For some San Luis Obispo residents, gifts from Santa may arrive by bicycle this year.

UPS has dispatched two employees, on bikes, to deliver packages around the city, company spokesman Andy McGowan said. The bicyclists meet at a central collection point, where packages are loaded onto a trailer behind it. Then, they cycle to their destinations.

One cyclist handles 48 stops; the other 58.

“It varies widely from year to year, but we do utilize this approach where it makes the most sense,” he said. “And we do have that in SLO; two bicycle helpers in the area.”

McGowan isn’t sure when the delivery by bicycle began, but he said it’s used in select markets to reduce the “presence of delivery trucks in neighborhoods.” Deliveries by bicycle are also being made in Santa Maria, Santa Barbara, Ventura and Newbury Park.

“We always explore different ways to operate efficiently and reduce environmental impacts,” he said.

UPS had its peak holiday delivery day on Thursday, with about 28 million packages delivered worldwide.