An increasing number of young individuals are joining GrubHub to provide delivery services. But, is it possible to work as a GrubHub driver using a bike?
This is a 21st-century world where companies are using drones to deliver supplies. Drone deliveries are being used by companies including Amazon Prime, FedEx, and UPS. It's possible that this option will be used by almost all businesses in the near future. It makes people wonder if they can make money delivering if all they have is a bicycle.
Can you use a bike to deliver food for GrubHub? Yes, you can use a bike for delivery for GrubHub. But deliveries by bikes and scooters are not supported in all areas of the United States. If you want to join as a GrubHub driver, make sure that your target location supports deliveries through bikes.
A bicycle is not meant to be used as a sports item only, it can also be used as a means of earning money. If you want to earn some money by delivering food, you can do it using your bike.
In case you find that your GrubHub market doesn't support deliveries by bike, it's nothing to worry about. You can simply switch to some other delivery service. For your ease, we've also listed some other food delivery services that allow you to work by bike. So, let's begin!
What is GrubHub?
GrubHub is an online food ordering service based in the United States. It allows you to search for and order ready-to-eat meals using your mobile phone. The company is a part of a Dutch global food delivery firm called Just Eat Takeaway.
When you work as a driver with GrubHub, you can choose when you want to work. By organizing your schedule, you can choose your own delivery time. If you receive tips during your shifts, the company won't take it. So you'll be earning a good sum of money by delivering food.
Can You Use a Bike for GrubHub?
You can use a bike for GrubHub delivery services. But it depends on your area of delivery. Whereas the bike and scooter deliveries only work in certain areas, the deliveries in all other parts of the US are made by cars and motorcycles.
At present, GrubHub allows delivery by bike in cities like San Francisco and New York City. So, it is better to confirm whether bike delivery is supported in your area or not. But, how would you confirm this? It's really simple. When you apply for a partnership with GrubHub as a driver, they give you an option to choose a bicycle in case it's supported in your area.
Supplies You’ll Need When Delivering by Bike
If you've been qualified as a GrubHub driver, the next step is to look for the gear you'll need to start delivering by bike. According to the law, these gears are the essentials that a bicycle delivery man must take with him.
These include:
- A helmet for protection
- A reflective vest
- A removable headlight at night
- A bell on your bike
- Your identification card bearing your 3-digit ID
- A number plate for your bicycle
Using a Bike for GrubHub: Pros and Cons
If you want to work as a GrubHub driver using your bicycle, you'll face some issues too. Here are all the benefits and losses of delivering via bike for GrubHub.
Pros
You'll have a lot of edges working on your bike as compared to cars and motorcycles, like:
Economical
When compared to motorcycles and cars, bicycles have low entry costs, maintenance costs, and operating costs. You can save a lot of money by using your bike for delivery. There's no fuel cost for a bike, you can maintain it by yourself, and most of all, it has a low insurance cost. All of these things make working by bike an economical option.
No Vehicle Loan
Car owners usually have to pay monthly loans for their cars. When the month is about to end, they are already worried about their next installment. There's no such headache when delivering by bike. In GrubHub, you can work for flexible hours with no worries about installments and costs, which makes it a great job option.
No License
Unlike other vehicles, no driving license is needed when you hit the road with your bike. All you need is your national identity card and a number plate on the rear of your bike.
Easy to Navigate
With your bike, you can easily make your way through heavy traffic and make your deliveries on time. For example, if you are out during peak hours, you can simply use a bike lane to get through the traffic. It has an impact on your earnings too.
Parking
In large urban areas like NYC, finding a parking spot for your car is no less than a challenge. If you need to deliver to busy complexes, you'll often need to park your car somewhere away. You must then walk the whole distance to your delivery point. This problem can be easily resolved by using a bike.
Health and Well-being
Working for GrubHub on a bike is more like adding 1 and 1 to make 11. Not only does it save you from the cost of fuel and maintenance, but you are also being paid for burning your calories. You'll make money and remain healthy at the same time.
Cons
There are also some drawbacks to consider:
Not an All-weather Service
Imagine you have a lot of deliveries to make for the day and it starts raining. It's worrisome, right? Since you can't make deliveries during intense weather conditions on your bike, your earnings will be affected overall.
Less Space
A bike will not have enough space to carry large food deliveries. A few meal boxes, beverages, or lunch boxes for an office crew are fine. But, you won't be able to take large orders for a grand event or a party. You'll be missing out on many opportunities here.
Low-paying Orders
Since you'll not be able to deliver large orders, it will impact your income. Moreover, the GrubHub app takes all of the factors into consideration while paying out, for example, your vehicle size, your distance, and the size of your orders. As a result, you'll lag behind those delivering on cars.
No Rest
When delivering by car, the drivers often rest in between orders or between long shifts. They can lie down in their cars to relax for a while. Since you'll have no rest option while delivering on the bike, the continuous work will wear you out.
More Fatigue
Sitting on a bike for long hours and not resting in between will make you exhausted by the end of every working day. Also, it's a strenuous task to pedal all day long. More fatigue and no rest will affect your health in the long run. Moreover, a bike rider is more exposed to dust and smoke, which may affect his lungs. There's more risk of accidents and injuries on a bike too.
Other Food Delivery Services That Use Bikes
Unlike GrubHub, which allows delivery by bike only in certain places, other online food delivery services allow you to use a bike, like:
- Uber Eats
- DoorDash
- Instacart
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