If you’re thinking about driving for Uber Eats, it’s helpful to know whether a bike or car is better for delivering orders. There are several important things to consider for both modes of transportation.
Both delivery methods have their pros and cons, which we will cover in this post.
If you’ll be delivering in a metro area with many restaurants nearby, a bike may be a better option to use for deliveries. However, if you plan to take orders more than a few miles away or will be delivering in a more rural area, a car is probably best.
At the end of the day, it comes down to your own personal preferences and situation. Some drivers swear by using a bike for delivering orders, while others prefer a car. Weighing the pros and cons of each will help you make the right choice so that you come out ahead in the long run.
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Pros and Cons of Using a Bike to Deliver UberEats Orders
Pros
- Easier to park and get around traffic – much more efficient for city deliveries and metro areas
- Doesn’t require insurance
- Doesn’t use gas and is much more cost-effective
- Less wear and tear overall
Cons
- Physically demanding, especially with a lot of orders
- Can get uncomfortable
- Not able to carry large orders, which can impact your revenue as a driver
- Can be unsafe depending on the area
Pros and Cons of Using a Car to Deliver UberEats Orders
Pros
- Can take on big orders, increasing your revenue overall
- More comfortable and convenient for most people
- Doesn’t require much in terms of physical effort
- Can be more efficient when deliveries are outside of the city and when you have longer routes or a lot of orders to deliver
Cons
- Uses gas, and could greatly impact your profit margins depending on your vehicle
- Requires insurance
- Is difficult and inconvenient to deliver in cities or metro areas, especially during peak traffic and dining hours
- Causes wear and tear on your vehicle
UberEats Bike Vs Car: Which Pays More?
Uber Eats doesn’t pay more whether you deliver on a bike or with a car. The costs and profit margins come down to several factors, which are all important to consider as a delivery driver.
Things that will affect your profit margins as an Uber Eats driver:
- Your delivery area (whether or not you deliver in a metro or rural area will end up affecting distances and delivery times)
- Number of restaurants within the same vicinity (likelihood of total orders you may receive)
- Carrying capacity (you can take much bigger orders, potentially earning more)
- Car insurance (you must be insured to drive for Uber Eats)
- Gas prices (vehicles tend to get the worst gas mileage driving in the city, as opposed to highway driving)
- Maintenance on the bike or vehicle (riding and driving around puts stress on your bike and vehicles)
Can I Change Uber Eats Delivery Method From Car To Bike?
Yes, you can change your transportation method as an Uber Eats driver. Whether you want to change it from a car to a bike or vice versa, you’ll need to submit a form requesting the change.
Even if you’re already a driver for Uber Eats, you may need to submit certain documents and information. From there, they will need to be reviewed and approved, which can take several days.
Uber Eats Car or Bike for Delivering?
If you’ll be delivering for Uber Eats in a heavy-traffic area with many restaurants, it might be best to use a bike. On the flip side, if you’ll be delivering in rural areas and want to take on bigger orders and longer routes, you should deliver via car.
Both modes of transportation are very common for different reasons and in different circumstances. There are several factors that will affect your bottom dollar and potentially even your rating as an Uber Eats driver, so it’s worth considering everything ahead of time.
The good news is that even if you start out using one delivery method, you can change your mode of transportation down the line. There’s no pressure to pick the perfect delivery method right away.