How to carry drinks on a bike during delivery

One of the greatest challenges many delivery riders face is how to deliver drinks without spilling.

Whether it’s coffee, smoothies, or sodas, there’s always a risk of losing balance or compromising the quality of the drinks by the time you reach the customer.

This is especially true for delivery riders on bikes and e-bikes, as these are considered less stable than cars.

From talking to fellow riders, it’s clear that this task comes with unique challenges, but it's more than manageable with the right tools and techniques, including a great e-bike.

How to carry drinks on a bike during delivery

Choose the right equipment

One of the best pieces of advice an experienced delivery rider can give to beginners is to invest in proper gear.

Sure, basic drink holders are enough for one drink, but if you carry larger orders, you require more specialized carriers.

They could allow you to carry up to 6 cups of beverages in one holder.

For carrying drinks that need to stay hot or cold, it’s a good idea to get insulated delivery bags with compartments explicitly designed for drinks.

Backpacks designed for food delivery are also a good idea. Whizz has a high-quality backpack with insulating features and waterproof zippers that ensure all the ice teas and coffees arrive at just the proper temperatures.

Proper placement

Making sure your drinks are in balance is essential for safe deliveries.

Drinks should be positioned centrally on the bike or on your back to avoid throwing off your balance. If you carry more than one drink, try to distribute the weight evenly on both sides of your bike.

Another tip is to avoid overloading your e-bike when you know you’re about to carry drinks.

If you carry a heavy delivery, steering can become difficult, increasing the chances of accidents. Instead, take several smaller orders.

Insulation is the key

No one wants to receive a warm soda or a lukewarm coffee, so keeping drinks at the right temperature is just as important as ensuring they don’t spill. For this, you’ll need to know how to carry drinks in a bag.

Experienced riders swear by insulated bags with separate compartments. Some riders even use a smaller cooler for iced drinks, especially during hot summer days.

If you’re carrying hot beverages, it’s okay to simply wrap them in an extra layer of insulation, such as a small thermal cup holder or inside the sleeve of the bag.

While this will add a bit of bulk and might decrease the number of orders you can carry, it will significantly improve customer satisfaction.

Ride smoothly

Sure, delivering your orders quickly is important, but it’s just as important to ride smoothly so you don’t spill your drinks.

Sudden stops or sharp turns are the main culprits of spills, so try to ride smoothly and anticipate stops or bumps in the road. Many riders use wider tires for better stability and traction, especially when riding through uneven roads.

Luckily, if you get a proper e-bike, this won’t be a huge issue. Storm-2 is a superior electric bike with puncture-proof wide tires that ensure a comfortable, bump-free ride.

Not only that, but it reaches a speed of 25 mph, so you’ll have safety and efficiency combined.

Conclusion

Carrying drinks while delivery riding is a daunting task that takes some practice, but it doesn’t take long to perfect.

Once you’ve learned how to carry drinks on a bike, you can consider yourself the master of the business.

Things get much easier with proper equipment, and this includes getting the right e-bike for the job.

Get in touch with Whizz to get the best delivery bike in NYC and beyond and to start earning money as a delivery rider today.

Related: Electric bike for delivery job

FAQs

How to hold a drink while biking?

Even if you’re not a delivery rider, holding a drink while biking is tricky. Maintaining control of your bike requires both hands, especially when navigating traffic, turns, or uneven roads.

As such, the best advice is to use a cup holder, one of the top 10 must-have accessories for e-bike delivery riders. This allows you to keep both hands on the handlebars, maintaining full control of your bike.

The key is to choose a cup holder that is sturdy and compatible with the size of your drink container.

Another option is to use bottles or mugs with a tightly sealed lid. These can be kept inside a regular bag without the risk of spillage. Even better if you have a backpack with a bottle holder!

How do you drink on a bike?

First, make sure the water bottle or the cup is easily accessible unless you want to stop riding your bike every time you need to take a sip.

Still, you should slow down when you realize you’re thirsty and reach for the bottle with one hand while keeping the other hand firmly on the handlebars. Make sure you’re riding on a smooth, straight section of the road so it’s easier to keep control.

After taking a sip, quickly return the bottle to its holder and refocus both hands on steering.

Many cyclists prefer using bottles with a nozzle or spout that can be opened with your mouth or a quick squeeze. This way, you don’t need to fiddle with caps or lids while moving, reducing distractions.

For hands-free hydration, some riders use hydration packs stored in a backpack, where the water bottle or bladder is kept on their back, with a tube for easy sipping.

Where do you put a bottle on a bike?

Most bikes and e-bikes come with pre-drilled holes on the down tube or the seat tube where you can mount the bottle cage. This is where most riders typically keep a water battle.

If you’re just taking a quick ride, a bike cup holder placed on the handlebars should be enough. Handlebar-mounted cup holders are designed to securely hold cups, bottles, or cans, so you can reach them without taking your eyes off the road.

Some riders also opt to mount cup holders on the stem or the top tube of the bike. These locations are more stable, but slightly less convenient compared to the handlebar position.

Another option for carrying bottles is bike bags, such as a frame bag, which can be mounted inside the frame triangle. You can even use rear panniers or handlebar bags if you don’t want to keep anything on the mainframe area.