Everyone who lives in larger cities can relate: traffic jams, the annoying search for parking spots, especially in the city centers, and increasingly expensive parking fees. There is a very simple solution to this: bicycle couriers.
In recent years, more and more people have switched to bicycles and are traveling in a more environmentally friendly way.
Of course, many errands can also be completed on foot or via public transport, but we still depend on leaving our house for daily errands.
This is also reflected in the execution of transport services. Particularly in modern cities, where many places are difficult to reach by car, parcels and other goods are often transported via bicycle couriers.
What Is a Bike Courier?
Bicycle couriers carry out various transport services by bicycle. They are usually responsible for companies that deliver packages and other products to inner-city customers in a short time. Other clients include hospitals or government authorities.
Bicycle couriers usually deliver small to medium-sized shipments to customers. Couriers who ride a cargo bike can also deliver larger shipments. Bicycle couriers are the most efficient transport option in inner cities for short distances. The traffic volume there is very high and it often takes a long time to get around by car or public transport.
The History of the Bicycle Couriers
The origins of modern bicycle couriers can be traced back to New York City in the 1970s. During this time, bicycles were a quick and reliable way to transport messages and packages from A to B within major cities.
One of the first bicycle couriers was probably in service in Germany as early as 1896. It was the courier Johann Baptist Ruhdorfer, who moved spare parts between Munich and Rosenheim on his penny farthing.
While contracts and other important documents were sent within cities via bicycle courier in the 1980s and 90s, email and fax have replaced this delivery method as the Internet developed.
Who Works as a Bicycle Courier?
The motivations for working as a bicycle courier are very different. This is how students who want to earn extra money work. There are also full-time couriers who do this job full-time or retirees who want to earn something to supplement their pension.
Anyone who has ever been to the German Bicycle Courier Championship will quickly have noticed that the bicycle courier scene is both male and female and is characterized by people of different ages.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Bicycle Couriers
Shipping via bicycle couriers is very popular. This is not surprising considering the range of advantages it has over traditional couriers.
This means that bicycle couriers in city centers can reach their destination more quickly. Furthermore, they can drive through bottlenecks and narrow paths, which represents a major, if not impossible, challenge for motor vehicles. Bicycle couriers reduce environmental impact because bicycles do not produce exhaust fumes and require less space than parcel vehicles. They are therefore perfect for use in city centers or streets with high traffic volumes. What is practical is that bike couriers can easily drive through or around traffic jams and find a parking spot more quickly.
One disadvantage of bicycle couriers is that they are often more expensive than other delivery services. In addition, they are not available in every region. Bicycle couriers are often only an efficient delivery option in densely populated cities, but not in rural areas. They can usually only deliver small shipments and are dependent on the weather conditions, which means that in heavy snow or downpours, transport via bicycle couriers is hardly or not at all possible.
Avoid Conflicts as a Bike Courier
Bicycle couriers come into contact with other road users every day and often have to make countless decisions in a short amount of time. It is important for them to avoid conflicts in order to get through traffic faster and safer and to do their job well.
Only if they know how to deal with conflicts correctly can they make efficient deliveries and satisfy customers. Being right is not a priority in traffic, which bike couriers quickly notice when a car takes the right of way away from them or they are honked at while someone overtakes them with a narrow safety margin.
Anyone who is balanced and attentive will not allow themselves to be provoked and will understand that some road users take out their frustration on others.
The Future of Bicycle Couriers
As described, bicycle couriers are not a new business model, but are still an emerging business in large cities. Private and business customers represent the target group for this fast and convenient transport service within city centers.
They are also an environmentally friendly delivery method compared to traditional delivery services as no emissions are produced.
Due to the popularity of e-commerce and the increase in traffic in cities, the bike couriers boom will continue or become stronger. The reliable and flexible couriers are a contemporary alternative to traditional delivery services.
There are many cities in Germany where bicycle messengers are already working successfully. We are sure that this trend will continue in the coming years.
