As design innovations go the Brompton Fold Up Bike seems quite unremarkable; interesting and useful nonetheless, but not iconic. Despite that, its mass appeal and the change it has brought to the morning commute in Britain has led to its being awarded the Prince Philip Designers prize.

In today’s Guardian the significance of the award going to the Brompton was not undermined:

“The bicycle is such a simple, elegant design that very few models can be said to have changed the way people use the machine, but one rare example of this has just been honoured: the Brompton. The creator of this British-made folding bike, Andrew Ritchie, was last week named as winner of the 50th anniversary incarnation of the Prince Philip Designers prize, organised by the Design Council. The judging panel, chaired by Prince Philip himself, praised Ritchie for his “single-minded dedication to the quality and usability” of the bike he devised.

Now Bromptons aren’t for everyone…But no one can deny their presence on the urban commuting scene, whether being pedalled furiously by pin-striped gents or sitting atop the luggage ruck of an otherwise bike-unfriendly peak-time train…Ritchie’s great success was in taking the advances made over the decades and turning out a machine that was both eminently portable, folding into a bundle little bigger than its 16-inch wheels, and – fans insist – perfectly rideable…So let’s not knock the folder. Thousands of train commuters a day would otherwise not have the chance to cycle at all. What’s to dislike about that?”

Championing the practicality of the design, today’s Guardian – and the awarding of the prize itself – has shown that revolutionary design can be more practical than aesthetic.

More importantly for environmentalists though is the fact that a design which turned a substantial part of the commute run eco friendly has been recognised. With government announcing substantial spending on bicycle facilities in major cities across the UK last month, the recognition of the Brompton will help them too.

A well timed and well deserved recognition for the little bike that has become so ingrained in city life that the London Underground wouldn’t be the same without the little fellows.