Folding bicycle
This British WWII Airborne BSA folding bicycle was rigged so that, when parachuted, the handlebars and seat were the first parts to hit the ground (as bent wheels would disable the bike).
The peg pedals could be pushed in to avoid snagging and further reduce the space occupied during transit.
The bicycle was used by British paratroopers, Commandos, and second-wave infantry units on the D-Day landings and at the Battle of Arnhem.
[8] The 1970s saw increased interest in the folding bike, and the popular Raleigh Twenty and Bickerton Portable have become the iconic folders of their decade.
It was, however, the early 1980s that can be said to have marked the birth of the modern, compact folding bicycle, with competing models from Brompton and Dahon.
Advantages of smaller wheels include potential for more speed, quicker acceleration, greater maneuverability, and easier storage.
These forgo the performance and easy ride benefits of their larger counterparts, acquiring characteristics similar to those of an adult folding kick scooter.
Swing and flip hinges may be combined on the same frame, as in the Brompton Mezzo Folder and Dahon, which use a folding steering column.
The step-through design is a boon to a wider range of rider size, age, and physical ability.
Another system found on folders, such as Montague Bikes, utilizes the seat tube as a pivot point for the frame to fold.
It allows the user to fold the bike without "breaking" any vital tubes down, thus preserving the structural integrity of the diamond frame.
[15] Many public transportation systems ban or restrict unfolded bicycles, but allow folded bikes all or some of the time.
For example, Transport for London allows folding bikes at all times on the Underground, but on buses it is down to the driver's discretion.
Airline baggage regulations often permit folding bikes as ordinary luggage, without extra cost.
[17] Singapore has also implemented new laws to allow folding bicycles in its rail and bus transportation system, with certain size and time limitations.
