Swiss army bicycle

The most recognisable feature of most Swiss Army Bicycles is the large carry case fitted into the frame.

They were also fitted with an integrated headlight and bottle dynamo which operated on the front tyre side-wall.

A bread-bag for carrying the rider's food rations was usually attached to one side of the rear rack.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that soldiers used the bottom attachment to go around their belts to hold the bag on their back.

Riders had to be quite fit, as some soldiers were expected to carry up to 70 lbs (31.8 kg) of equipment with only a single gear.

The MO-93, officially called Militärrad 93, was the first major re-development of the Swiss Army Bicycle, built by Villiger and Condor between 1993 and 1995.

The basic frame layout was retained for compatibility with existing equipment, and outwardly appears roughly similar to the MO-05 except for its green color (technically: RAL 6014 F9 Gelboliv - olive-yellow).

It was equipped with a 7-speed derailer gearing system, which is protected by a hefty guard at the rear axle.

A few are still used at the Parachute Reconnaissance Company 17 (Fallschirmaufklärer Kompanie 17) Special Forces base and Paratrooper school at Locarno-Magadino military airport in Southern Switzerland.

According to the Swiss Army website, bicycles are currently used by cadet officers, sergeant majors, quartermasters, cooks, guards, in addition to physical training and movement between barracks and firing range.

Specifications: In 2012, the Department of Defence, Civil Defence, and Sport purchased 4100 units of a new model of military bicycle, officially called Fahrrad 12, at a cost of CHF 10.2 million (approximately CHF 2,490 per unit, including maintenance costs over 10 years) from Simpel.ch, as the original manufacturer of the Model 93 was not available.