Royal Mail scrapping their cycle fleet

[Debian]

I didn't know what section to put this in, or even if it's already been posted somewhere.

Anyway, BikeRadar are reporting that RM are planning to scrap all but 500 of it's 24,000+ fleet of bikes. The reason given is to reduce the number of injuries to delivery workers as bikes are dangerous! In fact, accidents involving bikes come in fifth in the list of causes of injury after trips and falls, animal bites, hitting something and handling injuries

http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/royal-mail-scrap-bicycles-for-safety-reasons-25576

Apparently the bikes will be replaced with a combination of diesel vans and chinese-made battery powered carts.

What an advert for cycling and a poke in the eye for the carbon footprint argument!

 

[hackbike 666]

Perhaps I can buy a few.

 

[Will1985]

I heard that they're all being sent off to Africa. The posties who use them should get first refusal IMO.

 

[hackbike 666]

I'll check ebay.TIA

 

[psmiffy]

THat is what crossed my mind - some of the newer ones I have seen are quite nice - make good cargo bikes for shopping - wonder how much

It was probably inevitable in the present "no accident" H&S culture - total contrast with the European postal services which have always been pro-bike delivery but seem in recent times to have actually increased their fleets with some very nice models

 

[HLaB]

Did they not start scrapping their bikes months ago

 

[chap]

I heard that they're all being sent off to Africa. The posties who use them should get first refusal IMO.

Could they be a little more specific? After all it is only the 2nd largest continent on Earth

 

[Moodyman]

Are they worth buying?

Aren't they supposed to be heavy steel frames designed to take a beating. Or are they fine Chromoly frames?

 

[Debian]

All I know about them is that they're made by Pashley.

 

[psmiffy]

Yes they look heavy and I am sure that they would take a lot of punishment - but the latest incarnation around here look like they have a reasonable frame, good brakes, are derailler equipped and have a lot of load carrying capacity built in (Pashley?)- ideal for weekly shop and not that attractive to thieves

 

[Debian]

Yes they look heavy and I am sure that they would take a lot of punishment - but the latest incarnation around here look like they have a reasonable frame, good brakes, are derailler equipped and have a lot of load carrying capacity built in (Pashley?)- ideal for weekly shop and not that attractive to thieves

I believe they carry up to 40Kg of mail.

 

[Hilldodger]

I heard that they're all being sent off to Africa. The posties who use them should get first refusal IMO.

Not all of them - I know where the Nottinghamshire ones are heading and they aren't going far

 

[chap]

Damn short-sighted fool, the person who decided to get rid of them.

Although, these wonderful bikes could be put to use, take some town where there is a market, rent them off and one has something for the weekly shop (I am just elaborating on what has already been mentioned here.)

Town Bicycles (well those with baskets) are perfect for shopping and short-distance errands. I much prefer them to the car, which makes the weekly shop something of a chore that one does not quite wish to go through

I find, with the car, that I buy more rubbish as well since there is less concern with space nor use; perhaps this is why councils are doing their utmost to hinder the progression of the city through making citizens more dependant upon the car

 

[661-Pete]

Damn short-sighted fool, the person who decided to get rid of them.

Damned and short-sighted, certainly, but no fool. Probably one of these:

That's what we're being constantly told at work, each time we gripe about yet another H&S imposition. Nothing to do with workers' health and welfare, oh no it's not! A lot to do with fending off the no-win-no-fee-ambulance-chaser shysters...

God! I'm beginning to sound like a DM reader! But I don't think the DM will be picking up on this story, what?

 

[chap]

Damned and short-sighted, certainly, but no fool. Probably one of these:

That's what we're being constantly told at work, each time we gripe about yet another H&S imposition. Nothing to do with workers' health and welfare, oh no it's not! A lot to do with fending off the no-win-no-fee-ambulance-chaser shysters...

God! I'm beginning to sound like a DM reader! But I don't think the DM will be picking up on this story, what?

My good man, I can tell you are no Daily Mail reader simply on account of your sentences following on from the prior. In addition, no Daily Mail reader would end a sentence in 'what', since such style escapes them.

You are quite right though, litigation the bane of our lives, although there for a good reason: accountability is rare and apathy is prevalent, what?