brett_beddow

Today, I was thinking man...I need a job. I thought hmm I can't drive, cutting lawns sucks--well what can I do that is interesting. What do you guys think of being a pizza delivery man on a bike. Hook up a trailer to hold the pizzas. Do you think the pizza shop would not go for this because it would be slower than a car? Or am I just stupid..?
Just a thought.

BigBoss

Where do you live? You can just be a bike messenger

brett_beddow

I thought about that but I live in a suburb of Detroit. I am pretty sure that there aren't any bike messengers in Detroit but I may be wrong.

Sirrobinofcoxly

That could work, if you could keep them hot. Realistically, I doubt that someone would hire a bike pizza guy. Not that I think it's right

Though I always thought it would be cool for a green pizza place that used bike delivery guys. Beats the rusty IROC-Z leaking oil in your mom's driveway!

scattered73

I have wondered about this myself, since there are pizza places like every mile around here I doubt you would have to go any real distance. Though allot of apartment complexes use the automatic gate might have a tough time getting out, don't know if it's weight or metal they detect.

brett_beddow

Maybe I should go in there and talk to the manager about it. I could get a full Jet's Pizza team kit! no just kidding

BigBoss

there has to be bike messengers in Detroit. Detroit is a major city and i believe all of them have messengers. even portland has bike messengers! the only thing is to find a company which pays well

Sirrobinofcoxly

If you delivered a pizza to me on your bike, and it was still hot, and it was fast, I would totally tip you more than a driver. Does that make me a bad person. No.

You will never know until you try. Ask around.

brett_beddow

Alright! I will call around tomorrow and if not tomorrow then Monday. Would you recommend telling them that I would hook up a trailer on my bike? I know that they have those insulated bags that keep the pizzas hot for a while.

Sirrobinofcoxly

Make it pretty clear that you will use a trailer. People who don't "think bikes" may believe that you intend to strap it to a rat trap with some bunjie cords, and rock on!

A covered trailer that you can put the insulated bags in is the way to go probably.

AEO

I've seen mopeds being used for pizza deliveries in japan, but the bike deliveries were reserved for noodle soups and sushi. No trailer, just holding the food container in one hand and cycling around like that.

NathanC

In Sydney CDB and inner city the use little vespa thingies. I really don't think a pizza place will give you a job -- even if you can sustain 25mph+ for a shift, a guy on a scooter will get through double the deliveries you could. Add to that you're gonna have to be hydrated a lot and eat more than someone in a car/scooter.

Best bet is bike courier.

cmh

One thing to think about is most pizzas are ordered after dark. If I were a pizza place owner, I wouldn't want to be liable for you riding around at night on your bike. Maybe you could just work the lunch hour?

mrbubbles

My Domino's pizza was delivered by a bike, and it was considerably faster than Pizza Hut's and all other chain. So yes, it can be done.

BarracksSi

I was always extra-careful about not tossing the pizzas around in their boxes while I was a driver; it's pretty embarrassing to show a customer a messed-up pizza. My Civic was up to the task and lived through its pizza-driving days, but it always smelled like pizza, too (and anchovies for at least two days after a single anchovy pizza!).

I was often out with at least two deliveries, sometimes up to four, and driving around for half an hour at a time. I don't remember how many miles I drove per shift, but even after reporting tips, it always came out to way less than the minimum 28¢/mile required for tax purposes -- so, 50+ miles per day, maybe?

Depending on their delivery area, it could be done. Trying to cover the hilly four or five square miles that we had in my delivery area, though, for a six-hour shift... man, I think you'd get smoked.

Blue Jays

Agree 100% because as a cyclist it would interest me to see additional use of bicycles for commerce. Good luck with your idea and presenting it to local restaurants.

the_drain

I deliver pizza....It COULD be done...but time is money man, and there is no way in hell you're going to keep up with demand / make any money on a bike.

mtnbk3000

that is one of the most dangerous jobs you can possibly have.

LIUser22

i didn't read any of the posts cept the first, you should try ot offer delivery to a college campus since parking is horrendous at every campus they're trying to find bike delivery boys

kmac27

Ever thought of a paper route?

Scaryspice

My pizza gets deliver on a bike, and it's nice and hot get I get it, give it a shot you never know. ; )

Blue Jays

If nothing else, your strength and cardiovascular fitness will improve by the high-speed sprinting around town to meet delivery deadlines and keeping the product hot & fresh for the consumers.
Hopefully you simultaneously earn great tips!

Scaryspice

I always tip good money to bike riders. ; )

Yoshi

Most food delivery in NYC is done by bike, so it's certainly possible. I have some friends who do it and it can be quite profitable (relatively) if you work for a good restaurant and have a good shift.

Scaryspice

Yes, NYC is the bomb for food delivery, lived here all my life and I treat delivery guys with respect and good tips.