THE BICYCLE IN WARTIME
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—How are important civilian workers, particularly those in factories producing food or war supplies, going to get to work if war comes?
A single enemy bomb can cripple transport services—par- ticularly 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 reduce normal transport facilities.
As one who has witnessed warfare 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 the enemy.
I would suggest to members of A.R.P. Committees up and down the country that a bicycle is 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 avoid- ing traffic blocks of military or ambulance convoys. The Government, on their part, should, if necessary, compel em- yloyers to provide adequate bicycle " parks " for the mobile legions of public-spirited civilians.—Yours faithfully,
G. N. MARSHALL, Commander.
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