Very sensible design!Found on http://www.roadtransport.com


for more postal carrier vehicles, the variety was astounding! http://justacarguy.blogspot.com/2010/12/postal-delivery-vehicles-from-vespa-to.html
a 1917 image via: http://www.shorpy.com/ had me look this up
From 1918 is the Museum’s Autoped Motor Scooter, made by the Autoped Company of Long Island City, New York. This compact scooter was designed for short distances, in that it had small (15-inch) tires at either end of a short platform on which the driver stood. Once the destination was reached, the steering column, which contained all operating controls, was folded down over the platform and the entire scooter could be stored in a compact space.
All control of the vehicle is through the steering column. Turning the column steers the machine in the conventional manner; pushing it forward engages the clutch; and pulling it back operates the internal, expanding brake on the front wheel.