Logistics / Operations
Pedalfleet
A fleet management platform for bicycle delivery services. Real-time rider tracking, route optimization, and dispatch automation for urban couriers.
Overview
Pedalfleet is fleet management software built for bicycle courier services. Dispatchers see all riders on a live map, assign deliveries, and track progress in real time. Riders use a mobile-optimized web app for navigation, proof of delivery, and earnings tracking. The platform handles route optimization, shift scheduling, and performance analytics.
The Problem
Bicycle delivery companies operate with thin margins and tight schedules. Most fleet management tools are built for trucking: GPS trackers, fuel management, CDL compliance. None of that applies to bike couriers. These companies run operations through WhatsApp groups, manual dispatch, and paper manifests. They need lightweight tools that work on phones, optimize routes for bike-friendly streets, and help dispatchers manage 20-50 riders in real time.
Approach
Real-time rider tracking with geofencing
Riders share their location through the browser's Geolocation API at 10-second intervals. The dispatch dashboard renders all active riders on a live map with color-coded status (available, en route, delivering). Geofences around pickup and dropoff locations trigger automatic status updates: when a rider enters the pickup zone, the order status changes to 'picked up' without manual input.
Route optimization for urban cycling
The routing engine uses OSRM with a custom bicycle profile that prefers bike lanes, avoids steep hills, and penalizes high-traffic roads. When a dispatcher assigns multiple deliveries to one rider, the engine calculates the optimal stop order. Re-routing happens automatically when new orders come in mid-shift.
Dispatch automation rules
Dispatchers define rules: assign to the nearest available rider, prefer riders who already have a pickup near the new order, balance load across the fleet. The automation engine evaluates these rules in real time and suggests assignments. Dispatchers can accept the suggestion with one tap or override manually.
Rider earnings and shift management
Riders see their earnings in real time: per-delivery fees, distance bonuses, and tips. The shift scheduling system handles availability windows, maximum hours, and break requirements. End-of-week payout reports generate automatically with per-delivery breakdowns.
Challenges
Battery-efficient location tracking on mobile
Continuous GPS tracking drains phone batteries fast. Implemented adaptive frequency: 10-second updates when the rider is moving, 60-second updates when stationary. The app also batches location updates and sends them when connectivity is available, handling dead zones gracefully.
Accurate ETAs on bicycle routes
Car-based ETAs don't work for bikes. Built a speed model trained on historical delivery data that accounts for rider fitness, weather conditions, and time of day (rush hour slows bike couriers too). ETA accuracy improved from +/- 8 minutes to +/- 3 minutes after calibration.
Results
Pedalfleet manages operations for 5 courier services across 3 cities, dispatching over 2,000 deliveries per week.
2,000+
Deliveries dispatched per week
5
Courier services on the platform
+/- 3min
ETA accuracy after calibration
Tech Stack
Leadership
- Designed the dispatch automation rules engine from requirements gathered with operations managers.
- Built the bicycle-specific routing profile that improved ETA accuracy by 60%.