A takeaway delivery worker is going down a storm on Twitter for snapping stunning pictures from all around Glasgow on his bike.
The business owner, who operates under the alias Glasgow Deliveroo Rider, took up the job as a favour to get his teenage son £100 referral fee back in 2017 – and he loved it so much he stayed on.
The dad-of-two has gained thousands of followers after sharing photos of the sights he comes across during his shifts – from tiled closes and murals to sunsets on quiet streets and unusual buildings.
He said the best part of the job is getting into places that people normally don’t get to see – capturing a secret rooftop garden in Buchanan Street, sun shining through the foyer of the Commonwealth village flats and the jaw-dropping stain-glassed window in Queen’s Park Church.
His on-the-go photography has even earned him the nickname “Banksy On A Bike.”
The Glasgow Deliveroo rider said he has been overwhelmed by the response on social media – and loves bringing a bit of light and positivity into people’s feeds.
“I’ve had great support from people. I think people like that it’s so positive. People are telling me I should crowdfund for a coffee book!
"I’m kind of amazed at the response – one photo of tiles got more than 3000 likes. I don’t understand why it’s so popular. I wonder if lockdown has sent everyone a bit mad.
“I feel like I look at the world through a lens – it’s a part of me. I’ve taken pictures all my life, though I started out on film.
“I like the idea of finding something different, stuff people haven’t seen before. You miss a lot when you drive around, or take a set route. This takes me all over the place.”
The snap-happy rider, who wants to remain anonymous, works around 12 hours a week in his side job to claw in some extra cash and get out and about during lockdown.
He told how he endured a gruelling six month battle with long covid last year before getting straight back on the saddle.
“I was a complete zombie. I was floored, with no energy," he said. "I had probably overdone it, to be honest. But I feel incredibly blessed to be able to return to it after that.”
He added: “I’m a bit older – I don’t depend on this to survive. But it’s such a buzz. I love it.
"I love getting away from my screen and cycling, seeing parts of the city you’d never usually go to and meeting new people. It’s like going on a mission. And people are so happy to see you arrive with their food, of course!
“Sometimes you get people who will give you a high-five as you cycle past them and shout ‘Deliveroo! That sounds great in a Glaswegian accent.’
“There is definitely an affinity with people in the service industry too – the staff at the restaurants are so wonderful and helpful.”
His favourite pictures are the spontaneous kind; a picture of a man drinking coffee alone on an eerily quiet Wellington Street. He also held his phone over a fence of the Greyfriars Garden to see what was on the other side, where plants and flowers flourished "oblivious during the months of lockdown."
He also braved the wintry elements to take some pictures of Royal Exchange Square, Kelvingrove Park and even the Tetris film set in the snow in February.
“During lockdown, it seemed that everything around me had ground to a halt but I just kept going on my bike.
“I am starting to feel the pressure, thinking ‘What’s the next picture going to be?’ But if I like what I see, if no one else likes it, it doesn’t matter. I feel like I'm bringing a smile to people's faces – delivering food and sharing pictures. I love what I do."
Follow @RiderGlasgow on Twitter.
