They said it'd never work when it was launched, but 33 years after the company was founded Brompton is the biggest bike manufacturer in the UK, knocking out 22,000 bikes a year of which 70% are exported around the world. And to mark that achievement Andrew Ritchie, founder inventor of the Brompton, has been awarded the Prince Philip Designers Prize, awarded annually to recognize a lifetime contribution to design. His Royal Highness made the award at a reception held last night at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Prize.
Run by the Design Council, the Prize recognises the work of the most talented designers and it's the most prestigious award for design in Great Britain. Ritchie came through from a strong field of nominees including Peter Saville, husband and wife team Jay Smith and Howard Milton, David Adjaye, Hussein Chalayan MBE, Wayne Hemingway MBE, and Eric Parry. Two Special Commendations were also awarded by the judges – to Michael Peters OBE and to Jeff Banks CBE.
Speaking after the award, Ritchie said he was “not finished yet”; although he stepped down as Managing Director in April last year he continues to work on the bikes in his capacity as Technical Director. Will Butler-Adams, his successor as MD, said, "This award is well-deserved recognition for a man who has dedicated his life to the fine perfection of the folding bicycle. Andrew never gave up on his belief that he had conceived a product that would add real value to people’s lives; years of knock-backs, refusals and false starts never dented his determination to make the Brompton a reality."
"Over thirty years on from the first prototypes, and with over 175,000 Bromptons being enjoyed all over the world, he has now received this tremendous recognition for his life’s work. The philosophy he instilled in the business continues: we remain committed to British manufacturing and to improving on the Brompton’s ingenious design year on year."
Radar tells me their closing speed, if they are slowing and how far away. Then I decide to say a prayer. The change of light pattern is incidental.
Quite so, which is why our village 20mph zone covers the whole residential extent. Of course, enforcement is another thing..
£4.
No, that's very doubtful while proper testing would be fully destructive.
In that £1000 exactly scenario, beginners should probably be made aware that pedals will be extra.
What's wrong with dropping down on to the Millenium Bridge, or the swing bridge, then the brief, but satisfying climb back up the hill? #training....
The relatives might of course disagree, but in general I'd countenance a relatively light sentence* if only we could fix it so that those who...
Id forgotten that I got a second hand set of project two's for my getting to work bike over twenty years back.
My bet is that all these tires popping off are from people with bad pressure gauges or they're simply just putting too much air in on purpose. ...
David9694 - you were right! These new autonomous vehicles really are conspiring to run out of control!...