"During World War II, the bicycle was used by ever-increasing numbers... a necessity created by... shortage of automobiles, and... rationing... tires and gasoline. Many... remember... the advantages of... bicycle over... automobile, especially for short-distance... and have held... their 2-wheeled machines."
January 1, 1970
https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Catalog_of_the_Cycle_Collection_(Smithsonian_Bulletin_204)