1914 Bianchi Military Folding Bicycle ‘Model 1912’ (World War 1)

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‘Modello Militare Brevettato (Tipo per Truppa)’

The history of Bianchi is also an essential part of the history of Italy. The Bersaglieri were already well-established as cycle troops. Before WWI began, Bianchi, with production figures of 45,000 bicycles, 1,500 motorcycles and 1,000 cars per year, was asked to design and produce military vehicles. Their famous bicycle had optional mounts for a rifle, machine gun, or mortar. The mortar was transported by three of the bicycles, each with complementary fittings to transport the various parts.

1914 Bianchi Military Folding Bicycle ‘Model 1912’ (World War 1)

Modello Militaire Brevattato

‘Tipo per Trupa’ (Solid-Tyre model for Troops)

20″ Frame

24″ Wheels with solid tyres

Featuring rear suspension and sprung front forks, as well as being a folding machine, this is an advanced bicycle design. The Italians were early adopters of military bicycles. The elite Italian corps who used them, the Bersaglieri (‘bicycle mounted infantry’), were respected everywhere in the world.

Until 1910, the Bersaglieri cycle troops used civilian bicycles. But these obviously had their shortcomings, so the government issued a contract for the Italian bicycle manufacturers to tender their designs for a military bicycle. Four companies were selected out of the eleven initial representations. After lengthy evaluations and trials, Bianchi was selected. Their bicycle was called ‘Model 1912’ and it appears to have gone into production in 1913.

The above illustration shows tarpaulin mounted (though this was only carried when necessary). Also gas mask and water bottle. And a frame bag, which had shoulder straps to use when the bike was folded (it could also be fitted to the handlebars).

The Breda machine gun without its barrel (above, top picture) was fixed to a ring inserted into the saddle. The barrel was carried separately, in a special case (above, lower picture). You can also see an ammunition box fixed to the handlebars; others were worn over triangular backpacks.

Some of the later Bianchis were also made with a steel sheet over the rear fork (below). I assume this was to strengthen the rear fork and chainstays.

1914 BIANCHI CATALOGUE

The bicycle had arrived as a military item in the 1880s and 1890s. The Italians raised the use of the military bicycle to its highest level. The bicycle troops were essentially a mounted infantry unit without a requirement for forage. They could be used as couriers, scouts, or in other traditional cavalry roles. The Italians prided themselves on the speed with which Bersaglieri-cycilisti could manouevre. With their flamboyant uniforms, by the 1930s the Italian bicycle troops had become a vital part of Italian culture, revered much as football teams are today.

The first company of cyclists was formed within the 12th battalion of riflemen and used in manouevres in 1899 to good effect. By 1905 there was a cycle company in every regiment. In 1907, there was a battalion of four companies of cyclists. In 1910, the twelve regiments of riflemen included four battalions, one of which was cyclists.

By the end of WW1, and the subsequent reduction in personnel, the cyclist battalions were reduced to two; these were abolished completely in 1920. But, in 1923, with a reorganization of the army, twelve regiments of riflemen were created to include six cyclist regiments; the following year, all twelve became cyclists. The idea was to create rapid corps who could move quickly where needed, in support of other units. This they were able to do because they did not have to carry heavy equipment (which was brought up behind using trucks). Eventually, the bicycle corps were motorized.

1905

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1909

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7th Regiment

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