New fleet of mopeds means less parcel trips to Australia Post

Online shopping just got easier, with motorised postie mopeds being rolled out that will mean fewer trips to the post office to collect parcels, The Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

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Online shopping just got easier, with motorised postie mopeds being rolled out that will mean fewer trips to the post office to collect parcels.

Unlike the “red rattler” Honda motorbikes that carry mail in cloth sacks, a new fleet of tricycle motorcycles come with lockup compartments giving posties the freedom to hand-deliver parcels without worrying the rest of their mail will be stolen while they’re not looking.

Until now posties haven’t been able to let the motorcycles out of their sight, leaving no choice other than to leave a delivery slip in the mailbox if front doors or apartment building intercoms can’t be seen from the footpath.

Postie John Alvarez on the new motorised mopeds. Picture: Tim Hunter

The mopeds have lockup compartments for packages. Picture: Tim Hunter

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“With the moped I can get out and take parcels to five houses at a time if I need to — no problem,” postie John Alvarez said.

The electronic delivery vehicles nicknamed “eevee” can reach 45km/h, have an eight-hour battery life, can be tracked by GPS and travel along footpaths, and have more space for parcels.

According to Australia Post, the number of parcels delivered has increased by 8 per cent every year for the last five years and last financial year the number of parcels ordered from overseas spiked 46 per cent.

In the early 1920s, mail was delivered using one of these bikes.

And in the 70s, mail was delivered by horse.

Even after riding the classic motorbike for 25 years, Mr Alvarez is adamant the mopeds are the future because they’re more secure and don’t give him a sore back.

“The mopeds carry far more parcels and you don’t have to worry they’ll get nicked, because they’re extremely secure,” he said.

“Come Friday I don’t feel nearly as tight as what I do when I ride the motorbikes because I’m sitting upright the whole time, not bending over and putting my foot on the ground all the time.”

The current bikes have been in operation for 25 years. Picture: Supplied

After a successful pilot in Newcastle last year, 10 mopeds have been delivered to mail distribution centres across Sydney with more to come in the second half of the year.

“We expect to have considerably fewer motorbikes than people are used to,” Australia Post general manager of network optimisation and business efficiency Mitch Buxton said.

“Our business in letters is in decline but we’re seeing a massive increase in parcels because of online shopping and these tricycles can carry more parcels.”

The mopeds are manufactured in Switzerland, but have been modified to account for Australia’s harsh conditions, including a tinted roof that blocks out damaging UV rays and offers crash protection.

Originally published as New fleet of mopeds means less parcel trips to Australia Post