Japanese Bicycle-mounted Troops in the Philippines; Wikimedia Commons

In WWII, bicycles were quiet, flexible transport for thousands of Japanese troops who used them to surprise and confuse defenders.

In 1937, 50,000 Japanese bicycle troops participated in the invasion of China.

In 1941, the Japanese army rode bicycles through Malaya to capture Singapore.

On bicycles, Japanese troops moved faster than retreating Allied Forces. Often spurning main routes, Japanese troops travelled along plantation roads, native paths and over improvised bridges to surprise Allied troops defending the expected roads and river crossings.