Health and safety anxieties will lead to postmen being forbidden to ride bicycles on their daily rounds.
Royal Mail’s field operations director Paul Tolhurst stated that bikes are no longer practical as postal workers are sometimes forced to carry over two stone at a time.
He blamed an increase in the posting of heavier items, such as books and DVDs.
The company currently has over 14,000 bikes, but fears over "long-term muscular and skeletal impact" mean they will all be replaced in the coming years as part of a £2 billion pound modernisation plan.
Royal Mail is also promising a better Saturday service and a postal tracking system.
Mr Tolhurst also said that there had been more accidents involving cycling postmen carrying weighty bags on busy roads.
"It is a matter of safety," he added.
Universities and science secretary David Willetts has been campaigning for the Royal Mail to continue using bikes and commented that he was "quite disappointed" by the decision.
Posted by Hayley Edwards
So the government’s cycle to work scheme gets the green light and support from SUStrans at the same time the Post Office announce the death of the cycling postman.
Am I the only person to find this ironic?
14,000 second hand bikes probably equals about 1% of Adam Crozier’s golden farewell!
Why not supply a 3 wheeler with an ET basket or saddle bags? Much safer. Not forgetting a helmet for the postie obviously!
Surely the use of cycles should be optional based on age & fitness of user. Cycling is obviously a healthy pastime whether work or leisure and the long term health benefits may will outweigh the risks. Our Company is encouraging employees to exercise more not less as a healthy lifestyle is a benefit to both individual & Eemployer.
There will also be a financial & environmental cost to these changes.
What are they seeking to replave them with???
Why is it seen as better for post man to walk around with an extra 2 stone but not to cycle with it.
Surely they need to either get more suitable bikes rather than change to walking with a heavy load.
Surely the detrimental effects on long term musculature and skeletal problems is just the same if not worse walking.
I hope Royal Mail will be seeking a better biking solution rather than having more cars/vans on the road
The cycle in the photo is outdated and the carrier at the front obviously makes the bike unstable. Having a cycle is not only a healthy way to work, but also useful for getting around difficult places so why don’t they get up to date bicycles with sensible carriers on both sides of the wheels at the back of the bike with just a small holder at the front for smaller items? That way they could carry more and the cycle would also be stable. Also give them all bike helmets as a safety measure and good reflective clothing. Surely more pleasurable for the postmen and a good moving advertisement for a modern and safe postal service!
Just when some businesses were getting to grips with “sensuble risk management” the PO pull a stunt like this. Why not put a trailer on the bikes, which would allow for better control of the bike, but also serve to give them extra stability. A little thought is all that’s required really. Anyone remember thinking? Apparently not at the PO.
pity no one stopped me when i was a butcher boy or when i was a grocery boy. travelled many miles each day as did most of outr friends. No accidents. It would seem that under 15 we are ok. might need to look at the age profile.
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