Postal pedal power

The USPS News Link reports that the Sun City, AZ, Main Post Office is using pedal power to lower its fuel costs.

According to the report, its letter carriers ride bicycles on 37 delivery routes — saving USPS $24,000 in annual gasoline costs at current prices. Bicycle delivery conserves 7,800 gallons of gasoline annually when compared to Long Life Vehicle delivery and eliminates 25,000 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

All Sun City carriers with bike routes received new wheels in November. “We’re thankful to have our fleet replaced,” Sun City Postmaster Mark Strong said. “Now our red, white and blue fleet of bicycles can maintain green delivery.”

In more than 25 years of bike deliveries, none of the town’s postal cyclists have ever experienced a runaway bike, and they have suffered fewer injuries than letter carriers delivering mail on motorized routes.

Only one other location in the country — St. Petersburg, FL — uses bicycle delivery.

Shown above in a USPS photo, Sun City, AZ, Letter Carrier Terry Hesselrode.