Traditional postman's bike to be scrapped

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/ ... apped.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

The traditional postman’s bike is to be scrapped after Royal Mail ruled that Britain’s roads are now too dangerous.

By By Robert Winnett, Deputy Political Editor
Published: 7:30AM BST 30 Mar 2010

Tens of thousands of the Royal Mail’s bicycles are to be largely phased out with many sent to Africa.
It will mark the end of an era for postmen who used to deliver the vast majority of letters and parcels on two wheels.

The bicycles will now be largely replaced by vans – with walking postmen pushing trolleys in areas not suitable for motor vehicles.

Adam Crozier, the outgoing chief executive of the Royal Mail, disclosed the policy in a letter to a peer.

He said that bicycles “posed a wider safety risk associated with British street networks where the rider is exposed to greater risks than other vehicle users”.

“We expect to see a reduction in the number of delivery accidents as a result of our rollout of the new delivery technology, as a substantial proportion of accidents are currently liked to the use of bicycles on busy road networks,” he added.

Mr Crozier also disclosed that the Royal Mail had considered introducing “tricycles”. However, he said: “The use of freight tricycles is problematic unless terrain is extremely flat.”

Lord Berkeley, a Labour peer and keen cyclist, said the plan was a “slap in the eye” for Government attempts to encourage more cycling.

Lord Hunt, a Business minister, said: “I think we need to understand that the main reason for the change is to improve efficiency of the Post Office," he said.

He said the bicycle panniers could carry a maximum of 32kg which was often not sufficient “for the parcels and packages that are becoming an increasing part of the postman's lot to deliver”.

Last night, Royal Mail said it was not phasing out bicycles “completely”. However, a spokesman refused to say how many bicycles were being retained.

[brothermagrew]

Last I heard was that a decision has been made to phase out the Royal Mail Letters Cycle Fleet over the next couple of years, reducing the Fleet from around 28,000 down to less than 1000 as new delivery methods are introduced based mainly on Vans and Trolleys. There will remain a small number of cycles and over the shoulder pouch walks is the current assumption.

[number one]

So there getting scrapped for "health and saftey" then in the same article they mention tri-cycles and they say they are not getting rid of all of them!! So can I refuse to deliver my round on a bike now due to health and saftey???

[Straight4ward]

Adam Crozier said that bicycles “posed a wider safety risk associated with British street networks where the rider is exposed to greater risks than other vehicle users”.

What a lying toe-rag! This isn't why cycles are to be ditched. Crozier couldn't give a rat's arse about the safety of his posties.

Looks like we have to turn to Lord Hunt to get something nearer to the truth;

Lord Hunt, a Business minister, said: “I think we need to understand that the main reason for the change is to improve efficiency of the Post Office," he said.

He said the bicycle panniers could carry a maximum of 32kg which was often not sufficient “for the parcels and packages that are becoming an increasing part of the postman's lot to deliver”.

[brothermagrew]

Adam Crozier said that bicycles “posed a wider safety risk associated with British street networks where the rider is exposed to greater risks than other vehicle users”.

What a lying toe-rag! This isn't why cycles are to be ditched. Crozier couldn't give a rat's arse about the safety of his posties.

Looks like we have to turn to Lord Hunt to get something nearer to the truth;

Lord Hunt, a Business minister, said: “I think we need to understand that the main reason for the change is to improve efficiency of the Post Office," he said.

He said the bicycle panniers could carry a maximum of 32kg which was often not sufficient “for the parcels and packages that are becoming an increasing part of the postman's lot to deliver”.

Afraid not another Peer who is talking porkies - Cycle panniers can only carry 8kg max each side (CWU Lighten the Load document).

[Straight4ward]

What I said was that we had to turn to Lord Hunt to get something nearer the truth - - - and he's bang on, it's all about capacity! F**k all to do with safety.

I'm fully aware that you'd really have to go some to manage 32kgs in the paniers. Even The King of The Mountains from the Tour De France would struggle to cycle with that load on board even on the flat.

[number one]

32kgs is the maximum the bikes are meant to carry 16kgs in the front ant 8kgs in each pannier.

[Big Daz]

A poor choice of words by the peer, nothing more nothing less.

[johnsouthwales]

keep the bikes...dont put so much of a load if they're that concerned about health and safety