Founder Alan Scholz started a small company called Burley Bike Bags and relocated from Fargo, North Dakota to Eugene, Oregon in search of a cycling-friendly community. The Burley name was inspired by his wife Beverly, a bicycle racer known as “Burley Bev.” The couple sold their handmade bags at Eugene’s Saturday Market, a 30 mile commute from their rural home.
In 1978 Burley became a worker-owned cooperative. The co-op built a reputation for safe, durable products and the name “Burley” became synonymous with “bicycle trailer”. In 2006 members sold the company to Michael Coughlin, a local community leader, outdoors enthusiast and Oregon native.