Food delivery is one of the most popular side hustles today, especially after the pandemic. It has turned into a huge opportunity for gig workers. Most people tend to use their car to make deliveries with DoorDash, but did you know you can DoorDash on a motorcycle? If you are interested in making money on two wheels you’re in the right place.
In this guide, we’ll go in-depth into whether it’s a good idea to use a motorcycle to deliver for DoorDash. It is a great way to make extra money zipping around the city and a good alternative to making money online if you’re tired of sitting in a chair all day.
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How Does DoorDash Work With Motorcycles?
DoorDash is the biggest food delivery service in the United States. It currently has about 60% of the market share and you can deliver by car, bike, scooter, or motorcycle.
To become a DoorDash driver (what DoorDash calls a Dasher), you’ll need to sign up for their platform, meet the requirements (which involve having an eligible mode of transportation), and submit to a background check.
Here’s a full guide to everything you need to know about becoming a DoorDash driver.
Choose your hours with DoorDash
DoorDash is a low-commitment side job, and you can create your own schedule.
Where Can You DoorDash on a Motorcycle?
Dashers are only allowed to use motorcycles in bigger cities. Some of the cities include Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C.. These are perfect places to move around on two wheels since they usually have heavily congested streets. On a motorcycle, you can get around faster and potentially make more money in the same amount of time instead of being stuck in traffic with a car.
Requirements for Delivering on a Motorcycle
To start, you’ll first need to figure out if DoorDash accepts motorcycles in your area. There might be some locations that don’t allow it.
Here are some of the requirements to get started:
- Driver’s License: You’ll need a valid motorcycle license and a clean driving record.
- Vehicle: Most vehicles are permitted to drive with DoorDash, from cars to motorcycles and even scooters. Make sure your vehicle is safe and reliable to drive.
- Insurance: You’ll need an active insurance policy for your motorcycle. Insurance policies that specialize in food delivery usually costs more than standard auto insurance.
- Minimum Age: You’ll have to be 18 years or older, and meet the minimum age requirements for your city.
- Social Security Number: This will be used for your background check.
- Background Check: It’s a screening process that reviews any criminal or driving records for any red flags to approve you to deliver for DoorDash.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- You’ll spend less money on gas. You can potentially make more profit delivering with a motorcycle than with a car due to the amount of money you’d save on gas for every order you deliver.
- Your accessibility will be greater. It is easier to find parking and physically easier to get off your motorcycle than exit your car every time you do a delivery.
- If you love riding your motorcycle as a hobby, this is a great way to have fun while making extra money cruising around your city.
- You have the potential to make faster deliveries. You could make more deliveries per hour since you don’t have to spend as much time finding parking or getting stuck in traffic.
Cons:
- You’ll have limited space for food. A motorcycle might not be the best option to stack orders or take on big delivery orders due to the lack of space.
- There is a danger factor to delivering on a motorcycle; it leaves you more vulnerable than having the protection of a car.
- The weather will affect you. If it is raining or too hot, it could affect your ability to work long hours. You’ll also need an insulated bag to protect customers’ food from the elements.
- Delivering on a motorcycle might be more physically demanding than a car for you. You don’t have the same ability to sit back as you would in a car.
DoorDash Motorcycle Gear and Accessories
Protective gear: Wear a motorcycle helmet, motorcycle gloves with touchscreen compatibility, and protective clothing like an armored jacket that can protect you from potential impacts.
Weather protection gear: When Dashing on a motorcycle, you will be exposed to the elements of heat, cold, wind, and rain. Make sure to invest in a raincoat and an insulated bag to protect the food from getting wet.
Motorcycle accessories: Invest in a sturdy phone mount and a phone charger (because Dashing can use a lot of your battery life).
DoorDash motorcycle bag:
DoorDash offers Dashers a branded insulated bag, but you may want to consider other alternatives that will fit comfortably on your motorcycle. There are plenty of different insulated bags that come in all shapes and sizes. This way the food you are delivering can be kept at a consistent temperature and safe from getting wet.
Tips To Make More Money Delivering on a Motorcycle:
- Safety first: Don’t just get on your motorcycle and start making deliveries. Make sure you have the appropriate gear like an armored jacket, gloves, a helmet, and protective shoes to ensure your overall safety.
- Check the DoorDash motorcycle market near you: Make sure that DoorDash allows motorcycle deliveries in your area. Usually, bigger cities like San Francisco, Washington D.C., and Seattle will offer availability for motorcycles.
- Optimize traffic routes: Use safe routes (i.e. city streets vs. highways) and look for deliveries that don’t require huge amounts of travel. Traveling as few miles as possible will reduce the chances of any unexpected accidents or traffic jams.
- Keep your food safe: Going above and beyond to deliver food that is still warm and in good condition is paramount for customer service and increasing the money you make in tips. You might want to get a second lid to avoid spilling drinks or use double bags on items that might be too heavy.
- Delivering on hotspots: You can start your dash in a busy area (where there are lots of restaurants, delis, or food trucks). You can check this out on your DoorDash app before you start your deliveries.
- Order stacking: You can accept multiple orders and stack them if you have room for more food in your bag and make more money with fewer trips.
- Open your availability: Leave the Dasher app open while you’re riding to accept new opportunities that appear while you are in between orders.
Be your own boss
Working for DoorDash is a flexible side hustle, and you can make extra money driving in your spare time.
Can I Deliver With DoorDash on a Bicycle?
The short answer is yes. DoorDash is very flexible as to which kinds of transportation it lets Dashers use, and one of those options is delivering food to customers using a bicycle. Delivering with bicycles is often more popular in urban areas where riding is more convenient than driving a car due to limited parking, narrow streets, or heavy traffic. DoorDash will also keep your deliveries to a shorter distance, considering you are using a bicycle as a vehicle.
The Final Word:
DoorDash is a great way to make money with almost any vehicle. If you are a motorcycle rider and want to cruise around the city while making money, this is a great option for you. Not only will you save on gas, but your maneuverability throughout the city will be easier than with a car. Sign up with DoorDash today to start making fun money fast.
If you’re interested in driving for DoorDash but don’t like the idea of delivering with a motorcycle, you can always use your car, bicycle or scooter to make deliveries as well. There are options for everybody when you deliver with DoorDash.
FAQs
There is more of a risk to delivering food with your motorcycle as it lacks the protection a car can bring. If you decide to deliver DoorDash on a motorcycle, make sure you have all the protective gear necessary to maintain safety.
All you need to start driving for DoorDash is a valid domestic driver’s license and a clean driving record. Some vehicle options in different markets are cars, bikes, e-bikes, or scooters.
DoorDash disclaimer:
- Earning more on certain types of orders (ex. alcohol): Earn more per order as compared to restaurant orders. Actual earnings may differ and depend on factors like number of deliveries you accept and complete, time of day, location, and any costs. Hourly pay is calculated using average Dasher payouts while on a delivery (from the time you accept an order until the time you drop it off) over a 90-day period and includes compensation from tips, peak pay, and other incentives.
- Get paid instantly (DasherDirect): Subject to approval
- Cash out daily (Fast Pay): Fees apply
- Start dashing today: Subject to background check and availability
- Dash anytime: Subject to availability