Uber Eats and many other food delivery apps allow deliveries by car, motorcycle, and bicycle. You can also deliver on foot in certain areas.
Delivering on foot or bicycle is convenient for those without a motor vehicle, but each option has separate pros and cons. Use the following guide to compare Uber Walker vs bicycle delivery options for Uber Eats.
Quick tip: you can get cash back every time you fill up your gas tank by using the Upside app. It's free and pays out straight to your bank.
Advantages of Walking for Uber Eats
Delivering food on foot is a useful way to make a few dollars in your spare time and get some exercise. You can sign up through the Uber Driver app and start delivering food within a few days with no major upfront costs. The only equipment that you need is an insulated food bag.
Walking also eliminates the need for bike or vehicle maintenance and repairs. Other than replacing your shoes occasionally, you do not have any maintenance or insurance costs.
Disadvantages of Walking for Uber Eats
Walking is not convenient, as some deliveries may require you to walk two or more miles. A single delivery could involve two hours on foot, which limits the number of deliveries you can complete each day.
You may also quickly grow tired of the constant walking. Unless you are in excellent physical shape, spending eight hours or more walking each day is likely to take its toll on your body.
Advantages of Delivering by Bicycle
Delivering for Uber Eats using a bicycle provides several advantages:
- Limit the stress on your body
- Complete more deliveries
- Increase your earning potential
Riding a bicycle can be a workout. However, cycling places less stress on your back, knees, and feet compared to walking.
You can also reach destinations faster on a bike compared to on foot. The average cyclist travels at about 12 to 16 miles per hour on city streets, which is much faster compared to the average walking speed of three to four miles per hour.
Reaching your destinations faster allows you to complete more deliveries. Completing more deliveries increases your earning potential.
Disadvantages of Delivering by Bicycle
Compared to doing UberEats walking delivery, delivering food on a bicycle does not include any major drawbacks other than the cost. If you deliver on foot, you simply need a good pair of shoes and an insulated bag.
A decent bicycle may cost between $300 and $2,000. Even if you already have a bicycle, you may need to occasionally buy new tires or pay for repairs.
Riding a bicycle also involves maintenance. You need to check the components of your bike for signs of wear and tear and keep the bicycle chain clean and lubricated.
How to Sign up to Delivery by Bicycle or Foot
If you do not already have an Uber Driver account, you must create one using the Driver app. Uber requires you to enter your name, social security number, and birth date. After submitting your information, Uber completes a background check, which may take several days.
You must also upload a valid driver’s license or state ID. When signing up, you also need to choose “Delivery by bicycle or foot” under the transportation method.
If you select “Delivery by bicycle or foot,” you do not need to switch between the two delivery methods. You can choose to walk or ride a bike with each delivery.
If you are currently set up to deliver by car or motorcycle, you need to switch your mode of delivery in the app or through the website. It may take Uber up to three days to process the change.
Where Can You Deliver for Uber Eats on Foot or Bicycle?
Uber Eats is available throughout the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. However, only a few select markets allow delivery of Uber Eats on foot or by bicycle.
The US cities with bicycle deliveries include:
- Phoenix
- San Francisco
- Los Angeles
- Denver
- Miami
- Atlanta
- Chicago
- Indianapolis
- New Orleans
- Baltimore
- Washington, DC
- Boston
- Minneapolis
- New York City
- Charlotte, North Carolina
- Columbus, Ohio
- Portland, Oregon
- Philadelphia
- Dallas/Fort Worth
- Houston
- Austin
- Seattle
- Hampton Roads, Virginia
Denver is the only US city that Uber Eats currently lists as an option for delivery on foot. Walkers may also be allowed in Toronto and several other major cities.
In most cases, you are unlikely to have the option between delivering on foot or bike. However, Uber Eats frequently updates its policies and tests new strategies in different markets.
Summary – Uber Walker vs Bicycle
In the end, delivering food with a bicycle is more convenient compared to delivering on foot. Delivering food on foot involves a lot of walking and minimal pay. Uber Eats Walkers complete fewer deliveries, limiting their earning potential.
A two-mile trip may take over an hour on foot. The same trip may take just 15 minutes on a bike.
Click here to start delivering for Uber Eats
Save on gas & groceries: the Upside app gives you cash back when you fill up your tank, buy groceries, or eat out.
You may also try both delivery modes to decide which works best for you. In areas with the “delivery by bicycle or foot” option, you can switch back and forth between delivering on bicycle or foot.
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