While modern office computing technologies have reduced the need for traditional bicycle messengers, many cities have witnessed a growth in bicycle workers in recent years. If technology reduces the need for document delivery, it has enabled the creation of 'gig economy' platforms linking consumers to businesses via bicycle deliveries (e.g. UberEATS, Deliveroo). Meanwhile, young entrepreneurs, autonomous workers and traditional organizations provide a diversifying range of products and services delivered through the use of bicycles. Logistic firms have also started using cargo bicycles to cover the last miles of long haul freight. However, little is known about the workforce, its diversity, characteristics, organization and occupational risks. While some research has been conducted on traditional bicycle messengers, the breadth of paid activities carried out using bicycles has grown considerably and should be documented. The aim of this project was to draw a portrait of the variety of employment using bicycles and to assess the risk factors involved in these different jobs. In order to gain a more complete knowledge of bicyclist workers and the varied forms their work can take, we fielded an online survey on the health, safety and work organization of various types of cyclist workers. Our objective in this presentation is to compare respondents in different categories of employment on risk taking behaviour, quasi accidents and history of accidents while working. We deployed a online survey between July 2017 and May 2018. Recruitment was done via social networks, through a snowballing approach starting with participants to an interview based qualitative inquiry, and through invitation via flyer distribution in industry events and on the streets. Survey items were developed based on existing literature and preliminary results from qualitative interviews. Our analytical framework is based on the hypothesized interplay between behaviour traits, employment characteristics and work environment (perception of road safety, territory covered). Recruitment was conducted first in Montreal, Canada and then more generally in English and French-speaking countries around the world. Preliminary results from the survey show large variations in workers' experiences based on types of work and types of vehicle used. There is considerable heterogeneity within and between groups of activities but relative homogeneity between workers in sampled countries. We explore the advantages and pitfalls of various strategies to recruit and administer surveys. Media coverage and social media discussion topics were studied to identify potential motivators to participation. While the combined use of various strategies enabled the creation of a reasonable sized sample, obtaining a representative sample of this small, fluctuating and hard to reach population may be unachievable. Urban areas are experiencing a growth in multiple types of economic activities using bicycles. The growth of this industry is in a sense an indication that policies to promote bicycle safety have had the impact of making cycling more attractive not only as a mode of transport, but as a potential work tool. Small-scale local entrepreneurial projects should be considered separately from large-scale platforms using commission-based pay structure.<\/p>\n
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