Bickerton

Bickerton was a British portable folding-bicycle brand created by engineer Harry Bickerton. Its defining product was an unusually light aluminium bicycle designed to be carried on public transport or stored in the boot of a small car. The concept emerged after Bickerton lost the use of his car following a driving ban in 1970. Rather than adapting a conventional folding bicycle, he developed a new machine around portability, using aluminium profiles and mechanical clamps instead of welded frame construction. The first prototype was exceptionally light for its period, weighing about 8.8 kg, and folded to approximately 76 by 51 by 23 cm. Production began in 1972 at Codicote in Hertfordshire. Early output was modest, but the design attracted commercial attention because it addressed the practical problem of combining cycling with trains, buses, car travel, boating and short urban journeys. The bicycle used a small front wheel, adjustable handlebar and seat arrangements, and a dedicated carrying bag that could also serve as a handlebar-mounted pannier. A manufacturing licence acquired by TCK Group of Aston helped increase production during the 1973 oil crisis, when interest in fuel-saving transport rose. Bickerton was promoted on television with the slogan “Go bag a Bickerton,” emphasizing both the bicycle’s portability and its carrying bag. The brand became an important early influence on the modern folding-bike market; Andrew Ritchie later cited the Bickerton as one of the inspirations behind the Brompton bicycle. The original British business entered bankruptcy by 1977 amid a worldwide recession and declining sales. Harry Bickerton recovered the licence and subsequently transferred it to an Australian company based in Melbourne. Australian production and international licensing expanded the brand into Germany, the United States and Sweden, with overseas bicycles assembled from kits shipped from Australia. Approximately 50,000 Australian Bickertons were produced before Australian manufacturing ended in 1982. Production later resumed in the United Kingdom from Welwyn Garden City and continued into the late 1980s. The range evolved from early three-speed and five-speed Sturmey-Archer hub models to a short-lived six-speed derailleur version. A larger-wheeled Country model was introduced in 1988. Despite its engineering originality, the Bickerton faced increasing competition from heavier but cheaper folding bicycles and from newer, more compact designs, particularly the steel-framed Brompton. Production ended in 1989, although the factory remained open until 1991. The Bickerton name was relaunched at the Munich Bike show in 2011 for its fortieth anniversary. Mark Bickerton, Harry’s son, became involved in product development, marketing and sales. The relaunched bicycles were manufactured by Tern in Taiwan, with some production in Vietnam, and combined the historical brand identity with updated aluminium frames and contemporary gearing. The available reference material does not establish the brand’s current ownership, operating status or complete present-day product range.

Harry Bickerton developed the Bickerton portable bicycle in the early 1970s. The immediate practical motivation was personal: after a car crash and a resulting three-year driving ban in 1970, Bickerton sought a form of transport that could be carried on public transport or stored in a very small car. His solution differed substantially from the common folding bicycles of the period, which generally used conventional steel frames and a central hinge. Bickerton instead designed a lightweight aluminium machine using formed profiles and clamps, avoiding welded construction in the original prototype. The prototype weighed approximately 8.8 kg and folded into a compact package measuring about 76 by 51 by 23 cm. This portability was the central feature of the product. The bicycle could be used for short-distance travel after a train journey, kept in a car or boat, or carried and stored in situations where a full-size bicycle was impractical. Adjustable handlebar and saddle arrangements allowed it to accommodate riders of different heights, while a purpose-designed bag protected and carried the folded bicycle. The bag could also be attached to the handlebars as a pannier. Commercial production started in 1972 at Codicote in Hertfordshire, initially at approximately 300 bicycles during the first two years. The production model was slightly heavier than the prototype and was strengthened for riders heavier than Bickerton. TCK Group of Aston acquired a manufacturing licence and increased output to roughly 1,000 bicycles per year. The 1973 oil crisis created a favourable environment for products marketed as economical alternatives to car travel, and Bickerton received television promotion built around the phrase “Go bag a Bickerton.” The business encountered financial difficulty during the worldwide recession of the mid-1970s and was bankrupt by 1977. Bickerton regained control of the licence and then licensed production to an Australian company based in Melbourne. That arrangement created international sales licences covering Germany, the United States and Sweden. In those markets, bicycles were assembled from kits exported from Australia. Later Australian models incorporated structural changes, including additional struts supporting the handlebar and seat stems. Around 50,000 Australian Bickertons were made before Australian production ended in 1982. British production resumed from Welwyn Garden City and continued with a revised range through the late 1980s. The brand offered hub-geared versions, initially with three speeds and later five, as well as a six-speed derailleur model near the end of production. A Country model with larger 20-inch wheels appeared in 1988. The larger wheels addressed some practical riding limitations but increased the size and weight of a product whose main selling point was compact portability. The design’s advantages were accompanied by compromises. Early bicycles could feel flexible, particularly for taller or heavier riders, because of the long handlebar, frame and seat-post structures. The numerous clamps required careful tightening, and the small front wheel and straight pressed-aluminium fork behaved differently from a conventional bicycle. The handlebar-mounted bag also required careful loading because excessive weight could affect steering and place stress on the clamps. Long seat posts could develop stress fractures. These characteristics limited the bicycle’s appeal as folding bicycles became more sophisticated and widely available. Bickerton nevertheless held historical importance in the development of portable bicycles. Andrew Ritchie identified it as one of the inspirations for the Brompton, whose steel construction, compact folding format and mass production later made it a powerful competitor. By 1989, cheaper folding bicycles were widely available and the Bickerton factory ceased production, although it did not close until 1991. Mark Bickerton subsequently explored diversification, including the rebranding and sale of lower-cost Dahon folders. The brand returned in 2011 at the Munich Bike show for its fortieth anniversary. The relaunch involved Mark Bickerton and used contemporary bicycles manufactured by Tern in Taiwan, with some units built in Vietnam. The updated range retained the Bickerton association with aluminium folding bicycles while incorporating modern designs and gearing. The supplied references do not provide enough information to determine the brand’s ownership or status after the relaunch.

• 2011

  Brand relaunched at Munich Bike show

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  Bickerton returned for its fortieth anniversary with updated aluminium folding bicycles manufactured by Tern in Taiwan and, for some production, Vietnam.

• 1991

  Welwyn Garden City factory closes

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  The factory remained open for a period after bicycle production ended and did not close its doors until 1991.

• 1989

  Original production ends

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  Bickerton production ended after growing competition from cheaper and more compact folding bicycles.

• 1988

  Country model introduced

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  Bickerton introduced the Country model with larger 20-inch wheels, although it was sold only briefly.

• 1982

  Australian production ends

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  Australian production ended after approximately 50,000 bicycles had been made there.

• 1977

  Original company enters bankruptcy

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  The business became bankrupt as recession weakened sales. Harry Bickerton subsequently recovered the manufacturing licence.

• 1973

  TCK Group licence increases output

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  TCK Group of Aston acquired a manufacturing licence and raised production to about 1,000 bicycles per year during the oil-crisis period.

• 1972

  Commercial production begins in Hertfordshire

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  Production started at Codicote, with approximately 300 bicycles made during the first two years.

• 1971

  Bickerton prototype developed

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  The first Bickerton prototype used aluminium profiles without welded construction and achieved a very low weight and compact folded format for its period.

• 1970

  Driving ban prompts portable-bicycle concept

  [1]Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org

  Following a car crash and a three-year driving ban, engineer Harry Bickerton developed the idea for a bicycle that could be carried on public transport or stored in a small car.

Portable, lightweight and multimodal folding bicycles designed for commuting, public-transport use, vehicle storage and compact travel.

• Portable folding bicycle · 1972

  Bickerton Portable

  The core Bickerton design was a lightweight folding bicycle built around aluminium profiles, clamps and a compact folded package. It was intended for multimodal commuting, public-transport connections, storage in small vehicles and travel by boat. Its small front wheel, adjustable riding position and carrying bag prioritized portability, although early versions were known for frame, handlebar and seat-post flex and required careful clamp adjustment.

• Folding bicycle

  Bickerton Hub-Geared Models

  Later Bickerton bicycles included three-speed and five-speed versions using Sturmey-Archer hub gearing. The additional gearing improved usability across different routes and gradients, but increased weight in a product whose principal advantage was lightness and compact storage.

• Folding bicycle

  Bickerton Six-Speed Model

  A six-speed derailleur model appeared briefly during the final years of the original production period. It represented an attempt to provide a broader gear range as the brand competed with increasingly capable folding bicycles.

• Folding bicycle · 1988

  Bickerton Country

  Introduced in 1988, the Country used larger 20-inch wheels than the compact-wheel versions. The larger format was intended to improve riding characteristics, but the model was sold only briefly and added size and weight relative to the brand’s most portable designs.

• Modern folding bicycles · 2011

  2011 Bickerton Relaunch Range

  The anniversary relaunch combined the Bickerton name with new aluminium-frame folding-bicycle designs and contemporary gearing. The supplied reference identifies Tern as the manufacturer, with production in Taiwan and some manufacture in Vietnam, but does not provide a complete model list.

• 1973Go bag a Bickerton

  United Kingdom

  A television promotion centered on the slogan “Go bag a Bickerton,” linking the bicycle’s portability with its dual-purpose carrying bag, which could also be used as a pannier.

  Outcome. The campaign helped position Bickerton as a practical portable and multimodal transport product during the 1970s oil-crisis period.

  Source

• 2011

  Relaunch the Bickerton brandProduct launch

  Background

  The historical brand had ended original bicycle production in 1989, but portable folding bicycles remained a distinct market category.

  Action taken

  Bickerton was relaunched at the Munich Bike show with Mark Bickerton involved in product development, marketing and sales. Tern manufactured the new bicycles in Taiwan, with some production in Vietnam.

  Aftermath

  The relaunch connected the heritage name with modern aluminium folding-bicycle designs and updated gearing. Current ownership and subsequent performance are not established by the supplied sources.

  Source

• 1977

  Transfer production to AustraliaStrategy

  Background

  The original company became bankrupt during a worldwide recession that significantly reduced sales.

  Action taken

  Harry Bickerton recovered the licence and resold it to an Australian company based in Melbourne, which developed international sales licences and kit assembly arrangements.

  Aftermath

  Australian production continued until 1982 and produced approximately 50,000 bicycles, while licensed markets included Germany, the United States and Sweden.

  Source

• 1973

  License manufacturing to TCK GroupStrategy

  Background

  Early production in Codicote was limited, while the 1973 oil crisis created stronger interest in alternatives to car travel.

  Action taken

  TCK Group of Aston acquired a manufacturing licence and expanded output to approximately 1,000 bicycles per year.

  Aftermath

  The licensing arrangement increased production and supported wider promotion of the brand.

  Source

• 1972

  Prioritize lightweight aluminium portabilityStrategy

  Background

  Conventional folding bicycles of the period were generally heavier steel bicycles with simple hinges. Harry Bickerton sought a product that could be carried onto public transport and stored in a small car.

  Action taken

  The company used aluminium profiles and clamp-based construction to create a compact portable bicycle rather than adapting a standard full-size frame.

  Aftermath

  The design established Bickerton as an early pioneer of lightweight portable folding bicycles and influenced later folding-bike development.

  Source

1. 1Bickerton (bicycle)en.wikipedia.org