Swedish military bicycle
Encyclopedia
Swedish military bicycles , or Swedish army bicycles, have been used in the Swedish military for over a century.
were first introduced in 1901, when a Gotland
ic infantry regiment
, I 27 in Visby
, replaced its cavalry
complement with bicycle-mounted troops. By 1942, there were six bicycle infantry regiments in the Swedish Army
, operating mainly m/30s and m/42s. However, there were also examples of undesignated tandem bicycle
s for use by field radio
operators and specially fitted pairs of bicycles designed for mounting a stretcher
between the lead's rack and the rear's steer tube.
Following World War II
, in 1947, the decision was made to decommission the bicycle infantry regiments. They were gradually removed from the Army between 1948 and 1952. Following this decision, the role of the bicycle shifted away from a combat one to a more utilitarian one, with special bicycle transport groups being formed. However, bicycle rifle
battalion
s (Swedish: cykelskyttebataljon) continued to exist into the late 1980s.
, was founded in 1997 by three students in Uppsala
in order to produce a modernized replica of the m/42. These come in a variety of colors, compared to the matte green and gray of the surplus models, and can even be purchased with three-speed SRAM
hubs and front brakes
. Unlike the military surplus m/42s, these have been widely exported to other countries. Reports of quality control problems with some of the new bicycles emerged on the internet soon after they went on sale in the US.
History
The first bicycles in the Swedish military were privately owned or bought for testing purposes. Bicycle infantryBicycle infantry
Bicycle infantry are infantry soldiers who maneuver on battlefields using bicycles. The term dates from the late 19th century, when the "safety bicycle" became popular in Europe, the United States and Australia. Historically, bicycles lessened the need for horses, fuel and vehicle maintenance...
were first introduced in 1901, when a Gotland
Gotland
Gotland is a county, province, municipality and diocese of Sweden; it is Sweden's largest island and the largest island in the Baltic Sea. At 3,140 square kilometers in area, the region makes up less than one percent of Sweden's total land area...
ic infantry regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
, I 27 in Visby
Visby
-See also:* Battle of Visby* Gotland University College* List of governors of Gotland County-External links:* - Visby*...
, replaced its cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
complement with bicycle-mounted troops. By 1942, there were six bicycle infantry regiments in the Swedish Army
Swedish Army
The Swedish Army is one of the oldest standing armies in the world and a branch of the Swedish Armed Forces; it is in charge of land operations. General Sverker Göranson is the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Army.- Organization :...
, operating mainly m/30s and m/42s. However, there were also examples of undesignated tandem bicycle
Tandem bicycle
The tandem bicycle or twin is a form of bicycle designed to be ridden by more than one person. The term tandem refers to the seating arrangement , not the number of riders. A bike with two riders side-by-side is called a sociable.-History:Patents related to tandem bicycles date from the late 19th...
s for use by field radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
operators and specially fitted pairs of bicycles designed for mounting a stretcher
Stretcher
A stretcher is a medical device used to carry casualties or an incapacitated person from one place to another. It is a simple type of litter, and still called by that name in some cases....
between the lead's rack and the rear's steer tube.
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in 1947, the decision was made to decommission the bicycle infantry regiments. They were gradually removed from the Army between 1948 and 1952. Following this decision, the role of the bicycle shifted away from a combat one to a more utilitarian one, with special bicycle transport groups being formed. However, bicycle rifle
Rifle
A rifle is a firearm designed to be fired from the shoulder, with a barrel that has a helical groove or pattern of grooves cut into the barrel walls. The raised areas of the rifling are called "lands," which make contact with the projectile , imparting spin around an axis corresponding to the...
battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
s (Swedish: cykelskyttebataljon) continued to exist into the late 1980s.
Models
- m/1901 - A safety bicycleSafety bicycleA safety bicycle is a type of bicycle that became very popular beginning in the late 1880s as an alternative to the penny-farthing or ordinary and is now the most common type of bicycle. Early bicycles of this style were known as safety bicycles because they were noted for, and marketed as, being...
, it was the first officially designated bicycle in the Swedish army. - m/30 - A spoon brake-equipped, balloon-tired roadster. It was based around an agreement with several large Swedish manufacturers regarding the interchangeability of parts. Weight: ca. 23.5 kg (52 lb.)
- m/finsk - A NymansNymanbolagenNymanbolagen was a Swedish bicycle, moped, and motorcycle manufacturing company in Uppsala, Sweden.In 1947 Nymans Verkstäder in Uppsala, Lindblads Verkstäder in Stockholm and some minor bicycle companies, formed Nymanbolagen AB, situated in Uppsala, Sweden.Nymans also manufactured small two cycle...
-manufactured bicycle without chainguard. The label finsk is the Swedish word for FinnishFinlandFinland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
. - m/42 - The most well-known SwedishSwedenSweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
military bicycle. It was produced by several large Swedish bicycle manufacturers (Rex, HusqvarnaHusqvarna MotorcyclesHusqvarna Motorcycles, a subsidiary of BMW, is a company manufacturing motocross, enduro and supermoto motorcycles. The company began producing motorcycles in 1903 at Huskvarna, Sweden, as a branch of the Husqvarna armament firm which had supplied the Swedish army with rifles since 1689.-History:As...
, MonarkMonarkMonark, also known as Cykelfabriken Monark AB and Monark AB, is a Swedish bicycle, moped and motorcycle manufacturer, established in Varberg, Sweden 1908 by the industrialist Birger Svensson....
, NymansNymanbolagenNymanbolagen was a Swedish bicycle, moped, and motorcycle manufacturing company in Uppsala, Sweden.In 1947 Nymans Verkstäder in Uppsala, Lindblads Verkstäder in Stockholm and some minor bicycle companies, formed Nymanbolagen AB, situated in Uppsala, Sweden.Nymans also manufactured small two cycle...
) from the 1940s to the 1950s with a maximum of interchangeable partsInterchangeable partsInterchangeable parts are parts that are, for practical purposes, identical. They are made to specifications that ensure that they are so nearly identical that they will fit into any device of the same type. One such part can freely replace another, without any custom fitting...
. It uses a rear, one-speed Novo coaster brake hub and, on Husqvarna-produced examples, a front drum brake (chain-operated by an integrated right-hand lever). In addition, it has a large, sturdy rack with a tool box and storage tube for a short frame pump. Weight: up to 26 kg (57 lb.) - m/104, m/104A
- m/105, m/105A - 26 × 1½ inch (584 mm) wheels with Sachs Torpedo rear hub.
- m/111 - Post-1971. 28 inch wheel with Sachs Torpedo rear hub.
Civilian use
Beginning in the 1970s, the Army began to sell its m/42s as military surplus. They became very popular as cheap and low-maintenance transportation, especially among students. Responding to its popularity and finite supply, an entirely new company, KronanKronan (bicycle)
Kronan bicycles are marketed by Kronan Trademark AB, also known as Kronan AB. Kronan AB was established in June 1997 by three former-students, John Wahlbäck and two brothers Henry and Martin Avander...
, was founded in 1997 by three students in Uppsala
Uppsala
- Economy :Today Uppsala is well established in medical research and recognized for its leading position in biotechnology.*Abbott Medical Optics *GE Healthcare*Pfizer *Phadia, an offshoot of Pharmacia*Fresenius*Q-Med...
in order to produce a modernized replica of the m/42. These come in a variety of colors, compared to the matte green and gray of the surplus models, and can even be purchased with three-speed SRAM
SRAM (bicycles)
SRAM Corporation is a privately held bicycle component manufacturer based in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1987. SRAM is an acronym comprising the names of its founders, Scott, Ray, and Sam, .In 2008, the company received a strategic investment from Trilantic Capital Partners, formerly known as...
hubs and front brakes
Bicycle brake systems
A bicycle brake is used to slow down or stop a bicycle. There have been various types of brake used throughout history, and several are still in use today...
. Unlike the military surplus m/42s, these have been widely exported to other countries. Reports of quality control problems with some of the new bicycles emerged on the internet soon after they went on sale in the US.