Injury Rates for Cycling Postmen Increase Despite Bike Fleet Reduction
September 17th, 2012
A move by Royal Mail to try and cut injuries by reducing postmen on bikes has proved unsuccessful.
In 2010 bosses at the company made the decision to cut down the amount of postmen on bikes in the hope that injury rates within the company would decrease.
However despite cutting back its Scottish cycling fleet from 526 in 2010 to just over 400 in 2011 the number of accidents on bikes has actually increased from 9 to 10.
A move by Royal Mail to try and cut injuries by reducing postmen on bikes has proved unsuccessful.
In 2010 bosses at the company made the decision to cut down the amount of postmen on bikes in the hope that injury rates within the company would decrease.
However despite cutting back its Scottish cycling fleet from 526 in 2010 to just over 400 in 2011 the number of accidents on bikes has actually increased from 9 to 10.
A freedom of information request also revealed that there had been a total of 53 recorded accidents involving post workers on bikes since 2008.
“I’m baffled as to why the Royal Mail would stop postal workers from using bicycle,” said national director for Sustrans Scotland John Lauder.
“That’s certainly not a high number of accidents and in terms of the health of postal workers it would be much better for them to be out on bicycles, getting exercise and fresh air. The Royal Mail is doing its employees a huge disservice by failing to give them every opportunity for exercise.
“Using bicycles would also help Royal Mail reduce congestion and improve its carbon footprint. I cannot understand why they would chose to burn more petrol when they should be looking at ways to cut money.
“They should really be increasing their numbers of bicycles not cutting them down.”
In 2010 the injuries recorded on Royal Mail’s books included a bruised shoulder, a bruised rib and a cut knee.
239 postal workers were injured in other vehicles in the same year.
A spokesperson for the Royal Mail said, “The ultimate aim would be to stop all accidents on bicycles altogether.”
“Developments such as the increase in online shopping have changed type of mail we typically handle, with larger and heavier packets often needing to be delivered. We have been progressively replacing bicycles and mailbags with trolleys and vans in order to deal with mail more effectively.”
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