Motorcycles

 "I heartily dislike the notion of sending the boys out on red machines like imps from hell".

BSA solo motorcycle in GPO livery. This image is from around 1936, as the machine has a rare 'E VIII R' cypher (for King Edward VIII) on the petrol tank.

Following the successful use by contractors of motor cycles fitted with side carriers, the Post Office carried out their own experiments. Twenty vehicles were purchased in 1914 and introduced on rural delivery and collection services. Four tri-cars were also purchased.

Following the First World War, more reliable and higher powered machines were available and their use was extended to town deliveries.

The first experimental use of solo motorcycles began in 1924. By the end of the following year some 400 motorcycles of various makes were in use on both delivery and collection work. 

Postman and BSA solo motorcycle on postal delivery work near Tavistock, 1929.

However, although motorcycles were initially regarded as an economic option, they came to be regarded unfavourably compared with the light motor vans that had a greater load capacity and provided better protection from the weather.

Riders had mixed feelings on their vehicles:

"Last week she took me up Nob Hill on top just like a bloomin’ nightingale, and I’d got a good load on ‘er too. But she’s never the same two days together boy. Now today she was a-snortin’ like a blinkin’ bacon pig, an’ she wouldn’t pull th’ skin off a tapioca pudding."

Probably the most fondly remembered motorcycle used by the Post Office was the BSA Bantam. This small and popular motorcycle was manufactured between 1948 and 1971. Special GPO models were produced and they were used for both telegraph and letters work. With the demise of this motorcycle, further trials were held with the smaller mopeds available on the market.

Raleigh mopeds were trailled for use on postal work in 1962-63. Deemed a success, mopeds were introduced as standard equipment in 1967. Another fifty Raleighs were ordered but these were regarded as very expensive. Honda mopeds were considered but at least one PO official voiced their concern:

"… We have not used a foreign vehicle on postal work before. Candidly, while I recognise the commercial argument, I find the idea of buying a Japanese machine rather unpatriotic…"

The amount of machines ordered was overestimated. Rather than keep a large number in stock, the Motor Transport Division allocated many of them to telegraph work. The fleet of telegraph vehicles then consisted almost solely of 125cc motorcycles.

Despite niggling patriotic doubts, a lack of suitable British motorcycles meant that marques such as Honda and Kawasaki came to be used for express services such as Datapost.

Photograph of Honda Quad-bike, used on Scottish island of Kerrera, January 2002.