What is up fellow riders! I’ve compiled a list of items that you should be prepared before becoming a food delivery rider. Some of the items that I have recommended can easily be found in Decathlon stores, and these are items that are my personal favourites which I also use myself! In this blog post, there are 11 items that you should consider getting equipped with when starting your journey of becoming a food delivery rider, regardless of which company you are with!

Click on the links below to read more!

1. Raincoat
2. Phone Holder
3. Rear Rack
4. Delivery Rack
5. Helmet
6. Safety Lights
7. Bicycle Lock
8. Signal Lights
9. Bicycle Pump
10. Thermal Bag
11. Arm Socks

Raincoat

For those who have ORD from SAF, I’m sure you still have your Gortex rain coat! Reuse it, because in the future, during your reservist if you end up using it, you can still head to your camp’s EMART to purchase it using your credit!

However for riders that did not ORD from SAF, fret not because I would recommend you a durable Decathlon raincoat that will not burn a hole in your pocket, which just costs $20! It comes in Blue & Black. I’m using the Blue raincoat myself – a lighter colour so that I am more visible to drivers on the road.

GUB PLUS 6 Phone Mount & MFC The Flash One-Handed Phone Holder

From the start of my food delivery journey, I have always been a fan of GUB Products, because it uses extremely durable, high-grade aluminum and there are many similar series that are also similar to GUB PLUS 6. However, the reason why I’ve been sticking to GUB PLUS 6 is because when you receive the package, it is already pre-assembled for you, and all you’ve got to do is simply attach the rubber grips, mount it onto your handlebar and you’re good to go!

The second phone mount that I would recommend would be The Flash One-Handed Phone Holder, which is also often used in a couple of my videos. While carrying multiple stack orders in one hand, I can simply mount my phone onto the phone holder first without having to struggle to multi-task, and having to worry about my phone dropping onto the floor with my handful of orders.

Bicycle Rear Rack

This item is applicable to bicycle riders or ebikes that don’t come with a rear rack to mount your thermal bag (skip this if yours already comes with a rear rack). For riders who do not wish to install a rear rack, you’ll end up carrying your thermal bag, which would be inconvenient especially when entering tight spaces such lifts and malls, where you will have to be aware of your surroundings to avoid hitting others with your thermal bag.

Delivery Rack With & Without Handles

Once you’ve installed your rear rack(if required), you’ll need to have a platform to hold your thermal bag in place and it comes in 2 sizes, rack for 48L & below OR rack for 80L & below. If you do not know which of the 2 sizes to get, check with your seller. For GrabFood, from May 2021, they have introduced a newer version of their delivery bag. I would recommend you to get the 80L rack with 2 handles as that rack would fit just right.

The other type of rack would be what Is know as a BBQ mesh. This platform base is more lightweight & compact whereas compared to the delivery rack with 4 handles.

Helmet

Let’s admit, if LTA did not mention that helmets are mandatory or that you may risk getting fined, most of us wouldn’t be wearing a helmet. However, it is better to be safe than sorry – so do wear one out, especially when you’re out on the road the whole day. On multiple group chats, there are stories that riders had to be hospitalised after getting injured while delivering food.

For helmets, you would be looking at one that is lightweight and well-ventilated. Helmets often range between $18 for an entry-level one, and $60 for the hardcore road cyclist.

Quick Release USB Lights

If you’re intending to catch the rush hour incentives from 5pm to 8pm, then front and rear lights are very important. You should make yourself visible to everyone sharing the road with you, be it on a shared path or on the road.

Bicycle Lock

One question I get a lot from my YouTube channel is “how/ where do you park your bicycle when you get the food from the malls?” 

Here’s the answer; I would park together with the rest of the riders outside the entrances of the shopping malls and how I would lock my ebike is just to simply lock the front wheels – however, locking the front wheels to the ebike body is recommended if you know that a certain merchant is going to take at least or more than 30 minutes. 

Additionally, Decathlon sells a heavy-duty U Lock, and if you give it some thought, just by the looks of it, it appears really strong and I guess no theft would even bother to try.

Signal Lights

Last but not least, signal lights. If the neighbourhood that you’re delivering to has 4 lane traffic, without a doubt, you should get a pair of rear signal lights so that fast incoming traffic would be able to understand your intention, slow down and give way to you.

Bicycle Pump

You’ll never need this equipment until the day that you need it! I would recommend that check your tyre pressure at least once a month to ensure the longevity of the battery throughout the day. For ebike riders, f you’re riding on a semi-flat tyre, your battery would run out faster than expected. For bicycle riders, you’ll be using more of your own energy!

Thermal Bag

The most important of them all would be your thermal bag! By default, the company that you’ve applied with, GrabFood, Foodpanda, Deliveroo, Zeek, Lalamove etc. would provide you with a thermal bag. However, for whatever personal reasons, you wish to use a third party black thermal bag, I’ll recommend that you use the MFC Magnetic Thermal bag, as not only is it magnetic, but it is also waterproof and very durable! Although prices start from $49, it is still value for money as it can last for a long time compared to Velcro-type thermal bags. 

Arm Socks

I am an outdoor person and I do not mind the sun, however, if you’re unlike me, not a fan of the sun, you should get yourself equipped with a pair of arm socks to protect from getting sunburned.