There are transportation options beyond just personal cars for delivery drivers, and choosing the right one can impact earnings, expenses, and efficiency.
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On This Page:
Consider Car Alternatives
The Most Affordable Option
Best Bang for Your Buck
Highest Return on Investment
The Ideal Choice
How to Decide
The information on this page is based on general research, and results may vary by location or platform. For more information, see our advice disclaimer.
Personal Car Alternatives for Food Delivery
It’s true that using a car can be less energy consuming for delivery work, and most people using delivery apps prefer the convenience of a personal vehicle. But the reality is, everyone need’s money in a hurry, but we don’t all have access to a car for delivery work. This leaves some delivery app workers to explore alternate transportation methods that fit their needs.
Thankfully, there are plenty of options to pick from. It all depends on your personal preference, whether a driver is looking for something affordable and eco-friendly, or something fast and powerful. Each transportation type has its own advantages, and understanding the benefits of each mode of transportation can help delivery workers make the best choice.
Below, we’ll explore the different alternative transportation options for delivery app drivers, and the advantages of each.
The Most Affordable Option: Bicycles
Traditional Bikes
Using a bike for delivery work is one of the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly options. Traditional bicycles have zero fuel costs, low maintenance expenses, and no insurance requirements, making them ideal for couriers who want to maximize their earnings quickly without worrying about vehicle-related costs.
They are also exempt from traffic congestion and parking restrictions, allowing for fast, efficient deliveries in urban areas. However, traditional bicycles require physical stamina, which may not be suitable for all drivers, especially over long distances.
Electric Bikes
Electric bicycles (e-bikes) provide the same benefits as traditional bicycles but with added motor help, reducing physical strain and allowing drivers to cover longer distances with less effort. Many platforms now support and encourage bicycle deliveries, making them a great alternative for drivers who want low operating costs and high mobility.
To optimize performance, it’s important to have the right gear and accessories. Check out our Bike & Scooter Delivery Gear guide to equip your ride for the best experience.
What You'll Need
For delivery drivers using traditional or electric bikes, a handlebar-mounted phone holder is key. It allows for hands-free navigation while ensuring the device stays securely in place over bumps and rough terrain. Since bicycles don’t have built-in power sources, a portable battery pack is also essential for keeping phones charged throughout a shift.
Delivery specific gear should include a backpack-style insulated bag or a rear rack-mounted insulated bag, which makes transporting hot food and groceries easier while maintaining temperature control.
A drink carrier that attaches to the bike frame or fits inside an insulated bag can help prevent spills during transport. For grocery or multi-item deliveries, collapsible reusable tote bags or crates that attach to a cargo rack can improve efficiency by keeping items organized and stable.
Bike & Scooter
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Best Bang for Your Buck: Scooters & Mopeds
Electric Scooters
Scooters provide a lightweight, portable transportation option that works well for short-distance deliveries in urban areas. While you can’t go too far, electric scooters (e-scooters) are able to provide fast speeds, and have low operating costs.
Many cities have electric scooter rental services, which can be useful for couriers who don’t want to own a vehicle but need an efficient way to complete short-range deliveries. The downside of scooters is limited cargo capacity, but for drivers focused on small food orders or lightweight packages, they are a quick and cost-effective choice.
Mopeds
Whether Mopeds are technically considered scooters or not, they offer a perfect balance between affordability and speed, making them a great bang for your buck pick for delivery drivers. They are more fuel-efficient than cars, with many models getting over 100 miles per gallon, significantly lowering fuel costs.
- Mopeds also have low maintenance expenses and are cheaper to insure compared to motorcycles or cars. Their compact size makes parking easy, and in some areas, they can be used in bicycle lanes, further reducing travel time.
While mopeds offer greater speed and range than bicycles, they still have some limitations, such as smaller storage space for deliveries and restrictions in certain areas that require motorcycle licenses or special permits. However, for drivers who are looking for an affordable way to complete deliveries faster than a bicycle but without the cost of a car, mopeds are an excellent choice.
What You'll Need
Delivery workers using electric scooters need lightweight, compact accessories that won’t interfere with mobility. A handlebar-mounted phone holder is a must-have for hands-free navigation, and for electric scooter users, a frame-mounted battery pack can help charge devices on the go.
A backpack-style insulated bag is the best option for carrying orders, since scooters don’t have a storage rack. Some electric scooters allow for rear rack attachments, but it may be simpler to consider a small under-handlebar pouch, since storage space is limited.
Since mopeds are so versatile, you can get by with using the same delivery essentials for slower options like bikes & scooters, and you can use essentials from more powerful options like motorcycles. But similar to the rest, a handlebar-mounted phone holder is essential for quick navigation, and a USB charger adapter can help keep devices powered.
Highest Return on Investment: Motorcycles
Motorcycles
Motorcycles combine speed, efficiency, and long-range capabilities, making them ideal for high-volume or long-distance deliveries. Compared to cars, motorcycles consume less fuel, have lower insurance costs, and require less maintenance, making them a great choice for drivers who want fast transportation with reduced expenses.
- Motorcycles also avoid traffic congestion, cutting down delivery times and increasing the number of orders a driver can complete per shift. However, motorcycles require a specific license, and some apps have restrictions on using them for food delivery. Storage space is also more limited than in a car, but with the right delivery accessories, this issue can be managed.
What You'll Need
Most of the delivery gear that motorcycle owners will need has been mentioned for the other options in this article. Though, it’s important to consider secure, vibration-resistant accessories because of road conditions and high speeds.
A rear-mounted insulated delivery box would be the best option for keeping food stable, but some riders prefer a strap-secured backpack-style insulated bag for convenience. When in doubt, motorcycle owners can still take advantage of our Bike & Scooter Delivery Gear guide.
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The Ideal Scenario: Rent or Borrow a Car
Using a Car
Using a car remains the most versatile and convenient transportation choice for many delivery workers, so borrowing a car may be a compelling option. While borrowing and renting cars is generally allowed on popular apps, we recommend being completely transparent with the apps you work for to ensure your situation aligns with their polices.
Cars give drivers protection from bad weather, making it easier to work year-round without interruptions. Unlike bicycles or scooters, cars also offer the most storage space, allowing drivers to carry large orders, groceries, or multiple deliveries at once.
For drivers who don’t own a personal vehicle or don’t have access to a car for delivery work, many companies offer short-term rentals specifically for delivery drivers, like Uber’s Vehicle Marketplace, or Hertz Delivery Rentals. This allows couriers to work without worrying about maintenance, depreciation, or insurance costs.
- Many delivery drivers who rent cars choose vehicles suited for delivery work; fuel-efficient models with spacious trunks. However, rental costs can cut into earnings, so drivers need to carefully calculate whether renting makes financial sense based on their expected income.
What You'll Need
Since rental agreements often prohibit modifications, it’s important to use removable accessories to avoid damaging the vehicle. It’ll be useful to keep your own reusable grocery tote bags or car organizers. A small, cordless vacuum cleaner would be helpful with keeping the car clean, so no fees are added on when you return it. You can find the right removable accessories and cleaning tools to choose from in our Delivery Driver Essentials guide, designed for drivers.
Choosing the Best Option: How to Decide
Delivery drivers have many alternate transportation options, each with its own set of advantages. Bicycles and electric bikes provide cost-effective, eco-friendly delivery solutions, while mopeds and scooters offer efficient mobility in urban areas. Motorcycles deliver speed and long-range capabilities, while rental vehicles provide a flexible option for those who want to use a car but don’t own one.
Choosing the right transportation type depends on a driver’s budget, delivery area, and personal preferences. We recommend doing research on each of the vehicle types to see what would suit your situation best. Regardless of the vehicle used, optimizing your experience with the right tools can enhance efficiency, safety, and profitability.
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