Meet the bike courier who delivers food as a career

Brandon Gobel posts by his bike. (Shen Lu/MEDILL)
Brandon Gobel posts by his bike. (Shen Lu/MEDILL)

By Tian Li and Shen Lu

What do you know about the person who delivers your sushi?

To people like Brandon Gobel, a full-time bike courier at Cat Cuts Courier, delivering food on his bike is a fulfilling job that allows him to schedule his work, enjoy the Chicago neighborhoods and spend the majority of his time on the bike. The cycling enthusiast has been running food orders for seven years, and sees a continuing career as a professional bike courier.

But what really goes into a work shift on the back of a bike? What’s the difference between a professional bike courier and an independent contractor? Watch the video to find about it.

Photo at top: Brandon Gobel posts by his bike. (Shen Lu/MEDILL)