Bicycle courier

Bicycle couriers typically work for courier companies or as independent contractors and are responsible for delivering documents, medical supplies, and various other items to specified locations using bicycles. They plan travel routes, obtain recipients’ signatures, and collect payments as needed.

The duties of a bicycle courier include, but are not limited to:

• Picking up and delivering various packages to specified locations as per the delivery instructions provided by dispatch staff.
• Verifying addresses and locations before each delivery to ensure that there are no errors.
• Carefully planning travel routes to ensure that packages are delivered to recipients in a timely manner.
• Securing packages to prevent damage during transit.
• Obtaining recipients’ signatures upon completion of each delivery to confirm receipt of the correct items.
• Collecting payments as required and ensuring that the correct amounts have been received.
• Maintaining an accurate record of all packages delivered to recipients.
• Regularly communicating with dispatch staff to provide delivery updates and receive instructions for new deliveries.

Bicycles couriers normally work in towns and cities where they can move goods quickly from place to place – this is particularly important for time-sensitive items like blood products or hot food. Work can be very flexible, depending on demand, and it is a good way to supplement income or fit in around other commitments.

Most of the time, bicycle couriers need their own bicycle or motorcycle. Some couriers work for a single employer while others work for themselves or work as part of the ‘gig economy’ picking up work when it becomes available.

The following job titles also refer to bicycle courier:

bike courier
bicycle dispatch rider
bicycle letter carrier
bicycle package carrier
cycle courier
bike messenger
bicycle messenger
cycle messenger

No formal educational credential is required to work as bicycle courier. A good level of physical fitness, the ability to work flexibly, and a bicycle or motorcycle are all required.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Bicycle courier is a Skill level 1 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to bicycle courier.

carriage driver
leaflet distributor
meter reader
road sign installer
aircraft groomer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of bicycle courier. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of bicycle courier with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

motorcycle delivery person
postman/postwoman
delivery driver
mail clerk
private chauffeur

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of bicycle courier.

• Geographic areas: Know the geographic area in detail; know where different organisations carry out operations.
• Road traffic laws: Understand road traffic laws and the rules of the road.

These skills are necessary for the role of bicycle courier.

• Communicate with customers: Respond to and communicate with customers in the most efficient and appropriate manner to enable them to access the desired products or services, or any other help they may require.
• Obey traffic rules: Follow traffic signs, lights, signals and rules to ensure safe transportation.
• Act reliably: Proceed in a way that one can be relied on or depended on.
• Ensure the integrity of mail: Ensure the integrity of letters and packages to avoid damage. Ensure that packages are delivered to clients in the same condition they were collected in.
• Analyse ways to reduce travel time: Analyse prospective improvements in journey efficiency through reduction of travel time by modifying itineraries and outlining alternatives.
• Interpret traffic signals: Observe lights on the road, road conditions, nearby traffic, and prescribed speed limits to ensure safety. Interpret traffic signals and act accordingly.
• Drive two-wheeled vehicles: Drive two-wheeled vehicles such as bicycles and motorcycles for the performance of different tasks relating to the transportation of goods and passengers.
• Differentiate types of packages: Identify and differentiate different kinds of mail items and packages to be delivered. Consider their differences to foresee the necessary tools required for delivery.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of bicycle courier. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Handle delivery of furniture goods: Handle the delivery and assemble the furniture and other goods, according to customer’s needs and preferences.
• Drive in urban areas: Drive vehicles in urban areas. Interpret and understand transit signs in a city, the regulation of traffic, and the related common automobile agreements in an urban area.
• Follow written instructions: Follow written directions in order to perform a task or carry out a step-by-step procedure.
• Handle mail: Handle mail considering data protection issues, health and safety requirements, and specifications of different kinds of mail.
• Handle fragile items: Use different specialised handling for products that are delicate and tend to be broken or damaged easily.
• Operate GPS systems: Use GPS Systems.
• Operate mailing information systems: Operate mailing information systems in order to record the processing and handling of mail. Record faults and identify packages that were not delivered. Ensure mail and small packages are traceable until they are delivered to the recipients.
• Process payments: Accept payments such as cash, credit cards and debit cards. Handle reimbursement in case of returns or administer vouchers and marketing instruments such as bonus cards or membership cards. Pay attention to safety and the protection of personal data.
• Handle delivered packages: Administer delivered packages and ensure that they reach their destination on time.
• Check deliveries on receipt: Control that all order details are recorded, that faulty items are reported and returned and that all paperwork is received and processed, according to the purchasing procedures.
• Organise mail deliveries: Organise mail and small package deliveries in an efficient, confidential, and safe manner.

9331 – Hand and pedal vehicle drivers

---

References

1. ESCO
2. Bike Courier Job Description – Betterteam
3. Bike courier – career guide and latest jobs – Sort
4. Featured image: Photo by MART PRODUCTION from Pexels