It is true at least to some extent that the Moulton was designed by a non-cyclist - Alex Moulton designed exactly what HE wanted. It is a credit to his engineering skills that it turned out so well.
Dr. Moulton owned and rode a custom Hetchins prior to beginning work on his bike designs. He pursued several designs along the lines of what he thought was best, only to find they did not prove out in testing. He abandoned these designs and went with those that proved superior.
The history of these bikes is in the books
The Moulton Story and
The Spaceframe Moultons.
tcs