Pedalling ahead: The next chapter of Cooper

MINI prides itself on problem solving.

From John Cooper’s novel but highly effective rear-engined race car through to the now BMW-owned car-maker’s electric mobility solutions, MINI has diversified as much as any other car-maker over the years.

Now, the MINI story could yet take another turn – this time, of the two-wheeled variety.
Charlie Cooper, the grandson of John Cooper, has unveiled his vision for bicycles to become the next key chapter in the Cooper storyline, expressing his desire to be involved in MINI’s future mobility plans.

In Australia for the launch of MINI’s new state-of-the-art showroom in Sydney this month, Cooper is using his famous name to change the mindset around modern mobility.

“My own company is a bicycle company, Cooper Bikes, and I’m working in that sphere a bit more,” Cooper tells carsales.com.au.

“I can’t tell you anything yet, but there’s certain things in the pipeline. It’s not just about automotive, it’s about mobility and getting people around.

“I think MINI as a brand is uniquely placed. It started as a solution to a problem about the current time, and MINI is perfectly suited to coming up with mobility solutions without being disingenuous like other brands might be. There’s huge opportunity for MINI to work in that space, but still with amazing products including the MINI Electric.”

An ambassador with MINI, Cooper comes from a famous lineage, first through his grandfather John, and then his father Michael, the creator of the now-popular John Cooper Works (JCW) performance division.

2019 MINI Clubman JCW and Countryman JCW revealed

Famously under John’s direction, the Cooper Car Company won consecutive Formula 1 titles with works drivers Jack Brabham and Bruce McLaren in 1959 and 1960; crucially, going against the grain by using rear-engined cars.

Though Charlie is eager to stray from comparisons with his famous forebears, he recognises there are many benefits from his lineage.

“I often tell my story of when my Grandad was alive – he sadly died in 2000 – I went to Goodwood with him when he was quite old and they were celebrating those who had been successful in Formula 1,” Charlie said. “That was in 1999 and I was quite young, but that was probably the moment I realised what an important and influential person he was in motorsport.

“Obviously I’d seen and knew about Mini Coopers but in the motorsport world, he was such a revolutionary and special person.”

Charlie Cooper began his professional career working within the JCW brand, but concedes he saw the name “as a bit of a burden” before going off on his own path in marketing.
In 2009, Charlie and his father Mike drew their attention to cycling, launching Cooper Bikes in October of the same year. The products soon began to resonate, pushing the Cooper legacy of design and innovation.

Ironically, the Cooper Bikes company was founded as a solution to a problem. After “the briefest of brief” professional rugby careers, Charlie suffered a serious knee injury and was delivered some fairly hefty doctor’s orders.

“The doctor said my running days were pretty well spent, so I started cycling early on, and that’s what drew me into working with Dad and working with John Cooper Works,” he said.

“Living in London I started commuting on a bicycle fairly early on, and I quickly recognised it was the best mode of transport there – through the winter and all.

“It rehabilitated my knee and got me from A-to-B.”

Charlie has now set his sights on the bigger picture, moving his company’s production from Taiwan to Germany with the aim of tackling the bourgeoning e-bike and urban mobility markets.

“I’m at a place where I’m not trying to compare what my grandfather or father did,” he said. “To be involved with MINI and take it forward, working on various projects at the moment that will hopefully come to fruition in the future, that’s a really exciting thing for me to keep the family name involved in the brand.”

Cooper’s focus on cycling hasn’t detracted from his love of MINI cars in anyway, either, kicking off a “late start” to tin-top racing last year; in the MINI Challenge, no less.

“My father stated the MINI Challenge as a way to get people into racing. It’s developed into a pretty serious championship now and, in fact, it’s supporting the British Touring Car Championship next year, which is the biggest domestic racing category,” Cooper said.

“It’s become a hot bed of tin-top talent, from amateurs to a few factory drivers. As a late starter with quite a famous last name, it was a bit difficult to be at the front so I’m quite happy circulating in the mid-field.”

Cooper Bikes hasn’t formally entered the Australian market yet – Charlie says country-to-country e-bike legislative approval is something of a minefield, “not dissimilar to cars” – but nothing is off limits at this stage.

“It gives me great joy to see our bikes on the road,” Charlie said.

“I’m passionate about cycling and e-bikes, along with infrastructure in cities. This is about forging my own path, it has been very enjoyable so far.”