Marie Ravey on the bike courier business

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Summary

Known on Instagram under the pseudonym Une Particule, Marie Ravey is a bike courier in Lyon. At the age of 26, she chose to make cycling her career after discovering it by chance during her studies. In this episode, she talks about her journey, her daily life on two wheels and the reality of a profession that is still very much male-dominated.

From chance to passion

Nothing predestined Marie to spend her days pedaling. A student in digital communications, she was doing her end-of-studies internship with a bicycle repair company, with no previous experience and no real interest in the sport. ” Being surrounded by enthusiasts, I thought their business sounded pretty cool,” she says.

For her first vacation as a student, she chose to travel by bicycle, for lack of a budget. Ten days later and a thousand kilometers from Nantes to Carcassonne, the revelation was there. “I came home saying to myself: this is too good, I want to continue.

From a simple means of transport, cycling became a passion, then a vocation.

From communication to handlebars

After a few years working as a community manager, Marie came across a job advertisement for a bicycle courier in Lyon. With no great expectations, she took the chance and discovered a job that suited her perfectly.

What appeals to him most is the practical aspect: “You pick up a parcel at point A, deliver it to point B, and people are happy. It’s simple and rewarding.

But also the freedom to work outside: “I couldn’t stand spending my days cooped up behind a screen. Now I can see the sun, even in winter.

A physical and varied job

Each day begins with the dispatch department allocating deliveries, before the day’s shopping in Lyon begins. No two days are alike: “One day you’re delivering bread, the next lawyer’s files, and sometimes… fridges!”

Although some of the tasks are more demanding, such as transporting household appliances, Marie keeps smiling. The electric cargo bikes make work easier, and the rotation of tasks within the team avoids routine.

The greatest difficulty remains urban traffic: “You have to be on the alert at all times. Everyone has their own rules of the road, so you have to anticipate everything.”

Listening for the long haul

Marie works part-time to maintain the balance between work and pleasure. She continues to ride for herself, through her club in Lyon, but remains attentive to her recovery: “I listen to myself. If I’m tired, I don’t ride.

A woman in a man’s world

In her company of around twenty people, there are only two women. This is still a rare situation in the courier world, but Marie doesn’t see it as an obstacle. “The environment is very open. I’ve never been made to feel different.”

When she was hired, her boss warned her: “We won’t make any difference between you and the others.” A mindset she shares: “I want the same requirements as the others, not special treatment.”

Encouraging other women to take the plunge

To those who hesitate, Marie has a clear message: “Trust yourself. Men don’t work any better than you do. And if you need help, people will help you.”

With her frank tone and infectious enthusiasm, she hopes to show that this profession is accessible to all: “You just have to try it. If you like it, great. And if you don’t like it, at least you’ll know.”

Cycling as a common thread

In parallel, Marie now hosts her own podcast, Pignon Particulier, where she gives a voice to ordinary cyclists to share their singular stories.

A new way for her to celebrate cycling in all its forms: travel, leisure, work or simply the pleasure of pedaling.

“You can do a lot with a bike. And above all, you can invent your own way of living it.”

Follow Marie

• Marie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uneparticule/
• Instagram of his podcast: https://www.instagram.com/pignonparticulier/