ORBEA JOINS BICYCLE ASSOCIATION’S ADVOCACY ARM, INVESTORS IN CYCLING
July 15, 2022
Orbea, one of the world’s leading innovators and suppliers in the cycling industry, has pledged its support to the growing industry initiative ‘Investors in Cycling’, The Bicycle Association’s (BA) programme promoting the growth of cycling through advocacy.
In 1840, Orbea was born in the heart of the Basque Country, one of the reference cycling territories in the world. In 1969 the employees took the reins of the company creating a worker-owned model that was later associated with the largest co-op in the world, the Mondragón Group.
This partnership will strengthen the BA’s portfolio of advocacy projects delivered on behalf of the UK cycling industry. These include the ‘Growing the Local Bicycle Economy’ project, mobilised in London today and rolling out to new regions in the future, advocacy to put cycling front and centre of new policies tied to the transition to net-zero and a renewed focus on children’s cycling to ensure the pipeline of cyclists for the industry going forward.
Damian Hackett, Orbea Country Manager UK and Ireland, said:
“Becoming an Investor in Cycling is another example of how Orbea is working to support the UK cycle sector. The Bicycle Association’s projects which Orbea are supporting through this pledge all focus on getting more people on bikes and therefore more customers into bike shops. We want to support initiatives that improve people’s health, support the cycling economy and promote the use of bicycles to more people. We’re excited to stand alongside such a wide range of cycling businesses working towards the same goals at this time”.
David Middlemiss, BA Associate Director, said:
“We are delighted to have Orbea join Investors in Cycling, and their pledge comes at a crucial time for our industry-wide advocacy mission. We were able to share our increasing portfolio of activities to grow the cycle market for the benefit of all in the sector with members at our summer meeting. Support like this from Orbea is crucial in driving that programme forward, making the industrial case for cycling right now. We look forward to working with Orbea and our other Investors in Cycling to bring more new customers into bike shops in the months and years ahead”.
UK bike businesses interested in becoming Investors in Cycling or wishing to find out more please visit: https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk/investors-in-cycling/
Notes for Editors
Contact for Media: Elizabeth Elford [email protected]
About the Bicycle Association
The Bicycle Association (BA) is the national trade association for the UK cycle industry. The BA works to represent the best interests of the UK cycle industry to government, stakeholders and the general public. The mission of the BA is to grow cycling, particularly everyday transport cycling, and to grow the cycling market in the UK. https://www.bicycleassociation.org.uk
About Investors in Cycling
Investors in Cycling in a nationwide programme to unite and recognise bike businesses across the UK which support the growth of cycling through advocacy. Over 1,100 bike businesses are being recognised as Investors in Cycling from the largest global brands to the smallest retailers. All are businesses which in one way or another support the industry’s collective advocacy work, led by the Bicycle Association on behalf of the UK cycling industry.
About Orbea
In 1840, Orbea was born in the steep valley of the Deba river, in the heart of the Basque Country. Work, sacrifice and constant commitment to innovation and customization marked the path that led Orbea to become a successful gun manufacturer by the turn of the century. After the first World War, however, the gunsmithing business was no longer viable, and so, in 1930 the business became the Orbea known today, using our experience with metal tubing machines to build bicycles.
Thus began the Orbea love affair with cycling.
In 1969 the family business faltered and the employees took the reins of the company creating a worker-owned model that was later associated in the largest co-op in the world, the Mondragón Group.
Orbea’s bicycles continue to evolve, the excitement of competition and creative solutions by their engineers and designers have captured the hearts of riders everywhere. Orbea very much identifies as more than a bike company; it is a cooperative business and a passionate cycling family.