The Bicycle Goes to War! (Again.....)

US - Gen.Wesley K. Clark, former NATO supreme commander and CNN military analyst who is probably somewhere in the race for the 2004 US-elections, has made a statement about using bikes in war situations. Probably triggered by his 1960's experiences when he saw the Viet Cong use bikes to great effect, the general strongly believes in using bikes as 'war-horses' . Of course the idea is not new-ever since the invention of the bicycle it has been used in one form or other by the military. Be it in the guise of transport for soldiers or supplies or even to transform an otherwise dull 'marching-band' into a spectacular 'riding' one…the bike has been in there from the start. But now hi-tech will make its debut: electrically powered bikes are the general's answer to the electronic battlefield. Driven by the WaveCrest electric motor (a company of which the general is chairman) the foldable bikes will enable the troops to "shoosh on the pavement" to put it in the general's own words. In situations where a Humvee would be too big (!) and too loud, the WaveCrest bike would be the ideal solution; also it would take the strain out of marching.... The WaweCrest motor incorporates novel technology that uses computer algorithms to maximize torque and efficiency and is supposed to be able to carry its rider to speeds of 30 miles an hour. So maybe in the (near) future we will not use the word Platoon anymore for a group of soldiers but call it a Peloton...