If you live in an urban community, or even a small town, to become a bicycle messenger is as easy as falling off a log. All you need is a bike and a cell phone. You can make up some business cards and flyers. Your first task as a messenger is to deliver the flyers to bulletin boards all over town, and to deliver the cards into the hands of as many people as you can. Don’t forget about Craigslist – a great cost-free way to advertise a service in most towns. If you live in a large city, there may already be messenger services. But there’s always room for more. Especially if you do something unique. For instance, you might deliver meals between 9pm and midnight. Or you might specialize in transporting medical records – whatever you find a need for in your city. If you’re in a small town, even as small as 5,000 residents, you can set up a general messenger service and prosper nicely.

Although messengers who use cars can deliver more quickly and can carry larger packages, many people just love the idea of the small ecological footprint of utilizing bicycles to deliver their messages, lunches and small packages.

Meanwhile, you get exercise while at work, and are likely to live a longer, happier, healthier life than one who spends their time at a desk.

Do be careful about breathing air pollution and stay aware of traffic. Statistically, you’re better off health-wise riding your bike than sitting around doing nothing. This is not a job for someone who doesn’t get enough sleep, is unaware, drinks too much, or takes unnecessary risks.

If an organized bicycle messenger service exists in your area, you might start by working for them, so you can learn intricacies of the business. Later, when you set out as an independent, you’ll make money on your own.

For general information about how to start and promote a bicycle messenger service, you might find this page helpful: General Business Action Pack.