Food delivery riders targeted by new road safety charter

Transport for London (TfL) has developed a road safety charter aimed at food delivery riders in the capital.

Five companies – Deliveroo, Getir, Just Eat, Stuart and Uber Eats – have already signed-up to the new voluntary Meal and Grocery Delivery Company Motorcycle Road Safety Charter, which consists of 10 road safety principles that aim to keep motorcycle couriers and other Londoners safe on the road.

In London, people riding motorcycles, mopeds and scooters represent only 2.6% of vehicle kilometres driven, but tragically accounted for around 27% of deaths and serious injuries from 2017-2021.

On average, around 30 people are killed and 1,000 people seriously injured riding motorcycles in London per year, with the most frequently injured being riders on low-powered motorbikes (below 125cc) and scooters who are riding on L-plates.

TfL is working in partnership with the meal and grocery delivery industry to improve safety for riders and other road users, and to drive down these incidents. 

Lilli Matson, TfL’s chief safety health and environment officer, said: “There has been a significant rise in motorcycle deliveries over the past few years and this cannot come at the expense of safety.

“People are tragically losing their lives in avoidable motorcycle collisions, which all too often also injure or kill other road users.

“This is why we’re working closely with delivery, courier and servicing companies to address these sources of road danger and protect the lives of riders and everyone else on London's streets.” 

She added: “We’re really pleased to have secured the backing of some of the biggest names in the sector for our charter, who recognise the part they can play in helping to create safer roads for everyone.”  

Road safety principles set out by the charter include: a commitment to Vision Zero and eradicating deaths and serious injuries from London’s roads; ensuring couriers meet the legal requirements for working and riding in the UK; supporting couriers in understanding how to ride safely and within the law; and supporting couriers to ensure that vehicles are legally compliant and roadworthy.

As well as providing a set of principles that meal and grocery delivery companies can commit to, to help improve the safety of riders, the charter also represents an important step in raising awareness of motorcycle rider safety and what can be done to improve standards. 

Karthik Harith, general manager for Getir in the UK, said: "We take safety very seriously at Getir. That's why all of our couriers receive paid training, PPE and sensible targets to ensure that they are as safe on the roads as possible. 

“We are proud to support this charter as it will help improve safety for both couriers and other road users."

Claire Pointon, UK managing director for Just Eat, added: "We want to do all we can to keep them working safely within local communities.

“We're really pleased to be working alongside TfL with this charter to provide even more support for couriers delivering in London."

TfL has also asked meal and grocery delivery companies to attend TfL’s six-monthly Meal and Grocery Delivery Company Road Safety Forum. At the Forum, TfL and meal and grocery delivery companies will discuss progress around implementing the Charter, and new ideas to improve road safety.