“Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
This oft-quoted and relatively well-known saying has come to be emblematic of the United States Postal Service (USPS), yet even they can be slowed by the economic recession.
With economic hardships forcing everyone to tighten their belts, Santa Cruz citizens have turned to more cost-efficient means of delivering their mail. One such method is the employment of the bicycle courier.
Since the the turn of the 20th century, bicycle couriers have earned their reputation as being fast and reliable in larger cities such as San Francisco — able to beat lights and fly past traffic, the bicycle courier is considered by some to be the perfect solution for local rush deliveries.
Courier companies also possess a local charm, with their staff often being composed of people with intimate knowledge of the areas in which they work.
And by riding their bikes, courier companies lack the harmful greenhouse gas emissions that are inherent with any other motorized business.
Local bicycle courier companies, such as Clutch Couriers and Pedalers Express, recognize the strengths of operating in Santa Cruz.
“We’re a lot faster than motorized deliveries,” said Erin Cott, co-owner and worker of Pedalers Express. “We don’t use cars, so we don’t need oil or gasoline — I think people like that environmental factor about us.”
While the demand may perhaps be higher in larger cities, Santa Cruz’s couriers still have an important niche in the community.
Local courier companies will typically bike several hundred miles a week. Able to deliver virtually anywhere across the county — from San Lorenzo Valley to Watsonville — in a matter of hours bicycle couriers are able to get what you need, where you need it fast.
“Any Clutch Couriers rider can deliver documents up to 100 pounds in Santa Cruz County, including our daily run to Watsonville Superior Court,” said Rick Graves, owner and operator of Clutch Couriers, in an e-mail to City on a Hill Press. “We provide the same day and rush service that USPS, UPS, FedEx, and others don’t.”
Many local businesses, law offices, and other groups are already making use of these bike messengers. Clutch Couriers, boasting an impressive and diverse clientele list, is well-received by those who call upon it.
Adam Bergeron, co-owner of The Crepe Place and frequent client of Clutch Couriers, had nothing but praise for their services, describing them as “just fantastic.”
“They always do what they set about to do — you can always count on them,” Bergeron said.
However, courier companies are not exempt from the economic recession. Recently, Pedalers Express lost quite a few of their biggest clients. Clutch Couriers also saw a significant drop in its advertising and entertainment sector. With the continual development of technology coupled alongside the economic downturn, Cott finds that the contemporary bicycle courier riding harder and faster may not be enough.
“We hold meetings every week to address just that,” Cott said. “We recently took on an apprentice who can help us with marketing, so hopefully that will help.”
However while some old doors may close, courier companies are constantly alert for new business opportunities.
During the harder-hitting time in the recession, for example, Clutch Couriers experienced a notable uptick in its handling of legal documents. The U.S. Postal Service’s motion to cancel its Saturday deliveries may serve as another such opportunity.
“Most people that use the USPS only want to spend 44 cents per delivery,” Graves said. “The trick is to be there for them, with what they need, when they need it. Then business booms year-round!”
Although the work is hard, Graves and other bicycle couriers would agree it’s worth it.
As Graves put it,“Four out of five of our crew members count this as their only job, and, although we aren’t getting rich, we are making a decent living in one of the most beautiful places on earth doing what we love.”
