Bike Messengers
An Old School Solution That Still Makes Sense in Crowded Cities
BY ANDREA OBSTON , CLDA DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS
When it comes to deliveries in cities , there ’ s still a role for the triedand-true bike messengers . While trucks and vans circle the block looking for parking places in the jam-packed streets of New York , Boston and San Francisco , bike messengers don ’ t need to fight for a place at the curb . In crowded environments , they offer speed , efficiency , no need for parking and a lower-cost way to handle some parts of the last-mile .
For one city delivery company , Breakaway Courier Boston , are a very viable approach . CLDA Magazine interviewed the owner , Thomas Cromwell , to find out why this oldschool solution still works for some of their customers .
CLDA Mag : Tell us about your company
CROMWELL : We were founded in 1999 to provide local , on-demand deliveries in Boston . We are a part of Breakaway Courier Systems Inc ., which originated in New York City in 1988 and still delivers in New York . Although Breakaway Courier Boston services the entire New England area , most of our pick-ups and deliveries are in the Greater Boston , Eastern Massachusetts , Rhode Island , and Southern New
Hampshire vicinity . We specialize in same-day / same-hour deliveries with strict deadlines . Bike messengers have been a core part of our business for many years , although today , we also use cars , vans , and trucks when needed . We still use bike messengers to service many of our biotech , legal , accounting , banking , government and retail customers . They are useful for transporting documents , DNA samples , mail and checks .
CLDA Mag : How does your company use bike messengers to cope with the challenges of delivering in a high-density environment like a city ?
CROMWELL : Bikers can move faster in traffic and don ’ t have any parking issues . Federal and State courts , government offices , and hospitals are all in areas of Boston where bikers have much easier access capabilities than drivers . Some loading docks require commercial plates for vehicles to access . Not all our drivers have commercial plates , so this presents a situation where a biker can help drivers deliver packages .
CLDA Mag : How do you use traditional delivery vehicles such as cars and vans in concert with bike messengers ?
CROMWELL : In Boston , our bikers assist our drivers by picking up and dropping off packages , especially in buildings where it ’ s difficult for drivers to park . Sometimes , bikers meet up with drivers to finish the last leg of a delivery . Other times , bikers drop ( or pick up ) packages at our office , which will ultimately be delivered by one of our drivers in a car , truck or van .
CLDA Mag : What are the unique challenges of using bike messengers ?
Cromwell : Weather , Workers ’ Compensation , liability , finding riders and having enough work to cover wages and taxes .
CLDA Mag : What advice do you have for a carrier considering using bike messengers ?
CROMWELL : Think twice , as workers ’ compensation and insurance can be very expensive . Make sure you have enough work to keep them busy . CLDA
Want to know more about Breakaway Courier Systems ? You ’ ll find them at BreakawayCourierSystems . com . You can also reach Tom at tcromwell @ breakawaycourier . com or by phone at 617.426.7575 .
spring 2024 I customized logistics & delivery Magazine 33