Affordable e-bikes are transforming delivery work for Latin American migrants

For immigrant delivery workers in Colombia, affordable e-bikes — financed by start-ups like Guajira — are proving to be a game-changer, offering a faster, cleaner, and more cost-effective alternative to motorbikes.

Mariel Lozada reports for Reasons To Be Cheerful.

In short:

• Many Venezuelan migrants in Colombia rely on app-based delivery work, but traditional motorbikes come with high fuel and maintenance costs. Start-ups like Guajira provide financing for locally made e-bikes, helping workers transition to a more affordable and eco-friendly alternative.
• E-bikes allow couriers to complete more deliveries with less physical strain while reducing emissions. Riders can lease or finance bikes through microloans, enabling workers without credit histories to access affordable transportation.
• Other organizations, like Nippy, are expanding services across Latin America to support gig workers with financing, insurance, and access to community spaces, highlighting the growing push for better conditions in the gig economy.

Key quote:

“For immigrants, a bike is something very noble — it is a tool that helps you get out of the difficult socioeconomic circle that any person who migrates and who leaves their country in complex conditions has.”

— Fernanda Rivera, mobility expert

Why this matters:

Affordable, clean e-bikes are reshaping the gig economy, giving delivery workers better tools, insurance, and even community spaces — things the tech giants behind these platforms rarely offer. As governments consider stronger labor protections, start-ups like Guajira and Nippy are stepping in to fill critical gaps in economic mobility and worker support while reducing pollution.

Read more: Another road is possible