Tributes paid to Chopper designer

Raleigh Chopper designer Alan Oakley has died at the age of 85. Credit: ITV Central

The Nottingham designer who created the Raleigh Chopper bicycle has died of cancer aged 85.

Alan Oakley drew the initial design for the Chopper, which is famed for its unusual appearance and car-like gear shifter, on the back of an envelope while flying back from the United States in 1967.

His wife Karen said her husband died at their home in Wollaton on Friday, nine months after being diagnosed with oesophageal cancer.

The Raleigh Chopper became a "must-have" bike for children in the 70s in both Britain and America. Credit: ITV Central

With an angular seat, a large back wheel and small front wheel, the Chopper was a huge success for Nottingham-based Raleigh in both Britain and America, becoming a must-have bike for a generation of children.

In 2004 ITV Central's Pat West spoke to the Chopper bike inventor, Alan Oakley. He said the experts told him it wouldn't sell but children had other ideas. He said it was 'a bit of magic' and he still doesn't know why it was so successful, except that it was a bike that 'made you want to ride it'.