A story about the MD-1 (Moscow Road, first model), the most widely used bicycle of the Red Army
It would be hard to call the bicycle a little-known mode of transportation. The development of new types of technology hasn’t made the bicycle obsolete at all. Even military use of bicycles continues to this day; they have their own niche. At the same time, if we look at the historical aspect, a rather unpleasant picture emerges. The fact is that the history of the bicycle—especially its military history—is largely unknown to many people. While people know at least a little about motorcycles, there’s almost no knowledge about bicycles in this regard. There are experts, but they are few and far between.
Scooter riders at the parade; some of the bicycles are MD-1 models
At the “Engines of War” exhibition, visitors can see a wide variety of military vehicles used during World War II. Just recently, the exhibition was expanded to include a very important piece that holds a prominent place in the history of the Red Army’s military technology during the interwar period. However, few people know about it, which is not surprising given the limited public awareness of the history of bicycles. We’re talking about the MD-1, manufactured by the Moscow Bicycle Factory. It was the most widely used bicycle (scooter) of the Red Army at the start of the Great Patriotic War. It’s worth discussing it in more detail.
A similar bicycle is also shown in the literature on self-propelled vehicles
It would be incorrect to say that there was no bicycle manufacturing in the USSR. While the DUKs factory in Moscow shifted its focus to aircraft manufacturing in the early 1920s, the former production facilities of the Leytner factory in Kharkiv remained in operation. In 1923, it became the Kharkiv Bicycle Plant (KhVZ). Soon, the first bicycle, named “Ukraine,” appeared, and in total, the Kharkiv Bicycle Plant produced more than a million bicycles before its evacuation in the fall of 1941. Products from the Kharkiv factory also found their way to the Red Army.
MD-1 at “Motors of War”
Another bicycle factory was established in the late 1920s in Penza. What set this factory apart was that its main products were not bicycles at all, but ammunition. The bicycles that appeared in 1928 were more of an afterthought. In 1931, a new bicycle model was introduced, and the factory was renamed the Penza State Bicycle Factory. Ironically, the new bicycle was based on a design by BSA (Birmingham Small Arms Company), for which bicycles were also a secondary product. BSA’s primary production was firearms.
The bicycle has been preserved in its original configuration
At the same time, by the late 1920s, it became clear that another bicycle factory was needed to replace “Duks.” According to Andrei Myatiev, a well-known historian and bicycle collector, negotiations initially took place with Opel, but the Germans wanted a joint production arrangement—that is, to profit from the new products. In 1928, an agreement was reached with the aforementioned BSA. Moreover, unlike the Penza-made bicycles, this involved full-scale licensed production. Furthermore, the Soviet side purchased production lines from Birmingham.
It stands next to a ZIS-6; both vehicles were manufactured exclusively in Moscow
It’s worth mentioning separately what kind of bicycle they decided to produce in the Soviet Union. It was the BSA Standard Roadster model, which had first appeared in one form or another as early as 1900. And here’s the surprising part: almost immediately, the “Roadster” entered military service. Its first deployment was during the Anglo-Boer War; the military version featured a rifle mount on the frame. Later, a purely military folding bicycle was introduced, although the BSA Roadster was also used extensively in its standard configuration during World War I. Incidentally, during World War II, BSA produced a similar model—the BSA Mk.V Military Roadster.
The fate of the MD-1 was determined by the M-72, and that of the ZIS-6 by the war
To what extent all this influenced the decision to choose the BSA Roadster specifically remains an open question. In any case, in early 1930, construction of a new bicycle factory began on a vacant lot near the Simonovskaya settlement. By early 1932, the main production facilities were ready; however, the first bicycles were assembled from BSA kits. This continued throughout both 1932 and 1933. The Moscow Bicycle Factory was officially launched on May 10, 1933, but actual production—that is, using components manufactured in Moscow—did not begin until 1934.
The emblem could have been different, including a decal
It should be noted that the design of the MD-1—the designation given to the MVZ’s flagship bicycle—gradually changed over time. This was due to various simplifications and improvements made during the production process, which directly affected the production cost. Another interesting point was that in 1935, the products manufactured at the Penza plant became largely standardized with the MD-1. This was a very wise decision from the standpoint of bicycle maintenance and repair.
The handles are German for now, but they will be replaced with the original ones later
It must be said that the appearance of Moscow bicycles was quite varied. The emblem could be either metal or in the form of decals. The handlebars could vary; there were three options. Models with chrome rims and chrome fenders were produced; these were, so to speak, “premium” models. For the most part, however, the bicycles looked quite standard. Moreover, the models supplied to the Red Army were in no way different from civilian ones. Given that Moscow-made products were known for their high reliability, this is not surprising.
A tool case and a pump will also be available later
Gradually, new models began to appear in the MVZ lineup, and production continued to rise. As a result, the first million bicycles were produced in Moscow as early as 1939. This made the MD-1 the most widely produced Soviet bicycle of the prewar period. It also became the most widely used bicycle in the Red Army by the start of the Great Patriotic War. Alas, it was precisely the military factor that played a fateful role in the fate of MVZ. The fact is, the Red Army was in dire need of heavy motorcycles with sidecars. In 1940, they chose the BMW R 71; its unlicensed copy was named the M-72. And so it happened that the main production line was launched in Moscow. Thus, the MVZ became the Moscow Motorcycle Plant. This was followed by an evacuation to Irbit. In short, all that remained of the bicycle factory was Velozavodskaya Street.
The exhibit is quite “popular”
The products of the Moscow Bicycle Factory are more or less well-known among bicycle enthusiasts. MD-1s, in varying states of preservation, are quite common and even take part in various events. But when you talk to colleagues in the museum field and mention the MD-1, the question “What’s that?” inevitably follows. And so it turns out that while the Red Army’s main motorcycle is well known, its main bicycle (or, more precisely, “scooter”—that’s what the military bicycle was called) is not. In fact, this bicycle isn’t even found in military museums.
It is valuable as a “time capsule”
One way or another, bicycles were actually used quite extensively in the Red Army, and they became particularly common as the army advanced westward, where the roads were in better condition. In short, this is a topic of great interest, and since military bicycles are rarely seen—try looking for German horse-drawn vehicles in museums. By the way, German soldiers on bicycles are quite a stereotype, but it’s less well known that we had them too. This is partly due to the rather ambiguous status of Red Army cyclists during the early stages of the war. It’s as if they existed, and yet it’s as if they didn’t.
It is now one of the very few MD-1s on display in museums
Now, a bicycle like this (or, in military terms, a scooter) can be seen at the “Motors of War” exhibition. This particular model was manufactured sometime around 1937. It is a classic MD-1, preserved in its original paint. It will remain in this condition—there is such a thing as a “time capsule.” Repainting it would only ruin the piece. In the future, the bicycle section will most likely be gradually expanded.
