Written by: David Gathers
Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia
Food deliveries are an essential part of life in New York City. The metropolitan area has relied heavily on shipments and a vast network of inner city distribution for centuries. Since the Covid-19 pandemic, there has been a significant shift in the technologies and methods for delivering food. While no longer relying on visiting grocery stores and restaurants in person, people have utilized applications such as Uber Eats and Doordash to drop their food off at their doorsteps. We should remember those who are responsible for delivering our dinners to us. The following is an excerpt from David Gathers, an electric bike messenger who shared his experience delivering food throughout New York City:
For the app Postmates, I started doing food deliveries on my bike in 2018. I would deliver Postmates after work and on my days off. It was difficult initially because I couldn’t tell how far the deliveries would be. I also wasn’t in the best shape; it had been years since I had ridden a bicycle. The pay for deliveries wasn’t too bad, but it could be challenging to get deliveries depending on which part of Manhattan I was riding in that day. Eventually, I transitioned to Uber Eats because I was informed it was easier to get deliveries. I was getting more deliveries through Uber, but I was also getting sent on further trips than I was through Postmates. Frequently, I would travel between the Bronx and Manhattan. On my days off from my main job, I would deliver for Uber Eats all day or until I was too tired.
I did Uber so much one weekend that I got fluid build-up in my knees.
This discouraged me because I didn’t even come close to meeting my goals that weekend. I also had to take a break from riding my bike for a while. I tried doing Uber on foot for two weeks. It was even less lucrative and put way more strain on my legs. I stopped doing Uber shortly after this experience. The toll taken on my body was not worth what I was making. I eventually came back to Uber after the pandemic. The pandemic made it a lot easier to make money. Many people preferred ordering their food and groceries as opposed to visiting restaurants, which significantly increased the demand for delivery services. On a good day, I could make almost $200. On a slow day, I’d make a minimum of $75. Recently, Uber started paying drivers an hourly rate of 20 dollars. It started off well. However, after a while, the company began regulating how many drivers could actively complete deliveries at the same time. If delivery demand isn’t high enough, Uber Eats will remove you for the time being. You can reserve which time slots to work during the day, but only five weekly reservations exist.
I wouldn’t recommend anyone delivering for Uber Eats in New York City. The pay is helpful if you can stay online for a few hours; however, the problem lies with being able to stay online in itself. If you aren’t located in a busy area, it can be hard for you to stay active online. Often, Uber Eats will make you deliver outside of dense delivery zones, which creates a loop in which the company removes you from the delivery system.
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