Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers
Abstract Background Platform-based fast delivery is developing rapidly in many cities across the world, especially in the food sector. Yet knowledge about the characteristics and the activity patterns of delivery couriers is scarce, especially in terms of their mobility behavior. Methodology Based o...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2022-10-01
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| Series: | European Transport Research Review |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-022-00569-8 |
| _version_ | 1828345292787810304 |
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| author | Anne Aguilera Laetitia Dablanc Camille Krier Nicolas Louvet |
| author_facet | Anne Aguilera Laetitia Dablanc Camille Krier Nicolas Louvet |
| author_sort | Anne Aguilera |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Platform-based fast delivery is developing rapidly in many cities across the world, especially in the food sector. Yet knowledge about the characteristics and the activity patterns of delivery couriers is scarce, especially in terms of their mobility behavior. Methodology Based on two questionnaire surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 with 300 and 500 couriers respectively, this article analyses the profiles, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers working in Paris (France), with a focus on the impacts of the pandemic. Results First, the analysis of the profiles and motivations of couriers reveals that platform-based delivery is largely a temporary activity performed by young males of foreign origin, and undertaken as a student job or an entry to the labor market. Second, data on mobility patterns confirm that platform-based delivery is a dangerous activity with a high risk of road accidents. Moreover, many couriers break the law in order to increase their income by using motorized two-wheelers that are not legally permitted in France. We also show the use of shared bikes, which seems to be a great support tool for couriers who are starting work in this sector or have a problem with their own bikes. Third, the pandemic prompted many students to become platform-based delivery couriers in order to compensate for the lack of student jobs. It also worsened the working conditions of the majority of platform-based couriers. These findings raise new urban policy challenges and also new avenues for research in terms of topics and methods. |
| first_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:09:33Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6a63dbbea6384a1a9c287065db7505a4 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1867-0717 1866-8887 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-04-14T00:09:33Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Transport Research Review |
| spelling | doaj.art-6a63dbbea6384a1a9c287065db7505a42022-12-22T02:23:24ZengSpringerOpenEuropean Transport Research Review1867-07171866-88872022-10-011411910.1186/s12544-022-00569-8Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriersAnne Aguilera0Laetitia Dablanc1Camille Krier2Nicolas Louvet3LVMT, Univ. Gustave Eiffel, Ecole des PontsLVMT, Univ. Gustave Eiffel, Ecole des Ponts6t Bureau de Recherche6t Bureau de RechercheAbstract Background Platform-based fast delivery is developing rapidly in many cities across the world, especially in the food sector. Yet knowledge about the characteristics and the activity patterns of delivery couriers is scarce, especially in terms of their mobility behavior. Methodology Based on two questionnaire surveys conducted in 2020 and 2021 with 300 and 500 couriers respectively, this article analyses the profiles, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers working in Paris (France), with a focus on the impacts of the pandemic. Results First, the analysis of the profiles and motivations of couriers reveals that platform-based delivery is largely a temporary activity performed by young males of foreign origin, and undertaken as a student job or an entry to the labor market. Second, data on mobility patterns confirm that platform-based delivery is a dangerous activity with a high risk of road accidents. Moreover, many couriers break the law in order to increase their income by using motorized two-wheelers that are not legally permitted in France. We also show the use of shared bikes, which seems to be a great support tool for couriers who are starting work in this sector or have a problem with their own bikes. Third, the pandemic prompted many students to become platform-based delivery couriers in order to compensate for the lack of student jobs. It also worsened the working conditions of the majority of platform-based couriers. These findings raise new urban policy challenges and also new avenues for research in terms of topics and methods.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-022-00569-8DeliveryPlatformsCouriersBikesShared mobilityAccidents |
| spellingShingle | Anne Aguilera Laetitia Dablanc Camille Krier Nicolas Louvet Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers European Transport Research Review Delivery Platforms Couriers Bikes Shared mobility Accidents |
| title | Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers |
| title_full | Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers |
| title_fullStr | Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers |
| title_full_unstemmed | Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers |
| title_short | Platform-based food delivery in Paris before and during the pandemic: profile, motivations and mobility patterns of couriers |
| title_sort | platform based food delivery in paris before and during the pandemic profile motivations and mobility patterns of couriers |
| topic | Delivery Platforms Couriers Bikes Shared mobility Accidents |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12544-022-00569-8 |
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