Raleigh was founded in Nottingham by Sir Frank Bowden in 1887 after he discovered a love for cycling after experiencing its health benefits after struggling with bad health.
By the 1920s, Raleigh become a world leader in bicycles, capable of producing 100,000 cycles annually. The team also produced 250,000 hub gears, 15,000 motorcycles and 50,000 motorcycle gearboxes. Everything changed in the late sixties when the Raleigh Chopper was introduced - with children and adults alike desperate to own one of the stylish bikes.
The Chopper went on to sell an incredible 1.5 million units. The Raleigh Grifter was born in 1976 as a follow-up to the Chopper and the Burner series was released in the 1980s.
The ’80s saw the launch of the Burner series which sold over a million units across the range and became the must-have bike of the times. The iconic Raleigh Chopper was relaunched in 2004 an amazing 30 years since its original launch. In 2012 Raleigh was purchased by Netherlands-based bicycle company Accell Group but it remains in Nottingham.
Last year, the Raleigh Experience Centre was opened on Maid Marian Way in the centre of the city with a showcase of the best retro bikes.
1. Incredibly, in 2017 Raleigh celebrated its 130 year anniversary. it is still based in Nottingham where everything began for the company in 1887.
Raleigh Bikes | Raleigh Bikes
2. 1st March 1971: The Radiotelephone Chopper Bicycle is demonstrated at the Ideal Home Exhibition at Olympia. The Choppers are made by Raleigh in Nottingham and are designed to enable exhibition executives to be in constant touch with their stands and to attend them quickly.
1st March 1971 | Getty Images
3. Labour politician George Strauss chats with two workers from the Raleigh packing department in Nottingham, before the dispatch of the millionth Raleigh bicycle to be shipped overseas since VJ Day, 21st April 1949. They are holding a ceremony at Raleigh House in Brentford, London, to celebrate the landmark sale. The bicycle is being sent to the United States
Labour politician George Strauss chats with two workers from the Raleigh packing department in Nottingham | Getty Images
4. The bikes weren’t just for children as they were often loved by adults too.
Raleigh bikes | Raleigh bikes