Pedal cycles
The BPMA has a collection of around 30 cycles of various different types. They are housed in our Museum Store in Essex.
The Post Office introduced a Standard bicycle in 1929. This this style remained the same until the late 1990s. In addition, tricycles were used until the end of the Second World War to carry parcels. Five wheeled ‘pentacycles’ were also tried for a short time.
Here are four examples of cycles in our collection:
Replica pentacycle, 1930, accession number: OB1996.252/3
This is a replica of a five-wheeled cycle (pentacycle or centre-cycle)
made in 1930. The Pentacycle was originally invented and patented by Edward
Burstow, an architect, from Horsham, Sussex in 1882.
Postal officials at Horsham tried out these cycles for both postal and telegraph delivery work. Although the centre-cycle did not prove popular elsewhere, the Horsham postal workers wrote a letter of appreciation to Mr Burstow, praising the pentacycle.
Double top tube standard delivery bicycle, 1929-1992, accession number: OB1995.224/2
This is an example of a delivery
bicycle produced to the standard specifications established by The Post Office
in 1929. With little variation it remained in production until 1992.
This cycle has a Double Top Tube frame, which is designed to carry a taller rider. This Double Top Tube was one of three frame designs for Post Office Standard cycles. The others were Gentlemen's and Ladies'.
The standard bicycle weighed up to 23kgs and had to last four years before replacement.
Inspector’s bicycle, 1956, accession number: 2006.0150
This bicycle was probably used by a Post Office manager or inspector. We can tell this because it is black. The usual delivery cycles were always red. It was produced by Tyseley in 1929, to the standard Post
Office design.
The initials GPO (General Post Office) can be seen worked into the design of the chain wheel – a feature that started in the early-1930s.
Inspectors' bicycles like this were used until the mid-1980s when they were phased out and replaced by motor vehicles.
Mailstar bicycle, 2001, accession number: 2001.0048
This cycle is the last of this model produced by Pashley Ltd. It was one of the new delivery bicycles for the 21st century,
introduced by Royal Mail in 2001.
It includes many of the technical advances already put into commercial production by cycle manufacturers. It features a unisex, step-through frame so that it can be used by both postmen and postwomen. It also has lever-operated cable hub brakes. The metal carrier at the front can carry loads up to 24KGs. This would have a plastic tray in it to hold the mail bag. It also has a twist action control for the five-speed gears.
