Inside the Paris hub offering sanctuary to city's army of delivery riders
As UberEats and Deliveroo prepare for EU-mandated payment reforms to better protect their delivery riders, a Paris community centre is already offering support and a safe haven to workers battling tough conditions.
The Maison des Coursiers ("Riders' House"), located in a former EDF utility building, has become a refuge for the city's food delivery cyclists – providing them with free legal and admin services, as well as practical amenities.
"There's a large room where riders wait. There's coffee, tea and food available. There's a microwave, toilets, plugs for charging phones or batteries," Circé Lienart, who has coordinated the Maison des Coursiers since its opening in 2021, told RFI.
"We're right on Boulevard Barbès [a main thoroughfare in the north of Paris], making it easy for riders to come and also keep their bikes secure."
For many delivery workers battling harsh weather conditions and long hours, the space provides welcome relief.
"We sometimes come here to take time out, stay warm, especially in cold weather, enjoy a coffee," said one.
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Health concerns
Paid per delivery and earning well below the minimum wage, the cyclists face significant risks.
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