Rider / Member-Owner — Job Spec

Closing Date: 01/10/2026

Role: Self-Employed Cargo Bike Courier & Cooperative Member
Location: Bristol
Type: Self-employed, member-owner (not an employee role)

About Pedal Collective

Pedal Collective is a worker-owned cargo bike courier cooperative based in Bristol. Our members are self-employed couriers who are also member-owners of the business with an equal vote in all key decisions. There are no managers or supervisors; we share responsibility for running the organisation, looking after customers, finding and delivering work, maintaining our bikes and equipment, and handling the day-to-day jobs that keep things moving.

What the Role Involves

• Collecting and delivering goods by cargo bike across Bristol, safely and reliably, in all weather conditions

• Communicating directly with customers, handling enquiries and resolving issues without a manager to escalate to

• Carrying out basic maintenance on your cargo bike and equipment, and flagging or fixing problems as they arise

• Taking on a share of the cooperative's non-delivery work: admin, answering enquiries, workshop upkeep, onboarding, or whatever else needs doing

• Strong attention to detail, whether that's making sure deliveries go to the right place, keeping accurate records, or spotting small problems before they become big ones. This is what sets us apart from other delivery busineses.

• Managing your own time, workload and priorities across a working day with no fixed instructions from above

• Participating in cooperative decision-making as a member-owner, including occasional meetings and votes on how the business is run

• Supporting fellow members and stepping in where needed, since the cooperative's smooth running depends on everyone pulling their weight

What We're Looking For

• Comfortable cycling for long periods and carrying loads, in all conditions

• Self-reliant and organised: able to plan your own day and stay accountable without supervision

• Proactive: you notice what needs doing and get on with it, rather than waiting to be told

• Practical: comfortable troubleshooting problems on the road with limited tools or support

• Good with customers and confident handling situations independently

• Willing to contribute to the less glamorous side of running a cooperative, not just the riding

• Genuinely interested in the cooperative model and comfortable with shared ownership and shared responsibility

• Some experience of self-employment is useful but not essential, provided you understand what it involves

Working Hours & Holiday

We work Monday to Friday. Hours vary from day to day depending on workload, so flexibility is important. All members are paid for holiday, but as this is a self-employed role, holiday is agreed collectively by the team during member meetings rather than booked through a manager.

Pay & Structure

As a member-owner, you are paid from the revenue you generate, net of the cooperative's running costs. We share workload evenly, so pay per rider is equal. We've found this to be very important for keeping the cooperative functioning as a genuine team rather than a group of people competing for the same jobs. It means members are motivated to support each other, share information about work and problems openly, and prioritise the cooperative's overall success rather than protecting their own patch. Because resources and costs are shared across the cooperative, individual overheads are generally lower than they would be working entirely alone.

Probationary Period

All new members join on a 3-month probationary period. During this time, you'll be supported to get up to speed with the role and the cooperative, and both you and the other members will have the chance to confirm it's a good fit before full membership is confirmed.

Before You Apply

This is not a conventional employed courier role. There is no manager organising your day, no fixed schedule handed to you, and success depends on how well you manage yourself and contribute to the wider cooperative. Full membership follows a 3-month probationary period. Please make sure you're comfortable with this model before applying.

We warmly welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and experiences. As a business operating in a traditionally male-dominated industry, we're keen to encourage greater diversity and create a more balanced, inclusive workplace. We believe different perspectives, experiences and ideas make our team stronger, and we'd love to hear from anyone who feels they could bring something valuable to our organisation.