A new study from the ERROLI project sheds light on the working conditions of urban delivery riders in Paris and Lyon — one of the first large-scale investigations into this rapidly growing yet poorly understood sector.
Researchers surveyed 1,005 riders recruited directly at 26 working locations across both cities. The typical rider is a young man (average age 28.5), working around 8 hours a day, six days a week, covering over 50 km and completing 17 deliveries daily. Nearly half (48%) were not working under their own platform account, but renting access from a third party — a practice that raises serious questions about legal status and worker protection.
Electric bikes were the dominant mode of transport (50%), ahead of regular bikes (23%) and motorized two-wheelers (20%). Despite demanding conditions, two-thirds of riders reported being satisfied with their income, which for most fell between €1,000 and €2,000 per month.
The study also revealed notable differences between the two cities. Paris showed higher rates of account rental, shorter job tenure, more frequent conflicts with clients and platforms, and lower overall earnings than Lyon. Lyon riders, meanwhile, covered greater daily distances but reported slightly better pay and working relationships.
The findings point to a sector characterized by physical strain, long hours, precarious arrangements, and limited regulatory oversight — with a workforce that is almost entirely male and predominantly foreign-born. The authors call for better-adapted regulation to address the heterogeneous and often difficult conditions faced by this growing group of urban workers.