"LIGHT CAVALRY"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 189, 22 July 1940, Page 7

"LIGHT CAVALRY"

USE OF BICYCLES AT HOME THOUSANDS LINE UP TO-DAY The war lias given the bicycle the status of "light cavalry" on Britain's civil defence front. Twenty-five thousand of them are being mobilised by the National Cyclists" Union as a swift retort to parachute invaders. The Ministry of Home security regards the skilled cyclist as invaluable on roads which may be made impassable to heavier vehicles or ■when the telephone is put out of action. Chester and Brighton have led the way in setting up First Aid Cyclists Corps as a vital part of their A.R.P scheme, The Corps are equipped with first-aid boxes, helmets and re- > spirators, and : on a test they have saved 28 minutes in treating cas- : ualties. Shortage of petrol has caused a rush on bicycles since the war. Women have become such enthusiasts that special' fashions in cycling i suits have been designed for them* > A great part of the British industry's output is produced for export, : and manufacturers have formed, an > export group in association with the i newly-iformed Kmport Council. In 1938, the last year for which figures : are available, Britain exported. 576IfiS bicycles, of which 156,166 were , to countries outside the Empire.