056 · Bike Courier Services

Today, more and more companies in various sectors are offering home delivery services by cyclists. This alternative to traditional motorized deliveries is much more eco-friendly, and could allow you to earn a significant additional income, or even a full salary if you manage to work enough hours.

• Here's the program
• What is it all about?
• What is the ideal profile to become a bike courier?
• How much can you earn?
• How do I get started?
• How to choose your bike?
• The risks of this activity
• Conclusion
• EcoTips
• Pros and Cons
• Information recap

What is it all about?

Also called “cyclo-messenger”, this courier is a person who provides a delivery service on a bicycle, and not with the usual more polluting means of transportation. We see more and more of them on the streets of big cities, mainly because it allows companies and their delivery service to save fuel, which prices are reaching high levels, to save time especially where traffic is very dense, and also to show that environmental issues are at the heart of their concerns. This last characteristic is not only important since it allows them, at their level, to act against climate change, but also attracts customers who are worried about the future of the planet.

The types of goods distributed in this way are quite diverse but are generally either mail exchanged between companies (remember the film “Premium Rush” in the streets of New York?), packages delivered from a store directly to the customer, or “food delivery”, another trend that has been very popular in recent years (especially since the great COVID-19 confinement), which consists of having a meal delivered to the home.

I had already written an article specifically dedicated to food delivery, but I wanted to explain that there were other types of two-wheel deliveries. It’s now done, so consider this article as a complement to that one.

What is the ideal profile to become a bike courier?

This job is for any adult or student, man or woman, who knows how to ride a bike and is physically fit enough to do this type of activity for several hours in a row, and several times a week. This last point is important because it is not a question of making deliveries like “a Sunday strolls” but rather of rushing (while respecting the traffic rules and remaining cautious, of course) in order to ensure a maximum of deliveries each day.

You will sometimes have to drive on difficult and bad roads, sometimes under the rain or even the snow, and to climb endless and tiring ascents… all these reasons make this activity to be classified in the category of the most painful to exert. Unless of course you work in a small modern town located in a flat land (if you don’t drive electric) and where the climate is mostly dry and hot (if that exists? 😁 ).

On top of that you’ll need to buy the basic equipment if you don’t already own it, as companies don’t always provide it: a bike that is both sturdy and comfortable (it can be a bike or even an electric scooter if you can afford it) and a smartphone, so you can connect to your company’s delivery app and thus see the deliveries you’ll have to make during your work shift but also to guide you to the right address.

It’s also best to live in a large city to hope to get job offers, as deliveries are rare in small towns and villages (however, don’t hesitate to ask around; you never know, after all, any business may need this kind of service!).

How much can you earn?

Remuneration varies from one company to another (and especially from one country to another), and they do not all work in the same way: Some pay per delivery or daily rate, others per kilometer driven or per hour. It also depends on the type of deliveries you make (food, mail, parcels… which I mentioned above).

However, you should know that most companies will not hire you as an employee but as an independent subcontractor. This is a somewhat precarious condition because you won’t have job security (you can be fired at any time), but you will have in return a large control (depending on each case) on the hours you work.

Do not hesitate to compare the offers you find to know which ones are the most advantageous for you, and also pay attention to the insurance service: Many companies do not offer any, and in this case it will be at your expense.

Finally, note that the average salary for a full-time bike courier is $26,000 USD in the US, and £23,000 (£12/hour) in the UK.

Riding in the city, especially at night when traffic is heavy, is not always safe, so stay alert. Photo: Brett Jordan

How do I get started?

The first thing to do is to launch a Google search with appropriate keywords and the name of the city where you live (or where you want to work). You will then come across platforms specialized in the relationship between couriers and companies (e.g. Deliveroo, Uber Eats for food), or parcel delivery companies actively looking for couriers in the area (e.g. UPS or DHL), or others who just need to deliver mail locally (e.g. post office).

Social networks are also a very effective way to find work. Most companies now communicate their job offers directly through these networks and it is therefore very easy to respond to them. You can also contact a company directly, especially via LinkedIn, and offer your services.

And don’t forget to talk about it around you (word-of-mouth has been working very well for centuries) and above all to go and look in the classified ads, on the Internet or in the local newspapers. It may be for some people a little “old school” way to find a job, but it is still effective.

How to choose your bike?

It is important to have a good bike for this kind of mission. And given the nature of the task, it is preferable to have a good one, comfortable so that your trips are the least tiring possible, and equipped with good tires to have a good grip and also not to risk punctures (remember to carry a repair kit with you anyway).

Some companies will ask you to ride a “cargo bike”, often mounted on three wheels (but not always). This type of vehicle is a bit trickier, even technical to drive, and it requires a learning curve that is best anticipated before you start working.

Example of weird bikes that you might have to drive

It’s also important to have the right equipment: a helmet with a visor, a waterproof carrier (and an insulated bag if you’re carrying food), a light on the front and back for safety, especially if you’re working in the evening or at night, and a lock to protect your bike during your deliveries. Some delivery companies may provide some or all of the equipment (with their logo), but in most cases you will have to provide it yourself.

More and more delivery drivers are opting for an electric bike (or even a scooter). This is an excellent idea if, for example, you are not physically fit for this type of activity and you can afford the extra cost. Be careful though because the risk of having your “vehicle” stolen is higher, and don’t forget to take into account the cost as well as the time to recharge the battery in your calculations.

Instead of buying a bike or a scooter, some people have chosen to use self-service bicycle or scooter offered by operators such as Bird, Lime or Dott. Most of them propose subscriptions or packages at very attractive prices. It’s up to you to see what’s available in your city.

The risks of this activity

I mentioned the risks of having your bike stolen, but the biggest danger will come from the road traffic. This danger can be more or less important depending on the city where you work and, therefore, depends on the density of the traffic, the quality of the roads, the presence of bike lanes or not, the quality of the public lighting, etc.

It is absolutely crucial to keep your eyes open and to pay attention to what is going on around you while you are on the road. Routine and fatigue are your greatest enemies and are the main reason you are likely to have an accident. So stay alert, anticipate the movement of other vehicles around you, and you should be fine.

Finally, wear anything that will allow you to be easily spotted on the traffic: light colored clothing, preferably red, orange, or yellow, a jacket with reflective elements, etc.

Conclusion

Comme je l’ai expliqué, une bonne condition physique est requise même si vous roulez à l’électrique, car les heures sont longues et les conditions de roulage et météorologiques sont souvent éreintantes. Cela mis à part, c’est une activité assez facile, voire même agréable, qui vous offre une assez grande flexibilité dans les heures que vous presterez. Il faudra juste trouver le moyen de transport le plus adapté pour vous, et surtout bien vous équiper.