by
Photo: Brompton
Brompton’s handmade foldable bike have taken the world by storm, going from cult favourite commuter’s delight to common sight, especially in crowded cities where space is king. Demand for the lightweight last-mile solutions – which saw a boom during the pandemic – is so strong that the British company wheels out almost 100,000 of them a year.
But December 7 marked a monumental occasion for the company: that was the day the millionth Brompton was built, some 47 years after it was incepted in Greenford, London. After all, it’s often said that the first million is the hardest.
’80s-era Mark One Inspired
Photo: Brompton
In commemoration of the special moment, the millionth bike was given a unique, one-of-one red livery inspired by one of the brand’s original models, an ’80s-era Mark One. Other design touchpoints to set it apart from the flock include a one-of-a-kind million decal, an ID plate and aluminium elements. The special bike was also signed by current CEO Will Butler-Adams as well as founder and inventor of the Brompton, Andrew Ritchie.
The foldable bike isn’t destined for a dusty museum just yet – instead, it’s scheduled for an international tour heading to 16 cities worldwide over the course of the year.
Photo: Brompton
The hope? That thousands of Brompton fans’ behinds would grace the seat of the hallowed bike as part of an initiative aimed at celebrating the foldable bike’s impact on commuters’ everyday lives. The campaign also looks to celebrate the community built by the Brompton (which has numerous fan clubs worldwide), as well as champion a greener future “powered by bikes”.
“This is a magic moment in Brompton’s history, and we want to celebrate it with the people that made it happen,” said Butler-Adams in a press release.
“Since the first bike in 1975, a Brompton has always been built to be ridden, and the millionth is no different. Instead of putting it on display somewhere, we want it flying down the Mall in London, across Orchard Road in Singapore, along the Sein in Paris, exploring and moving through cities as it’s always meant to,” he continued.
Photo: Brompton
Is that a hint that the Brompton will be coming to Singapore? Stay tuned for further details of the tour released here, should you wish to follow the bike’s progress across the globe. And if it does come tour shores, that’s your cue to whip out your own foldable – electric or otherwise – to join in the celebration.
“There’s nobody better to do this than our community who have an open invite to ride the bike as we take it around the world,” added Butler-Adams. “Alongside riding, this tour will celebrate our long-standing belief that when you embrace different together, the possibilities are endless – from getting more people to swap fossil fuel powered transport for cycling, to building products that last decades not years, we want to continue to inspire new ways of doing things.”
READ NOW:
Ride and race with the new Trek Madone SLR 9 road bike
Everyone’s Favourite Foldable Bike Just Got Much Lighter
Capri’s Futuristic E-Bikes Boast A Classic Look
