The Thursday midnight order the banning sale of adult bicycles ended one of the best bicycle business periods in Williamsport in years in the opinion of one local dealer.

One store reported that more bicycles were sold during the last 3 months than at any time in the history of the store.

The “freezing” order left Williamsport’s stock of bicycles rather depleted, reports indicate, and sales will not be resumed until a defense worker rationing system is worked out.

Heaviest buyers of wheels this year have been middle aged couples who are taking to the two wheelers for both novelty and necessity while the family car goes into storage because of the rubber tire shortage.

Bicycle sales are usually low during January, February and March and do not take an upward trend until near school graduation time.

This year, the first quarter sales broke all records as the public turned from automobile to bicycle for transportation.

The war production board order does not affect sale of smaller sizes for boys 8-11 years and younger, but if the adults think even the smaller bikes will be okay, they are going to be fooled. Manufacturers have stopped making those sizes and only a few of them are on the market.