cycle couriers

[e-rider]

...as I'm unemployed I was thinking about starting a cycle courier company

my thinking is that start-up costs would be very low - I have plenty of time on my hands, a bike, messenger bag and panniers so all I'd need would be a few thousand flyers to advertise my business which seem cheap on the web anyway.

In my neck of the woods there are 4 towns within 10 miles or so that would be my operating location. I have no idea if there is any demand for this service or how to start a business but I figure that I've got very little to lose if my initial investment is less than £100?

Am I missing something? Any advice welcome please. Will I make any money???

What sort of fee would a cycle courier charge for a small package (1kg) collected and delivered within 2 hours?

 

[sight-pin]

Don't forget, you will probably need to upgrade your insurance to cover for business, liabilities etc

 

[sidevalve]

You will need insurance - both for yourself AND for customers packages. Secondly do be ready for the fact that to make it work you MUST be ready to ride in all weathers. Companies require a courier they can rely on 100%. Finally be ready to be able to lock your bike up fast, deliver and ride off. Few companies will like the idea of a wet muddy bike being dragged into a posh entrance hall [sorry but that's just how it is] so you'll have to secure it outside. Nothing too fancy perhaps but something to deter the "grab it and ride it off" brigade.
One last thing - riding everyday all day can turn your pleasure into a nightmare.
If you can sort all this then as above good luck and I hope it works out well.

 

[e-rider]

[QUOTE 3260234, member: 45"]In my limited experience (I was a van courier for a while years ago) cycle couriering only really works in big cities, and primarily London. There isn't much call for it in small towns as the lack of congestion and small size means that cycling doesn't really bring a worthwhile benefit. In towns, the need is usually for more distant work, and then a motorbike or van is far quicker.

Good luck though![/QUOTE]
yes, this is my main concern. Demand could be very low indeed in this area

 

[swee'pea99]

yes, this is my main concern. Demand could be very low indeed in this area

Are there courier companies operating in your area already? (Google/yellow pages/Thompson to find out.) If not, there's probably a good reason.

 

[e-rider]

Are there courier companies operating in your area already? (Google/yellow pages/Thompson to find out.) If not, there's probably a good reason.

No. I see what you are saying but also it could be seen as a gap in the market! I suspect more the former though ;-(

 

[Rickshaw Phil]

It can be done in smaller towns. Here are a couple of companies that do cycle deliveries:
http://www.herefordpedicabs.com/
http://www.outspokendelivery.co.uk/

I've looked into it myself having had a go at the rickshaw business, but tried something different in the end. My issue was being able to offer reliability. In order to gain and keep your customers they need to be certain you'll be there when you say you will, which would mean being out regardless of the weather and you'd have to consider what to do about holidays or in the event of accident or illness.

If you have some like-minded friends with whom you could start a partnership I think it could work. On your own I think it would be a struggle (not saying it's impossible though).

I did speak to my local council about the idea when I was looking into it and was told that they'd be open to it as both they and the local NHS trust frequently need to move documents and parcels short distances between offices. Might be worth looking into for your area?

 

[swee'pea99]

It can be done in smaller towns.

I did speak to my local council about the idea when I was looking into it and was told that they'd be open to the idea as both they and the local NHS trust frequently need to move documents and parcels short distances between offices. Might be worth looking into for your area?

That's a good idea. Local authorities and the like are often keen to beef up their green credentials - if you could find out that, say, your local health authority is in the habit of using local minicab firms to move small packages around, they might well be persuadable towards using cycles instead.

 

[ttcycle]

Even in London, the rates of pay are very shoddy. You have to pick up and drop off constantly to make a very meagre sum.

 

[Roadrider48]

There are a few cycle courier documentaries on you tube, give them a watch.
Some give you a good insight into the business.
Good luck.

 

[Archie_tect]

Ideally 2 [or 3] working in partnership for when you need back-up help for when any of you are ill or on holiday or double booked- you can't afford to turn work away. Also need Critical employee + 'Permanent Health' insurance to cover when you can't work or if you are injured. Basic invoice/ receipt system set up ideally using a small business package from Sage or similar.

What level of service would you offer? You'll need to agree a max weight which can be delivered in [say] an hour max. [10 miles there and 10 miles back.... need to be shifting!]

Ring round existing courier services to find out if they have a bike service... if they haven't offer them one as a sub-contractor- will get you a network of reliable contacts and reduce their overheads too!

 

[Moodyman]

I follow the blog of Emily Chappell - cycle courier in London. She's written extensively about the job (hard, low pay) and how demand for the work is becoming scarcer - even in London.