Bike messengers still bombing streets but losing business

Bicycle messengers have seen their sales erode by as much as 50% in the past two years as faster computer connections and increased on-line communication means fewer businesses are relying on hand delivery of their messages. X-press Bikers, which founded its business in 1996 on the concept that its two-wheeled deliverymen could supply letters and packages faster than their four-wheeled counterparts, said the drop-off in demand has forced the courier to reduce its bike messenger workforce. "We have about 70 couriers (in Warsaw) and only 20 on bikes," said Adam Tomczak, president of X-press Bikers. "Two years ago that would have been about 50-60 on bikes, so the proportion has totally changed. Bikes only go so far and our clients have forced us to start thinking of (expanding beyond) just two wheels. In 1999 we introduced cars and expanded to serve the entire Mazowieckie area, and then in the middle of 2000 we signed an agreement with UPS to deliver nationwide." Messenger Service Stolica had 30 bicycle couriers until February, when it decided to invest in scooters instead. "We are seeing how it goes but (scooters) also go in the most difficult areas in Warsaw, in the center, and are very flexible," said Ewa Kaczmarek, the firm's spokeswoman. "They are more comfortable for the courier, meaning he doesn't get tired and this allows them to go further."

Shifting gears As courier companies shift away from relying on bikers to deliver their packages, some of the messengers themselves are preempting job cuts by starting their own businesses. In the case of Krzysztof Karpiński, who helped set up Speed Bike in January, avoiding costly overhead expenses such as a telephone operator means more money for him and his partners. "There are four of us at Speed Bike; we started it about three months ago and are hoping to keep expanding," Karpiński said. "We collaborate with another small company, Kaspio, and promote ourselves by offering high-quality, friendly service. Because we get 100%, we have a real incentive to do a good job and can also offer really competitive rates." X-press Bikers' Tomczak, who attributed the reduced number of bike couriers to wider e-mail and fax use, said he still considers bicycle delivery an integral part of the business. "When we know a car will get stuck in traffic we send a bike, or for deliveries in the center," he said. "Our time for central deliveries is 30 minutes and we know we couldn't do this via car, as parking alone can take five to 10 minutes." Masterlink, which employs 15 bicycle couriers in Warsaw and is the only firm with a female biker on its books, is equally bullish on the company's prospects. "Because (the bikers) are so enthusiastic - many of them do the job as a hobby - they are a great advertisement for our company," said Olga Okozierowska, Masterlink's spokeswoman. "They will always be more mobile and more flexible in the city and more visible and eye-catching, and make our logo visible. Clients will also always specifically ask for biker couriers as they know the service will be quicker because of the traffic."