I think it is important to stress the social and military importance of the humble Pedal Bicycle at the time. Fuel was in short supply, strictly rationed and post war, also rubber was a major statigic commodity. Any use of steel had to be carefully considered , and production time on machinery, so no fripperies. Yet the average person still had to move! To work, to shop, social life. Doctors had to visit patients, Vets, Police, District Nurses, all had to be able to move around, and carry equipment. Look at the cost of these machines, they were over the average weeks wages, not cheap bits of kit.