The Royal Mail has planned to scrap bikes for postal workers and buy extra vans instead. A petition has been started on the government's website to allow postal workers the option of delivering the mail by bike.

Simon Burgess, Labour & Co-op candidate for Brighton Kemptown at the general election, a cyclist himself, has signed the petition.

Mr Burgess said:
"I deliver my campaign newsletters and leaflets every week and I know how valuable local knowledge is. Posties on their bikes know an area better than anyone else, Royal Mail is rolling out a programme of replacing these personal rounds with extra vans that have groups of roving postmen to deliver en masse. Not only does it mean the extra costs and congestion of more vans but I am sure it is a false economy because there are many roads and estates in every community where you need to learn the complicated rounds.

"Royal Mail management need to listen to postmen and women who want to retain their community knowledge and links."
 
To sign the petition visit:
www.petitions.number10.gov.uk/Royalmailbikes/