Hi everyone!

I’m considering starting as a self-employed bike courier in a small town and I’m looking for advice from experienced couriers. In my town, aside from food delivery riders working for specific restaurants, there’s no direct competition in the courier service space. So, I would be the first bike courier, which seems both exciting and challenging!

Since I’ve read that starting in large cities is often discouraged, I’m hoping that a small town might offer opportunities due to the lack of competition. But I’m wondering:

1. How can I best start finding clients? What types of businesses or sectors should I approach in a smaller town? Any tips for building a steady client base?
2. What services tend to appeal to customers in small towns? Besides parcel deliveries and documents, are there other services I could offer to attract more clients?
3. Is there any last-mile software that works well for a one-person business? I want to work as efficiently as possible, especially when starting with a small customer base. Any recommendations are welcome!
4. How can I differentiate myself from food delivery riders? Since food delivery is already common, I’m wondering how I can position my services as unique and make it clear that I offer a broader courier service.

A little about my plans: I’m starting this business part-time while continuing to work part-time for an employer. Eventually, I hope to transition into full-time self-employment and make a living from it. If things go well, I’d even like to hire other couriers in the future, but that’s a longer-term goal.

I’m curious to hear your experiences, especially if any of you have ever started a courier service yourselves. Any input is appreciated, from marketing tips to dealing with logistics challenges in a small town. Thanks in advance!

what do you do if you can't afford to call out of work, or can't find a cover for your shift ?

I'm guessing most people use that landyard thing that wraps around your wrist? But does that really hold onto your wrist that tight.

I ask because I'm usually okay if I have energy. But I notice on days where I'm tired, I can end up doping clumsy shit. Like not habing9tight grip in things. But I need to stop playing around before, one day I end up slipping and losing them again.

I think I didn't buy those wrist things for a minute, because they ways looked girly to me lol. But I found one in black, not sure if it's different quality levels or not.

Hey Bike Messengers!

I’m a cycling enthusiast here in New York City, looking to start working as an independent bike courier. The idea of turning my passion for riding into a job sounds amazing, but I’m not fully sure what’s needed to get started legally and safely.

So, for those of you with experience in this field: What’s required to work as an independent bike courier here in the U.S.? I’m talking permits, insurance, tax stuff—any info you think a newbie should know!

Thanks a ton in advance for any advice or resources you can share! See you on the street.

Hey all!

I’m looking to get some input from experienced NYC bike couriers. If you’re going full speed for a delivery from Manhattan all the way to the city limits, what’s a realistic time you’d expect? And how about if you’re riding at a normal, steady pace when it’s less urgent?

Your insights would really help with planning.

Thanks a ton in advance for sharing your experience!

Martin

Founder/Provider of BikeMessenger24

https://youtu.be/Elyzwttr_B8?si=AUpsnQEbbBkWtcz7

https://youtu.be/q6EmbaZYRn8?si=4HWgFxNQvPRCVHNq

One of the homies caught me on the bike at a red light so I'll post that when I see it.

What up everybody? How's the "traditional" paper messenger work in your city? I'm in trucking now and have been out of the mess game for about 3 years. During my time riding in the 2010's, I was seeing a gradual slowdown with bike shipment volumes year-over-year. Seems like COVID was a huge blow for central business districts where bike messengers thrive. I'm in Chicago and noticed that a lot of bikers were laid off, courier companies closed down, etc, and there was never really a significant rebound after COVID. In general, it seems quieter downtown, and the paper scene seems much smaller now, with only like 2 companies and maybe 2 dozen bike messengers still out here. (Sidenote for any Chicago people: does Arrow still run bikes?)

Some things I'm curious about:

• Do you see any signs of growth for bike messenger work where you are at? Are there any courier companies actively increasing their bike fleets, or new companies that are forming?
• How many companies with bike service / bike couriers are still left in your city?
• Have you noticed a change in the types of shipments you're running? (ex: less courthouse work now because filing processes become more digitized, but maybe more shipments moving something else?)
• Are there any other differences/trends you've seen over the past 5 or so years?

The food scene seems about the same, just with a lot more people doing food apps now. When I visit NYC, I've noticed that like 95% of bike couriers are using e-bikes. Some of the app riders have e-bikes in Chicago (or e-Divvy's lol), but most of the 'oldschool' couriers don't have e-bikes yet.

I'd love to hear the thoughts of couriers that are still out there! xo

Hello young messengers! As the title says, I'm considering selling my old bag. Purchased in 2001 and still as strong as it's always been. It's got some grime but that's about it. Curious what kind of offers y'all might have? Thanks!

https://preview.redd.it/pjb42jyfr0wd1.jpg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=8a46ae75dd06a4cb2603bbaf2fdf08b16ed64845

https://preview.redd.it/3jarbghjr0wd1.jpg?width=4284&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=a12d82145dade9ed4c10db1565dfc5e992959002

I want to deliver for uber eats by bike but it won't let me if i don't have a drivers license even if i want to deliver by bike

Thanks to Bob for getting this proclamation done.

Just ducking my head into the community to wish everyone a great Bicycle Messenger Appreciation Day. Stay safe and stay fast.

Hey guys. I am a bicycle courier for Budapest. I have been delivering for over year and since this year I have been doing it on an ebike. The reason for this is mainly the fact I work in a districts with huge hills, therefore I need the electric help. The bike originally comes with a super wide mtb handlebar that makes your feel like ,,christ on the cross". It's super inconvenient and uncomfortable for long hours.

I am looking for a new handlebar, but can't decide what type would serve me best. Drop bars seem amazing, I'm just worried that since the bike itself is 26kgs and my food delivery bag is attached to the rear rack. Sometimes I have to haul heavy orders.

Do you think drops bars would make the bike unstable? Should I just buy a wider drop bar, or maybe look for other types of handlebars?

Right now a similar screen is attached above the stem, it'd need to fit on the new handlebar. I welcome any kinds of help or experiences.

P.s.: i know ebikes are generally unwelcome, but here it's a necessity and I am turning for you all for help.

Hi y'all,

Is your company hiring? I've been bikepacking for a while and I'd love to be a messenger again. I did about a year and a half in Chicago and I've been bikepacking and riding since then. I really want to get back on the road and I'm willing to travel pretty much anywhere.

Thanks!

Join us if you're in town!

Trying to choose between zodiac xl messenger Or Bagabo xl mess If anybody has a zodiac, I would like to talk to them

Looking to upgrade from my current bag, but will still need to occasionally carry a few drinks on my back. I'm between the Chrome Warsaw 2.0 and Berlin bags. Anyone carry drinks in the Berlin? Thanks for the advice!

So I work via gig apps a few times a week on my retrospec single speed fixie. I had to get a new highland tactical bookbag from Ross because I'm poor and I don't have a rack or basket or anything. I have an insulated door dash bag that I put inside of my bookbag along with other important stuff I need for work. Lately I've been experiencing back pain while riding all day, that and saddle sores I think because I'm trying to pay my bills.

So should I just bite the bullet on speed and get a rack and a milk carton or a basket big enough to fit two large orders of food or something. My back hurts while I ride and sometimes at work and I don't want it to get worse. I just gotta keep working.