SWITZERLAND: SWITZERLAND IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT STILL USES TROOPS ON BICYCLES

Record ID: 646670

  • Title: SWITZERLAND: SWITZERLAND IS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD THAT STILL USES TROOPS ON BICYCLES
  • Date: 10th May 2001
  • Summary: (W5) FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND (MAY 10, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 1. SLV TROOPS RIDING THEIR BICYCLES TOWARDS THE CAMERA 0.08 2. LV/SV SOLDIERS RIDING BIKES WITH PANZERFAUST ANTI TANK WEAPON (2 SHOTS) 0.25 3. SV (French) RECRUIT JULIEN VOEFFRAY SAYING: "I think we are an elite troop but more on a sporting level than on a disciplinary level. It's true that sometimes we hurt ourselves really badly, but we get taught to cycle in temperatures of 5 degrees below zero, through the snow and the rain for example. For me, for races I take part in later on, I will benefit. It's become a habit, the resistance to cold, the physical resistance, it's mainly at this level that it brings me a lot of satisfaction." 0.50 4. LV BICYCLE TROOP RIDING THE BIKES THROUGH THE COUNTRYSIDE 0.54 (FILE) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 5. STILLS PHOTOS OF BICYCLE TROOPS (3 SHOTS) 1.04 (W5) FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND (MAY 10, 2001) (REUTERS - ACCESS ALL) 6. MCU (French) COMMANDANT OF BICYCLE TROOP JEAN-PIERRE LEUENBERGER SAYING: "We will not be able to engage cyclists in the army as before. We need troops with protection, cyclists are not protected, they don't have any armour-plating, and it's because of that cyclists will disappear from the new organization." 1.19 7. LV/SLV/SV BICYCLE TROOP GOING TO THE WOODS TO PREPARE AN ATTACK (5 SHOTS) 1.42 8. SV/SLV SOLDIERS PREPARING WEAPONS (2 SHOTS) 1.50 9. SLV SOLDIERS HIDING THEIR BICYCLES UNDER LEAVES 1.56 Initials Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
  • Embargoed: 25th May 2001 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND
  • Country: Switzerland
  • Reuters ID: LVA9592KFVJ0SM72DNX0HFAV9ZVH
  • Story Text: It is the end of the road for the cycling commandos of
    Switzerland, the last country in the world to have an army
    bicycle regiment is getting rid of the soldiers on bikes.



    Switzerland is the only country in the world that still
    uses troops on bicycles as an integral part of its armed
    forces.

    Other armies may scoff at the idea of Swiss soldiers
    riding into the fray on their "metal mules" in an age of
    nuclear weapons, but the Swiss are proud of this elite corps.

    The cycling soldiers are regarded as a lethal fighting
    force. Their bicycles are loaded with machine guns, bazookas
    and mortars ready to be deployed at the drop of a hat.

    In Switzerland, where all able men must do military
    service, competition to get in this unit is strong. Of the 600
    who apply each year, only 200 are accepted because it is so
    physically demanding -- some of the nation's top cyclists have
    come out of this unit.

    "I think they are an elite troop but more on a sporting
    level than on a disciplinary level. It's true that sometimes
    we hurt ourselves really badly, but we get taught to cycle in
    temperatures of 5 degrees below zero, through the snow and the
    rain for example. For me, for races I take part in later on, I
    will benefit. It's become a habit, the resistance to cold, the
    physical resistance, it's mainly at this level that it brings
    me a lot of satisfaction," said Julien Voeffray, one of the
    cycling recruits.

    The cycling soldiers endure 15 weeks of tough training. On
    average, they ride some 30 km per day with just over 80 kilos
    of full gear across rugged terrain.

    In 1993, modern mountain bicycles replaced older models
    that had served with distinction for some 90 years. The new
    model, still manufactured by Swiss company Condor, has seven
    gears and hydraulic brakes.

    It is highly customised, with special compartments and
    attachments, enabling it to carry mines, Panzerfaust anti-tank
    weapons and the Lafette machine gun.

    Bicycles allow troops to deploy quickly and silently,
    surprising the enemy. With their flexibility and mobility,
    they claim they can reach a nearby battle zone faster than any
    mechanised troop. But the troops are on the way out.

    "We will not be able to engage cyclists in the army as
    before. We need troops with protection, cyclists are not
    protected, they don't have any armour-plating, and it's
    because of that cyclists will disappear from the new
    organization," said Commander Jean-Pierre Leuenberger.

    With a reputation riding on more than a century of
    tradition the bicycle troops are feeling the pinch of Swiss
    army reform: the government has announced that there is no
    place for pedal power in the army of the 21st century,
    spelling the end of the world's last remaining army bicycle
    regiment.





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