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The sturdy bikes sell for half the price of new models - you can even choose the paint colour
A subsidiary of La Poste is encouraging green modes of transport by refurbishing and selling electric bicycles previously used by postal workers for their daily rounds.
Nouvelle Attitude, a company that helps people in unstable situations return to work, has been repairing the bikes in its workshop in Tours since August, with another site in development in Rouen.
High quality and robust
The bicycles cost €1,320 and can be delivered anywhere in France within 20km of your home, or even elsewhere in Europe.
“When you consider the quality and robustness, it is a good price.
These are not entry-level models, and cost €3,000 new,” said Serge Da Silva, business development manager at Nouvelle Attitude.
“There are slight differences with other electric bikes. The assistance is very obvious, so when you are on the bike, it is comfortable.”
Read more: Does France still offer aid to buy an electric bike?
Post office bike tells a story
While it is practical for carrying the shopping or even pets, for other clients there is an emotional draw to owning a postal worker’s bicycle.
“It’s a bit like the 2CV [Citroën car]. It tells a story.”
They have already sold 400 bikes since August, and are aiming to sell 2,000 this year.
Most clients are individuals, but they are also targeting businesses and local authorities.
Newspaper Ouest-France uses them for part of its deliveries, for environmental and economic reasons, as petrol prices remain high.
Read more: Petrol prices remain high in France despite drops in many EU countries
Choose your paint colour
The bikes arrive at the workshop after being used by postal workers for five years.
They are fully dismantled, then put back together and painted. The whole process takes an entire day.
They are painted a wide variety of colours to distinguish them from the yellow bikes of La Poste.
Clients can order one that is already in stock, or personalise the colours for €145 extra.
Bikes can be ordered online.
They can currently be viewed at Le Rayon Vert in Clamart (92) and APF in Noisy (93), but soon you will be able to test them at resellers in other towns including Lorient, Poitiers and Le Havre.
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