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Origins of Raleigh

The story behind the Raleigh company begins with Sir Frank Bowden who, after a successful career as a lawyer in Hong Kong, returned to England in poor health and an ‘inactive liver’. He was given only months to live but, determined he would find a way to stave off death, consulted a doctor in Harrogate who prescribed him what was finally to cure him

‘Taking me to the window of his study, he drew my attention to a man who was slowly and steadily driving a tricycle around the Square and told me that the rider three weeks previously could not move his legs.’ (Bowden, Gregory – Raleigh Cycle)

Impressed by this, Bowden himself moved to France and took up cycling, purchasing a trike which he had shipped. Within four months, Bowden found his health to be restored to such a level that he then embarked on a cycling tour of Arcachon; quite a recovery indeed. On returning back to England, Bowden decided to graduate to what was known as the ‘Safety Bicycle’ (standard bike as we know it) and happened upon three bike makers based in a small workshop on Raleigh Street, Nottingham. Bowden was so impressed with the bike that he bought that he then decided to buy the company and involve himself with the industry that saved his life.

Raleigh Cycles was established in 1888. Bowden quickly sought out a new premises in which the company would be allowed to expand. In his book on the history of Raleigh cycles, Gregory Bowden (Sir Franks grandson) gives a detailed account of how the company was first set up

‘In order to be sure of appealing to every sector of the high-quality bicycle market, he decided at an early stage to bring out a wide range of models – a policy which has been pursued by the firm ever since.’

Indeed by 1890, Raleigh exhibited twenty three different models at Stanley Cycle Show in London, a good illustration as the speed and appetite Raleigh had for developing competition. Like now, weight was considered to be an issue and the Nottingham Guardian wrote in a review of Raleigh’s latest offerings

‘No fewer than 12 of these machines are from new designs. They include a tandem safety [...] This weighs 73-lbs but there is also a lighter machine weighing 640lbs on which Messrs. W.C. Goulding and F.T. Bidlake have already ridden 65 miles in 4 hours 5 mins on the Great Northern Road.’

Bowden was quick to associate Raleigh with winning athletes, not only aware that it was a good source of PR but also served to strengthen Raleigh’s winning brand. In 1892 Raleigh had already managed to endorse a selection of the worlds top cycle athletes including A.A. Zimmerman who was considered to be world champion at the time.