Brand Focus – The Automobile Association (The AA) [Video]

It isn’t widely known that the AA was founded as a contingent of cyclists.

In March 1905, Mr. Walter Gibbons wrote to Autocar magazine proposing the formation of a Motorists’ Association for the Prevention of Police Traps. Two other motorists replied saying that the Brighton road was already patrolled by cyclists to warn motorists of police traps. Bare in mind that in the early years of cycling, there was much antagonism from the Police towards cyclists.

Early AA cycle scouts used their own bicycles, for which they were paid an allowance. Before the introduction of uniforms in 1909, the scouts had to provide their own clothing too. By 1909, AA cycle scouts were operating all over the country, including Scotland. By 1912 there were 950. The motorcycle patrols, known as Road Service Outfits or ‘RSOs’, weren’t created until 1919.

Always Ahead Positioning: October 1921

The Association made arrangements whereby members, unfamiliar with the roads and …