came with the arrival of Will Butler-Adams. Joining the company in 2002 as an engineer, Butler-Adams quickly proved himself to be not just technically skilled but also possessed of remarkable business acumen and visionary leadership qualities that complemented Ritchie's inventive genius.
Butler-Adams, a Cambridge-educated mechanical engineer with previous experience at chemical company ICI, brought a fresh perspective to Brompton. Where Ritchie was the quintessential inventor-perfectionist, Butler-Adams was an energetic modernizer who saw Brompton's potential to become a global brand while maintaining its commitment to quality and British manufacturing.
By 2005, Butler-Adams had become Managing Director, working alongside Ritchie to chart a new course for the company. The partnership proved extraordinarily fruitful—Ritchie's uncompromising standards for design and engineering combined with Butler-Adams' commercial vision and operational expertise.
"What Andrew created is extraordinary," Butler-Adams would later say. "My job has been to take that brilliance and make it accessible to more people around the world while never compromising what makes a Brompton special."
Under Butler-Adams' leadership, Brompton underwent a remarkable transformation from a small, cult manufacturer to a global mobility brand. Production increased from around 6,000 bikes annually when he joined to over 45,000 by the late 2010s. The company expanded its London factory, invested in new manufacturing technologies while maintaining its commitment to hand-building frames, and developed a robust global distribution network.
Butler-Adams also recognized the importance of brand experience. Under his guidance, Brompton opened flagship stores in major cities worldwide, creating spaces where potential customers could experience the bikes firsthand and become part of the Brompton community. These retail environments weren't just sales outlets; they were embassies for the Brompton lifestyle.
Perhaps most importantly, Butler-Adams spearheaded Brompton's entrance into the electric bike market. Recognizing the transformative potential of adding electric assistance to the Brompton's already versatile design, he led a multi-year development process that culminated in the launch of the Brompton Electric in 2017—a product that maintained the original bike's folding magic while adding a perfectly integrated electric drive system.
For his contributions to British manufacturing and exports, Butler-Adams was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2014, joining Andrew Ritchie in receiving royal recognition for their work with Brompton.
The relationship between Ritchie and Butler-Adams exemplifies how founder-led innovation can be successfully paired with modern business leadership—a rare combination that has allowed Brompton to grow dramatically while remaining true to its founding principles.
"Will brought energy, ambition, and structure to Brompton without ever losing sight of what made it special in the first place," one longtime employee noted. "He understood that Brompton wasn't just making products; it was creating solutions to urban problems."
The company expanded its range to include different handlebar styles, gearing options, and accessories, allowing customers to personalize their Bromptons for specific needs while maintaining the core folding mechanism that made the bike special. This adaptability helped Brompton appeal to a broader audience beyond cycling enthusiasts.
In 2005, Brompton introduced a customisation program that allowed customers to select from different colours and specifications, creating thousands of possible combinations. This approach turned buying a Brompton into a personal experience rather than a simple transaction, further strengthening customer loyalty.
Watch episode 3 of Pivotal Moments as Tait Pollack sits down with Will Butler-Adams to uncover how Brompton grew from 27 to over 800 people — and became one of the most iconic British brands in the process.
Ritchie's Later Path
While Andrew Ritchie remained the heart and soul of Brompton for decades, his relationship with the company evolved over time. In 2008, after over 30 years at the helm, Ritchie stepped back from day-to-day operations, taking on the role of Technical Director to focus on what he loved most: engineering and innovation.
In 2009, Ritchie was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for his services to business and innovation, recognition of his unique contribution to British design and manufacturing. The honor was particularly meaningful as it acknowledged not just the commercial success of Brompton but the persistence and vision that had made it possible.
Though increasingly less involved in daily operations, Ritchie continued to influence the company's direction, ensuring that Brompton remained true to its founding principles even as it expanded globally. His legacy was further cemented in 2015 when he was inducted into the Royal Academy of Engineering, one of the highest honors for a British engineer.
Today, while Ritchie has largely retired from active involvement with the company, his influence remains evident in every Brompton that rolls off the production line. The basic folding mechanism—the stroke of genius that launched the brand—remains essentially unchanged, a testament to the perfection of the original design.
As Ritchie himself once remarked, "I never set out to create a design classic or start a movement. I simply wanted to solve a problem: how to create a bicycle that could be taken anywhere without compromise. That the solution has resonated with so many people around the world is both surprising and deeply gratifying."
The Global Brompton Community
Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Brompton's success is the community that has formed around the brand. Unlike most consumer products, Bromptons inspire a unique devotion among owners, who often see their bikes as companions rather than mere possessions.
This sense of community manifests in Brompton World Championship events held in cities around the globe, where participants race on their folding bikes—often while wearing business attire, highlighting the bike's role as a practical transportation tool rather than just a sporting good.
Brompton owners share maintenance tips, customization ideas, and travel stories online, creating a global network united by their appreciation for this uniquely British invention. Social media groups dedicated to Brompton owners count tens of thousands of members, and group rides bring together Brompton enthusiasts from all walks of life.
The Brompton has transcended its status as a mere product to become a cultural phenomenon and lifestyle choice. Owners speak of their Bromptons with an affection usually reserved for living things, giving them names and developing deep attachments to these mechanical companions that accompany them through daily life.
The Electric Evolution
In 2017, Brompton took perhaps its biggest leap forward since the original design when it introduced the Brompton Electric. Maintaining the iconic folding mechanism while incorporating a lightweight battery and hub motor, the Electric expanded the bike's appeal to an even broader audience.
The development of the electric model perfectly illustrated Brompton's approach to innovation: rather than rushing to market with an inferior product, the company spent years ensuring that the electric version maintained all the qualities that made the original special—compact fold, excellent ride quality, and reliable engineering—while adding power assistance for longer commutes, steeper hills, or riders seeking less exertion.
The Electric model opened up cycling to people who might have previously considered themselves unable to commute by bike due to fitness, age, or distance. It also positioned Brompton at the intersection of multiple significant trends: urbanization, environmental consciousness, and technological integration.
The Legacy
From a single determined engineer working in his bedroom to a global brand with flagships stores in London, New York, Beijing, Tokyo, and beyond, Brompton has demonstrated how visionary design can transform urban mobility. Today, the company produces over 45,000 bicycles annually, with each one still manufactured in London—a commitment to British manufacturing that has become increasingly rare.
The genius of the Brompton is that it solved multiple problems simultaneously: how to maintain the riding characteristics of a full-sized bicycle while creating a truly portable package; how to integrate cycling with other forms of transport; how to own a bicycle in space-constrained urban environments. This holistic approach to design has kept the Brompton relevant for nearly five decades while countless other products have come and gone.
Andrew Ritchie's creation, now guided by Will Butler-Adams' business acumen, has influenced everything from urban planning to fashion, proving that thoughtful engineering can have impacts far beyond its intended purpose. The Brompton anticipates a future where transportation is multimodal, flexible, and personal—a vision increasingly aligned with the needs of 21st-century cities.
Perhaps most significantly, the Brompton story demonstrates the value of perseverance in pursuit of a genuinely better solution. When Ritchie first began working on his design in 1975, few could have predicted the global impact his creation would have. That his vision survived rejection, financial hardship, and skepticism to become a design icon speaks to both the brilliance of the concept and the determination of its creator.
In an age of planned obsolescence and disposable consumer goods, the Brompton stands as a reminder that truly great design can be timeless. Many Bromptons from the 1980s and 1990s remain in daily use—maintained, repaired, and cherished by their owners. It's not merely a product but a lifelong companion, adaptable to changing circumstances and needs.
As cities worldwide grapple with congestion, pollution, and the need for more sustainable transportation, the elegant solution that Andrew Ritchie created in his London flat continues to offer a path forward—proof that sometimes the most revolutionary ideas come not from massive corporations but from determined individuals with a clear vision and the persistence to make it reality.
What do you think?
Are you a Brompton owner or have you considered incorporating a folding bike into your commute? How has the way we move through cities changed since Brompton's invention in 1975?
