cycle couriers

[Cheradenine]

If you honestly think it could be a sustainable business then go for it.

If deep down it's a trendy life style choice that looks good but will in fact that will leave you in debt when the sheer amount of work involved and the finances catch up with you - then I would leave it well alone.

 

[rugbyluke]

I really wish i could lads, but its too risky, plus im in the territorial army so need to be able to rest and have energy at night to train, plus with an afgan tour coming up next year i need a job to come back to

 

[gaz]

Bicycle couriering is . wake up. eat, cycle, eat, cycle, eat, sleep (repeat)
You work long hours and cycle so much that you can't do anything else.

 

[Daniel Garcia]

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?

Hi guys and girls,

I'm an assistant producer working with an independent director based in London, and we're shooting a short film in February.

I'm looking for an experienced, enthusiastic cycle courier who loves the job, for what will be approximately one weeks shooting throughout London (possibly less). The role is pro bono, however I wouldn't expect any of you to forgo your regular paid work to contribute for a film for someone you've never heard of! That's why we've engineered this so that the vast majority of shooting will simply involve following you going about your daily routes and responsibilities, without disrupting your routine.

The concept is essentially a 'slice of life'/expose on life as a cycle courier, beautifully shot, to be posted on Vimeo. We will get some really nice shots of you going about your deliveries, riding alongside in a car where we can, and add a human element by shooting an interview at the start and end of the week, where we find out a little bit about why you do what you do, and what you enjoy. We're not looking to send any profound hollywood message here, just a cool insight into your profession, with a bit of human edge.

So if anyone is keen to find out more, please contact Dan at daniel@connectedpictures.com, or you can reach my mobile on 07867417550.

It should be good fun, hope to hear from some of you soon.

All the best,

Dan Garcia

 

[gaz]

 

[triangles]

Daniel I doubt anyone here will be able to help you, I'd suggest posting on www.lfgss.com and www.movingtargetzine.com if you haven't already as I know there are quite a few couriers that are regulars there.

 

[Daniel Garcia]

Daniel I doubt anyone here will be able to help you, I'd suggest posting on www.lfgss.com and www.movingtargetzine.com if you haven't already as I know there are quite a few couriers that are regulars there.

Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure to do that. Cheers

 

[Kookas]

Thanks for the advice, I'll make sure to do that. Cheers

What's with the surge of interest in cycle couriers this year? Premium Rush, Line of Sight and then this - and I haven't even seen any of them.

 

[BentMikey]

Unpaid work? I'm sickened by the number of people who want film help and aren't prepared to pay for it. Even more so taking advantage of a cycle courier, in what is likely to be one of the lower paid jobs out there.

Give respect and pay for the value you receive.

 

[davefb]

Unpaid work? I'm sickened by the number of people who want film help and aren't prepared to pay for it. Even more so taking advantage of a cycle courier, in what is likely to be one of the lower paid jobs out there.

Give respect and pay for the value you receive.

Now you mention it..

"I've got an idea for a film, so I'd really be interested in an experienced film maker to come and film it. Obviously we'd need a script writer and director to come along. Now, this is a great idea but I can't put forward any money myself so you'll have to work for free"

or

"It's my wedding this year, I'd really like an experienced film maker to give a professional look to the wedding video. Obviously I can't afford to pay anything, but I'm sure an aspiring film maker would leap at the chance"
etc..

Why not pay?

 

[gaz]

Now you mention it..

"I've got an idea for a film, so I'd really be interested in an experienced film maker to come and film it. Obviously we'd need a script writer and director to come along. Now, this is a great idea but I can't put forward any money myself so you'll have to work for free"

or

"It's my wedding this year, I'd really like an experienced film maker to give a professional look to the wedding video. Obviously I can't afford to pay anything, but I'm sure an aspiring film maker would leap at the chance"
etc..

Why not pay?

*cough* I'll just live this hear *cough* http://photoprofessionals.wordpress.com

 

[triangles]

What's with the surge of interest in cycle couriers this year? Premium Rush, Line of Sight and then this - and I haven't even seen any of them.

It's down to the whole 'fixie' fixation (for the record I have nothing against fixed gear bikes, I just find a lot of the hipster associations pretty jarring).

I'm always really suprised when I see people considering resigning from reasonably paid office jobs to become couriers. It is pretty much a dead industry and I think you are lucky to get ~£300 a week, not accounting for initial costs such as a radio (I've heard of companies asking for £700 for them... ), I think it sounds like a great job theoretically, but to see people with families considering packing in a 'proper' job to do it is crazy. I'm 23 with few commitments/responsibilities yet I wouldn't consider it...

 

[Boris Bajic]

I was a motorcycle courier in the 80s. In those days £450 net of the radio charge (£45 p/w) was a goodish week. £350 was OK and anything over £500 was wonderful.

Fuel was about £50 a week, the bike was anything from £500 to £2500 and leathers, helmet, gloves, boots, waterproofs and similar malarkey.

The top box and courier bag were free.

In those days, £450 was a lot of money and I got a mortgage on the back of it. I paid tax (sod all, but I declared and used an accountant).

My then sweetiepie (still a friend today) was a bicycle courier working out of Mayfair and rarely broke £180 a week. She loved it, but it was physically shattering. As soon as she had enough moolah for a van, she kept the bike for pleasure. Not a fixie...

I wouldn't mind one of my kids doing it now as a student earner in London. I just don't think there's the work and the money probably isn't as good in real terms as it was.

You used to see a couple of cycle couriers at every red light on Oxford Street, Shaftsbury Avenue, Fleet Street, Bank, in and around Covent Garden.... How many do you see today?

Likewise motorcycle couriers.... Six or so at every light on Marylebone Road or Cromwell Road.

Bloody Internet! Bloody email!

 

[Booyaa]

Still see quite a few round Glasgow, not as many as there used to be though, Blythswood Square in the summer used to be a good meeting place for them. Get quite a few coming into our building but there are two law practices there so that will explain why so many around here.

 

[Pale Rider]

I had a brief chat with a cycle courier when I was Boris biking in London in August.

He was resting on a grassed area on the South Bank.

The bike was a stripped down single gear - he was oiling the chain when we spoke.

Saw him again the next day hammering along High Holborn.

Lots of lawyers around there which he told me is where most of the work comes from.