Unemployment, hustling and compliance: What drives the delivery bike industry

While a convenient option for the busy or indisposed customers, retail delivery bikes have become a contentious buzz zipping through city streets.

Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) impounded at least 15 delivery bikes this week, and arrested 10 drivers for contravention of the Immigration Act. 

Seen as an easy-to-access form of employment, entrepreneurs in the delivery bike sphere elaborate on the intricacies of the industry.  

Forced compliance

The 15 motorbikes were impounded for violations, including obstruction and lack of licensing. One individual was arrested for dealing in dagga, and 10 others for contravention of the Immigration Act.

“These efforts are part of a broader citywide initiative to ensure traffic safety, compliance with municipal by-laws, and the protection of pedestrians and motorists,” said JMPD spokesperson Superintendent Xolani Fihla.

“The lack of proper documentation also raises concerns about accountability and regulatory oversight of these delivery services,” Fihla said.

JMPD said these operations were not meant to disrupt legitimate businesses but to promote a safe, legal, and respectful environment for all Johannesburg residents and visitors.

JMPD called on companies and delivery platforms to ensure their riders comply with all relevant legislation and prioritise road safety.

Opportunities of entrepreneurship

Statistics South Africa on Tuesday announced an increase in the unemployment rate, showing one-third of the working population was unable to find work.

The retail delivery industry has created several avenues of entrepreneurship, including renting bikes to drivers.

One man rents bikes out as a side venture and has three bikes out on the road, although one was stolen and another was in an accident.

DGS Rentals’ Daclin Woods says the biggest trouble with bike rentals is verifying fake ID’s, fake passports and fake asylum seeker permits.

“It’s almost like it is cybercrime to an extent. They are using those to sign these bike rental contracts.

“Once you sign the contract with them, then they disappear with the bikes,” said Woods, relaying to The Citizen how his bike was stolen.

To verify bike drivers, Woods does background checks like proof of residence and calls to landlords, and has even resorted to visiting residential premises to confirm himself.

Additionally, there are email addresses on asylum seekers’ documents and passport validations with the Department of Home Affairs.  

“Just keeping the drivers honest in terms of documentation and roadworthiness of the bike is a good thing,” said Woods, commenting on JMPD’s operations.

Freedom to work

Part-time driver Marco Cornelius discussed the conditions that drive the uptake of the delivery driver job.

“Basically, you can work for yourself, you can work on your own time. For me, it’s about freedom,” Cornelius told The Citizen.

Asked about the complaints and accusations that the drivers were discourteous and drove poorly, he said the less experienced the driver, the worse they were.

“Not necessarily everyone. Sometimes there are guys who rent the bike out for a week, and they drive recklessly,” said Cornelius.

He lamented the high level of unemployment in South Africa and suggested jobs of this nature should be reserved for locals, as drivers were predominantly of foreign origin.

‘Well remunerated’

One of the country’s most popular delivery services is Checkers’ Sixty60 offering, which has even spawned a range of children’s merchandise.

According to the retail group, South African drivers drop out of their driving programmes at a rate of about 80%.

Questions over remuneration have been levelled at delivery driver operators, but Shoprite Group chairperson Wendy Lucas-Bull recently backed her company’s policy.

“They earn significantly above the minimum wage, by a long way, and are well-remunerated.

“They have significant benefits attached in terms of funeral policies, insurance and other things like that,” Lucas-Bull stated.

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