The Bicycle in Defence

Manawatu Times, Volume 64, Issue 160, 10 July 1939, Page 9

The Bicycle in Defence

How are important civilian workers, particularly those in factories producing food or war supplies, going to get to work if war comes 1 ? asks Commander ,G. N. Marshall in a letter to the Spectator. A single enemy bomb can cripple transport services—particularly those depending on electricity—and prevent thousands of people from “carrying on.” Moreover, even if all were quiet, shortage of fuel owing to military requirements would greatly reduco normal transport facilities. As one who has witnessed warfaro in many parts of the world in the past 25 years, and has seen some 250 air raids in Spain alone. I maintain that our old friend the bicycle is the answer to tho enemy. I would suggest to tho authorities up and down tho country that a bicycle 13 as essential a part of the equipment of every citizen as a respirator. The cyclist can go round bomb craters which would bring four-wheeled traffic to a standstill, and can take circuitous routes to work avoiding traffic blocks of military or ambulance convoys.