Signing bikes in and out.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

[TrueBlueTerrier]

we also have a list of Royal Mail common terms, slang and abbreviations at http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 36&t=12657" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[andy2007]

All our bikes have locks, are serviced every 6 months and a cycle history maintained every time the cycle is either serviced or repaired for whatever reason. In the event of an accident/incident that service history would have to be produced as evidence of maintenance. There are areas close to us that have 150 cycles, we used to have 52 - it is now down to 16 and I think the reason for the attitude of signing cycles in/out is two fold one is an H & S issue and the other and more germane is they are trying to get rid of the cycles. I don't see the necessity to sign the cycle in and out every day as long as the usage is signed for, the exception would be for day off cover if there aren't enough spares.
Most ex cycle users now use and prefer the HCTs.

Your bikes are better looked after than our van's!. Now what hurt's more a 10kg bike or a 1705kg van with no brakes MOT or TAX DISC!.

You should be checking the MOT and Tax, before you use it. Are you mad?!?!?!?
Quite apart from the legal implications: The Insurance isn't valid without an MOT, so that's 6 points for no Insurance (not sure if there's points for no MOT). There's the danger that you'd be posing by driving something in that state. If the MOT or Tax (often out of date because of no MOT) isn't up to date, or if you have any other concerns, during the Pre Shift Checks. DON'T DRIVE IT!!!!!

Remember: If you cause a fatal RTA, because you didn't make sure the vehicle was safe before your shift. You will have to live with the guilt for the rest of your life! It just isn't worth it!

[edy]

We have been told that as from May 09 all our bikes are going to be replaced by Electric HCT for deliveries within 1 mile of office,all the rest done by a 'shared van',2 people + 2 walks + 2 golf trolleys

[DGP1]

We have been told that as from May 09 all our bikes are going to be replaced by Electric HCT for deliveries within 1 mile of office,all the rest done by a 'shared van',2 people + 2 walks + 2 golf trolleys

I thought the electric HCT didn't work and was binned (along with the motorised trike and the trailers for bikes).

I suppose brothermagrew will have the details.

[woofwoof]

we take our bikes home cos they know if we take them back we would all be claiming overtime

[Thorby Bislam]

Been off this week but apparently this has started in our office as well. Either we work in the same office or its something they are trying to do all over the offices. Makes sense in that it stops people taking keys home especially when they have the next day off or are on holiday. On a daily basis we have people not being able to find a bike when ready to go on delivery.

It's possible. Dont give out your location, but tell me: does your town have a ruined castle and a football team that plays it's home games in a town about 30 miles away ?

[norfolk n chance]

we take our bikes home cos they know if we take them back we would all be claiming overtime

yes we all take our bikes home too,

everyone who uses a bike in our office has their own bike, they look after them better that way



Our bikes are well looked after and serviced regularly [ i would say that though as i do them ]

[DGP1]

we take our bikes home cos they know if we take them back we would all be claiming overtime

yes we all take our bikes home too,

everyone who uses a bike in our office has their own bike, they look after them better that way



Our bikes are well looked after and serviced regularly [ i would say that though as i do them ]

You wouldn't take a van home so why do people take RM bikes home

[norfolk n chance]

Last time bikes were left in our office yard they were stolen

They are safer at home, our vans are regularly broken into at night.


And the guys need transport to get to the pub

[DGP1]

Last time bikes were left in our office yard they were stolen

They are safer at home, our vans are regularly broken into at night.


And the guys need transport to get to the pub

That's RMs problem not yours, if they can't provide security for their property then what chance do they have providing mail security if they can ignore the problem then they'll never fix it.

[brothermagrew]

We have been told that as from May 09 all our bikes are going to be replaced by Electric HCT for deliveries within 1 mile of office,all the rest done by a 'shared van',2 people + 2 walks + 2 golf trolleys

I thought the electric HCT didn't work and was binned (along with the motorised trike and the trailers for bikes).

I suppose brothermagrew will have the details.

Brother disgruntledpostie1 afraid that I have no idea on whether the EHCT has been scrapped or not. Last LTB that I saw was as below:

LTB 653/08 - Electric High Capacity Trolley (EHCT) and the DDA

No. 653/’08
Ref: 2.40.1/LR/DGN
Date: 21st August 2008

To: All Postal Branches

Dear Colleague



Electric High Capacity Trolley (EHCT) and the DDA

The Equal Opportunities Department has been made aware of a new initiative, which we believe would be a real benefit to some of our members who have permanent or long terms injuries or who have a disability.



The Walk Design Group (WDG) have carried out an assessment of the EHCT and believe that an EHCT would be ideal for a person who through injury or disability is unable to lift or perform the manual handling aspects of a delivery. If the person is covered by the DDA, then supplying them with an EHCT would form part of a reasonable adjustment as required by the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA). Where a justified DDA case for the provision of an ECHT is put to Royal Mail, then Royal Mail would be willing to fund and provide one.



As is standard procedure, the delivery route has to be risk assessed to make sure it is EHCT compliant and also each person must be assessed to ensure that they are capable of using the EHCT, as capabilities will vary from individual to individual.



Usually the reason an ordinary HCT is not suitable is the terrain. Obviously the intention is that the trolley, which has the capacity to carry the entire delivery (70k of mail/packets), does so. Consequently, where a walk is within a mile of the office but has steep gradients, the HCT is not a safe option. The ECHT does away with the need to carry more than one bundle of mail at a time, no pouches or bags of mail to lift and no need for replenishment or for pouch boxes.



Branches should be aware that funding is available from Access to Work, which through its grant system, helps employers with additional employment costs that can result from a reasonable adjustment requirement.



Circulated with this LTB for your information is an agreement between Royal Mail and Access to Work. - (See LTB 653/08 dated 21 August 2008 on CWU website).

Any enquiries to the Equal Opportunities Department, quoting reference 2.40.1, email address: dgittens@cwu.org.

Yours sincerely

Linda Roy Dave Joyce

Equality Officer National Health, Safety & Environment

[orienteer]

[dvbuk55]

EHCTs' are, as far as I am aware, dead in the water.

There was a number of issues that caused concern weight and the fact that you needed a tail lift vehicle to move them especially if they went wrong - I forget what the unladen weight was but is was something like 250lbs - I'm sure we were due to get some but I was told they weren't pursuing them - that was last year of course.

[theflyingpostman]

Anybody else have to sign PO bikes out every morning ?
Our line managers (DOM's on holiday) have just started this week insisting we hand in our bike keys to the security locker,
and sign them out every morning. And back in when we get back.
I know it'll stop people taking the keys home with them, but it seems a bit heavy-handed. Especially as we are being
threatened with the conduct code, on a H & S basis, if we dont comply.

It may be that this routinely happens everywhere else and our DO is belatedly catching up. That wouldn't surprise me.
Or it may be that our managers are flexing their muscles while the DOM's away. Either way, I've not heard of it before.
And if it is commonplace, can it be classed as a H & S issue ?

We're allowed to take our bikes home like a couple of the other posters here are.

This has gone on well before I started deliveries,back to the time when we had a real 2nd delivery probably.

We have to sign a piece of paper to say that if we take it home it will be stored in a secure place and will be locked. And that we must cycle the most direct route to and from the office. (Can't go to Sainsburys on the way home for example) When we are on annual leave the bikes must be left at the office.

Just like dvbuk55's D.O. our bike's are well maintained and are given a regular 6 monthly service

As for the idea of signing keys in and out of the Security/Reg locker could pose a problem at our office, as it's closed when I get back.