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NotThamesWater
@oxpoleon
In a typical "I wonder" sort of mood, I decided to find out whether Joe Public could buy one of those hi-vis ambulance bikes you often see. The answer is yes, you can. If you have at least £1500 to throw away on it, that is.
Apparently, they're all provided by a single supplier, and the prices are:
£300-600 for a small list of "Carrera" brand mountain bikes, with a free decal service.
£940 for the rear panniers
£310 for the front panniers
£150 (approx) for lights, hi-viz helmet, basic toolkit.
With a setup of pretty much the bare minimum needed, it's £1700.
Now, the bikes are terrible, and the choice is limited, but at least they're the same price as they are in store, and that includes decals for whatever emergency service related wording takes your fancy, and the accessories turn out to be pretty reasonable too, when you break it down.
What I don't understand is how those panniers can possibly cost £1250. Even if they are handmade to order, that seems insane. Am I missing something, or is it a blatant rip-off?