Swiss army bicycle

The Swiss Army Bicycle (German: Armeefahrrad, Militärvelo; French: vélo militaire; Italian: bicicletta militare) has been utilized by the Swiss Army beginning in 1905. There have been three models, the MO-5 (built 1905–1989), MO-93 (built 1993–95), and the MO-12 (from 2012). The Swiss Army disbanded its elite bicycle infantry units in 2003, but still uses bicycles for training, and many army bicycles remain in private use. The most famous Swiss bicycle infantryman is Federal Councillor Ueli Maurer, who commanded a bicycle infantry battalion until 1994 and still uses his army bicycle. In 2012, the Department of Defence, Civil Defence, and Sport purchased 4100 of the new, lighter MO-12 or Fahrrad 12, which are also available for private purchase.