cycle couriers

[rugbyluke]

Hi everyone can anyone help? I really would like this job but i live in gosport (next to portsmouth) not as busy as london. But do these jobs exsist in citys like ours?

 

[johnr]

A few years ago my Big Issue seller got some cash to start a cycle courier business in Leeds - he sold it for a profit a couple of years later. Most of his customers were law firms if you're thinking of following that route.

 

[snorri]

Are there the same vacancies for cycle couriers as there used to be? I'm told that increasing use of electronic transmission for document transfer has reduced demand for their services.

 

[Bicycle]

I was a motorcycle courier in the 80s and my girlfriend worked for part of that time as a cycle courier. Most of what we carried would now be sent electronically. I fear that age has died.

Look online for cycle couriers and see if any of them are near you.

I suspect that insofar as these firms still exist, it is in the metropolitan centres, probably only the Square Mile and maybe around Temple, the Law Courts or similar.

 

[Archie_tect]

Loads of legal documents still need signatures, and they still transfer paper files so there will be some demand for courier service, though opening for courier job depends on how good the existing couriers are Luke.

 

[rugbyluke]

Well looks like the dream ended before it started . im on fair money now and pension etc etc. But i hate my job and would choose happiness over money anyday. Oh well

 

[kalaika]

I know that there is one cycle courier that operates in Canterbury, so they do appear outside of the big cities. I've no idea how busy, successful or profitable they are though.

http://www.velocitycouriers.co.uk/
(I have no personal or professional connection to them, just seen them out and about)

 

[Jonathing]

I imagine that the Totton-to-Havant conurbation that encompasses Southampton and Portsmouth would probably be busy enough to support a courier firm or two, whether you'd get sick of mixing it with traffic on the A27 is a different matter. I think the two city centres are too far apart for a bike to be the quickest way to move documents and Portsmouth is probably too small on its own. Southampton would probably be your best bet in the area.

 

[Zoiders]

It can depend on how "green" the local authority want to be.

The couriers in Nottingham got the contract to run internal post/documents for the city council between sites so that's one avenue to persue.

Unless you have a major centre pole customer like that you may find it's a hiding to nothing - as you point out it's not London afterall and you dont have that sheer density of trade all in one place.

 

[Jezston]

The couriers in Nottingham got the contract to run internal post/documents for the city council between sites so that's one avenue to persue.

Wait - there are bike couriers in Nottingham? Any idea what they are called?

A friend here was keen on setting up his own agency as he wanted to be a courier, but sacked off the idea because he didn't think it would be viable. I'd have thought if an agency already existed he could have just gone for a job with them.

 

[Gooner Mad Dog]

Must be an ex Matelot??? Am in London and have been thinking of doing casual couriering likewise hate my IT job! Suspect Portsmouth maybe ok as its horrendous travel & car conjestion am sure a lawyer in Gosport could get documents quicker to Portsmouth courts bike bike/ferry than car? Worth trying, ps spent around 2 years on Sultan gate! ( ex PO R )

 

[AnythingButVanilla]

A lot of hospital still use medical couriers to carry notes and blood/tissue samples, if that's of any interest to you? Imperial College used to use Medical Couriers who were great but passed the contract on to DHL who were rubbish.

 

[ttcycle]

I have a few friends who are couriers in London - the rates of pay for the city are shockingly bad - I was considering it to top up freelancing but it's not viable. The lowdown was:

Each job is £2.50 - whatever the distance unless it's a special which can be a bit more- now think of how many jobs you need to do in a day to make good money...hence couriering was not what it once was.

For some friends, there's a lot of waiting around in parks etc all day waiting for the next delivery- not so good in winter.
If you have an accident on the job as you're self employed- you're on your own. Both of them describe coming home and eating and going to sleep as pretty much being the basis of a day as they do so much mileage in a day it can be exhausting- especially for the first 6 months.

One friend left and another is leaving (both have been in it for a few years), they both love the job but don't want to be doing it forever and one cited the fact that lack of respect was driving her up the wall.

 

[Cheradenine]

Wait - there are bike couriers in Nottingham? Any idea what they are called?

A friend here was keen on setting up his own agency as he wanted to be a courier, but sacked off the idea because he didn't think it would be viable. I'd have thought if an agency already existed he could have just gone for a job with them.

I have seen them as well around Nottingham, I also seem to recall that they run a fleet of vans as well, they only employed a small handfull of cycle couriers from what I saw.

Called "Pedal Express" IIRC - as zoiders pointed out they would not survive without the local authority contract, there just isnt the trade for it, let alone for two companies of couriers.

 

[jonny jeez]

Hi everyone can anyone help? I really would like this job but i live in gosport (next to portsmouth) not as busy as london. But do these jobs exsist in citys like ours?

Sounds like an opportunity in itself to me.

I think you have spotted a gap in the market...why not fill it yourself and become Gossports "leading" cycle courier company operating a green sustainable choice for responsible clients.

It'll cost you a bike, a phone and some flyers