Cyclists’ deliveries originate from downtown restaurants and stores and are shorter routes, under 2 km, although some cyclists choose to do routes up to 4 km.
A container that conveniently attaches to, and detaches from, their seat post, and sits above their rear wheel, will be provided along with two insulated delivery bags that the container holds. The container is fairly compact (1 x 2 ft) and sits in line with the bike frame to keep a narrow set-up.
Alternatively, cyclists can choose to just use a backpack and deliver LCBO and Wine Rack bottles.
If you enjoy cycling it can be fun to get paid for it. The interactions with customers are pleasant (some are extra impressed you came by bike) and you otherwise get to work alone. There are a variety of restaurants and stores and this makes each shift different and interesting. Your efficiency can directly influence your earnings. If you enjoy using google maps and navigating, you’ll enjoy this; each delivery is little navigating mission. You’ll also get great exercise.
Also: reality check… You won’t be earning what downtown-Toronto bike messengers are earning and bike delivery is indeed physical labour. Your proficiency as a cyclist will determine whether this is worth considering. You can rest when you want to and there really isn’t much in the way of hills but it’s a workout nonetheless. People who like biking and exercise sometimes think it’s a perfect job for them but then later decide they enjoy biking on their own terms and prefer a different kind of workout! However, the job is a great fit for some and we’ve had bike couriers last for a year.
I’m also now offering bike couriers an option to work without schedule and come and go as they please which perhaps eliminates the element of doing a “workout” on a set schedule and when sometimes you just don’t feel like it.
(Additionally, take a look at our new job poster as well as the general delivery job description for vehicle couriers for additional information on delivering with Princess Delivery Service)
Pay:
Our vehicle and bike couriers are paid the same way: they earn the majority of the delivery fee (70%) and all of their tips. Princess Delivery Service earns the other 30% which is about as low as I can go as delivery fees are the company’s single source of revenue as is the case for most courier and delivery services
Since it isn’t hourly pay, here’s an idea of how much you’ll earn and how it can fluctuate:
Like tree planting and other paid-per-task work, what you’ll earn will depend partly on you; on your efficiency and athleticism as well as your way with customers and how they tip you.
You’ll average somewhere between $13 and $21 hourly average. There can be high-earning bouts of weeks or more where it can be higher than $21/ hour for efficient cyclists.
But it isn’t an hourly wage job and I give an hourly earnings estimate to give a point of reference. There is down-time on some shifts, where you can swing home (if you live close to downtown), and you aren’t working, but this technically brings down the hourly average if you count it that way. If only counting while you’re in motion, you’ll almost certainly be satisfied with the hourly earnings.
All food courier jobs (UberEats etc) are independent contractor jobs which aren’t bound by the $14/ hour minimum wage. Couriers, in ALL food delivery jobs, earn below minimum wage EXCEPT when including the tips. The culture of tipping actually brings down the delivery fees (non-tip earnings) that the restaurants and end customers are willing/ required to pay to get delivery drivers and delivery services.
However, tips can be impressive. More than $4 average per delivery and you’ll regularly get tips of $7 – $8 and $15 ones are not rare.
To apply, please send a resume as well as a note on why you’re interested and why you’d be a good fit to pdelivshared@gmail.com