How to Prep Your Bike for Earning Side Income

Congrats! You scored that summer job as a bike messenger. Maybe you’re delivering for Uber Eats. Maybe delivering mail. Either way, getting a job as a bike messenger is a fantastic way to make money and stay active at the same time.

Prepping for your bike messenger job is important. There are a few key things to keep in mind before your first day. Don’t get caught without these items.

Make your rides easy by knowing how to prep your bike for becoming a bike messenger. Read on and put these on your checklist!

Make sure your bike meets safety standards

You’ll need to examine the bike you currently want to use and ask yourself if it could actually handle long distances and endurance. Being a bike messenger doesn’t mean strolling down the street and grabbing the coffee.

Bike prices can range from pretty cheap to thousands of dollars, so it depends on what your budget is. Consider it an investment into your new lifestyle as a bike messenger.

Safety is key here, so you want a bike that offers powerful breaks and that isn’t rickety. Vintage bikes are awesome, but probably not for your new bike messenger job.

The Fuji Supreme is a good choice that will get you where you need to be fast. You can find this one at Performance Bike.

It’s an aerodynamic bike that is lightweight enough to let you zip around and drop off items quickly. The rims are wrapped in Vittoria Rubino Pro tires, offering an “unbelievably smooth ride.”

It looks good and it’s dependable, and Performance Bike usually has free shipping promo codes and other offers available to make it more affordable.

If that bike was a little much, there are road bikes like the Nashbar Touring Bike. This bike is made for the street and will carry you to drop off after drop off.

This one is made with a chromoly frame and fork, so you can depend on it to work. It also offers smooth gear changes and an aluminum rear rack. The Tektro linear pull brakes make sure you are equipped with quality breaks – something your life could depend on during your work shifts.

Nashbar always offers free shipping on orders over $49 (so, any bike ever) and offers other promo codes and savings as well.

Bottom line – make sure your bike can handle the road and will be guaranteed to deliver food with no issues.

Get a basket

You’ll need something to hold your packages in if you don’t use a backpack. You can get a basket for super cheap at Walmart and it’ll do the job.

Another thing to think about is drinks. If you’re delivering for Postmates or any other food delivery service, you’ll need a safe spot to keep drinks for your customers. A good one is a sturdy choice from State Bicycle.

If you need more space, you can get this cute IKEA Bicycle Trailer (SLADDA). It’ll trail along behind you to help carry orders (plus, promo codes and sale offers do exist).

Just make this your bike trailer, or get this as well as a front basket for larger orders.

Bring water

Stay hydrated while you’re on your bike messenger job. This means bringing water with you. Staying hydrated and alert is important since you will be riding around town near cars and other potentially dangerous motor vehicles. But where should you store your beverage? This is where a good side holder can come in handy.

REI sells a beverage holder that will keep your water bottle locked in, and they’re usually always offering a 15% off promo code, or another type of sale.

Keep it wherever is convenient for you while you’re getting from point A to point B.

You can also get a simple holder that goes on near your handlebars. This stainless steel holder comes with a mounting bracket. You can find it on Amazon.

This one goes on easy and acts as more of a looser cup holder than something that secures the drink.\

Helmets are necessary

It might seem “uncool” to wear a helmet, but it’s a matter of life or death. The amount of time you’ll be spending on your bike can increase the chances of you getting into a serious accident. The longer your shifts are, the higher the chances are for something to happen.

Stay safe. Wear a helmet and reduce the chance of injury. They have helmets on the market that actually look cool and aren’t big and bulky like helmets from the ’90s.

The Lazer Bullet helmet from Competitive Cyclist is low key and works well. It’s on the pricier end, but you usually can score a $10 off promo code or some other type of discount to make it worth it.

This all-black helmet was created by a company that’s been making helmets for over 100 years, so you’re buying from a solid brand. Lazer partners with a Swedish brand called MIPS (Multi-Directional Impact Protection System) that designs the inner layer of protection.

Prepare for the weather

Is it mostly going to be hot outside? Will it rain? These are things to consider when you’re planning what the days will be like while you’re out delivering.

If it’s hot outside, you must use SPF. Sun damage and risk of cancers of the skin is too high, and you’ll be out in the sun a lot.

A great sunscreen is Sun Bum SPF 70, which is strong enough to shield you from harmful rays. You can get this almost anywhere, but Dermstore offers promo codes to get instant discounts.

This broad spray sunscreen will get every inch of your skin to make sure you’re not exposed to sunlight. One ingredient to point out is Vitamin E which protects you from free-radical damage.

For rain, you’ll need protection from getting soaked. You’re going to get wet since there’s no way to carry an umbrella while you ride. But, you can do your best to stay dry!

A good rain jacket will help you deliver packages without being too uncomfortable with moisture. You can choose to go casual or pick a pro’s jacket. For a casual but trusty jacket, the polyester Nuckily Riding Coat from Light in the Box is a good one.

It’s fabric wicks away moisture and offers reflective strips to catch drivers eyes when you’re near. Look here for Light in the Box promo codes to get discounts.

For a jacket that you can wear casually, the L.L. Bean Trail Model Rain Jacket is a coat that will look cool on or off the bike.

A good, basic rain jacket like this will withstand any styles or trends that come and go. Check for L.L. Bean discount codes or coupons.

Conclusion

After reading these pieces of advice, we hope you are now aware of how to prep your bike for becoming a bike messenger. Convenience and comfort are key and safety is a must!