I had a great day yesterday at the Science Museum Wroughton, recording a series of video interviews promoting the Festival of Innovation (12 – 13 September). I was there to talk about twenty transport icons that shaped the modern world.
One was a Moulton bicycle, the first significant design change to the bike since J. K. Starley’s ‘Rover’ safety bicycle hit the scene in the 1880s. The Moulton is a small-wheel, compact cycle with full suspension that is easy to ride, mount and store.
I’d never ridden one, so I arranged to use the Wroughton staff bike (which is a Moulton) to get from the entrance gate to the hangar I was filming in. Top fun – especially when I realised it had a coaster brake. I’ve never ridden a coaster brake before. I wondered why something seemed to be rubbing as I dawdled along the airstrip… I probably should have done my research properly first! Still, I did my bit for the planet.
More next week on the rise of the passenger plane, as there’s a significant anniversary coming up…