Nancy R. Cudis
WHEN you send an able-bodied person on a bicycle to deliver documents around the city, you don’t only have a cost-efficient business concept but one that is environment-friendly as well.
German cycling enthusiast Jens Funk thought so, too, when he helped his friends put up Ecocouriers in December last year.
The bike courier business, comprised of at least six cyclists, has been delivering various items—mostly documents—to people and business organizations in the cities of Cebu, Mandaue and Lapu-Lapu.
“It is a good idea to make biking a business (since) it helps the environment, give opportunities to earn and, at the same time, we get to bike, which we love to do,” Funk told Sun.Star Cebu.
Ecocouriers, a government-registered business, started with an initial investment of P15,000 and operates under Outdoor Perspective, an outdoor gear store along Juana Osmeña St.
The bike courier business—considered to be the first in Cebu—makes 10 to 12 deliveries a day, mostly within Cebu City, for doctors and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Among its clients is Graphic Star at SM City Cebu. Ecocouriers delivers print materials to Graphic Star customers. The bike couriers also transport products for Xooma, an energy drink company, and gifts during special occasions, like Valentine’s Day.
The bike courier company is also trying to get a contract with Darras+Bowler, a wine shop.
Although Ecocouriers received several requests to transport packed food, Funk said the company is still studying ways to avoid spoiling the food.
“Through our flyers and word of mouth, we hope to encourage locals to patronize our services even for regular errands like bills payment,” Funk said.
Ecocouriers’ services include standard (P50 for pick-up and delivery and P80 for roundtrip) and one-hour express (P80 for pick-up and delivery and P120 for roundtrip). Funk stressed, though, that they are open to special arrangements with companies.
“We are also targeting small companies, especially those without drivers (or messengers). Instead of losing a hundred pesos in sending a staff member to make a delivery, they could get Ecocouriers at an affordable rate,” explained Funk.
Getting more cyclists during peak days is not difficult, he said, since he knows many cyclists who would jump at the income opportunity. He cited a couple of cyclists who had joined Ecocouriers after losing their jobs at the Mactan Economic Zone.
Funk is an active member of the local cycling community in the past seven years.
Their bikers, along with the items they deliver, have insurance, Funk said.
Like any business with a new concept, Ecocouriers is confronted with the challenge of getting locals and companies to patronize their services.
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