Almost half of people using food delivery apps think companies could do more to protect their motorcycle riders, while 80 per cent would rather food arrived late than have safety compromised on the roads.
A survey on public satisfaction of the delivery industry was completed by Road Safety UAE, in partnership with Al Wathba Insurance, asking 1,031 people in December for their views on motorcycle couriers.
It found that 58 per cent of people believed riders were well looked after by their employer, but fewer than half (46 per cent) thought delivery couriers were relaxed about their job. Significant changes in the industry have led to better safety, with improved training, mandatory protective equipment and rest stops during summer, but experts say more can be done.
We cannot stop deliveries, as it is an industry on its own, and a lifestyle - but strong action can be taken to improve safety
Saleh Jafar,
president of Yasa Gulf Road Safety
Motorcycle delivery has been a huge growth market, with more than 124,000 bikes registered in the UAE and 92,000 in Dubai alone, according to the Roads and Transport Authority. Research by RoadSafety UAE found a high satisfaction rate among customers, with 63 per cent of respondents telling the survey they use food delivery apps every day.
Of those asked, 85 per cent said deliveries usually arrived on time and within expectation. Meanwhile, 80 per cent were unconcerned if their delivery arrived two minutes late, and 64 per cent told the survey they would not have a problem if food arrived five minutes late.
However, most food delivery customers were sympathetic towards motorcycle riders, and their daily challenges on the road. “These numbers underline the strong public acceptance of motorcycle deliveries and at the same time, a very high number of delivery customers are happy with the timeliness of the service,” said Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE.
“This is of fundamental importance from a road safety perspective. Considering advertised delivery times of 15 minutes and reported average delivery times of 28 minutes, two to five minutes more time for a delivery rider would mean a lot to them in terms of displaying a more safety-centric riding style. It is important for the well-known delivery brands and their riders to be aware of these customer statements.”
Almost two thirds tip riders
The generosity of customers was also reflected in survey results, as 62 per cent said they tipped their rider. And when asked about the interaction of road users with delivery riders, 44 per cent said delivery riders seemed to be in a hurry, but fewer than one in four said delivery riders drove aggressively or were a nuisance on the roads.
“We wanted to elevate the discussion about the behaviour of motorcycle riders from anecdotal evidence to a fact-based and well researched approach,” said Muralikrishnan Raman, chief financial officer at Al Wathba Insurance. “We are a very analytical and numbers-based organisation and we saw it within our corporate DNA to team up with RoadSafetyUAE to jointly work on this highly debated area, as the convenient delivery by motorcycle became part of our everyday life and we all can relate to it one way or another.”
Convenience and technology have combined to contribute to a global shift in the way people eat meals. In 2021, Deloitte research tracked the growing appeal of food deliveries in the US, with the 2020 figure of 53 per cent of people preferring to order food online rising to 64 per cent in 2021.
The surging success of food delivery platforms was mirrored in the largest Gulf technology IPO launch in 2024 of Talabat Holding, the Middle East division of Germany’s Delivery Hero, raising Dh7.5 billion ($2.04 billion) through stock shares. Typically, delivery riders are paid per drop, adding pressures to make as many as possible within shift patterns to maximise profits. Regional road safety experts said increasing delivery fees or paying a basic salary could help reduce risk-taking on the roads.
“This is issue is a long-running debate, as food delivery in Dubai has grown out of proportion with many companies eager to increase their profits,” said Saleh Jafar, president of Yasa Gulf Road Safety, a think tank focused on injury prevention and education campaigns.
“The circumstances of the drivers have always been a big concern across the country, and remains so irrespective of any new research. We must increase the fee for the drivers, as they remain very low, and that's why they are always in a hurry to deliver as many orders as they can.”
Mr Jafar said zoned areas, with more restrictions on where restaurants can deliver, could reduce the number of accidents involving delivery riders. Dark kitchens, or cloud kitchens, have gone some way to addressing those concerns.
The highly efficient production units do not have a storefront, so are optimised for delivery and located in areas with easy access to multiple residential districts. But as Dubai continues to grow at pace, Mr Jafar said more could still be done to reduce the distance riders have to travel.
“If you are in Barsha, you should only be able to order food from restaurants in Barsha,” he said. “This would mean delivery riders would not be able to collect food from restaurants in City Walk and put a driver through a 30 minute drive on Sheikh Zayed Road, for example.
“We cannot stop deliveries, as it is an industry on its own, and a lifestyle – but strong action can be taken to improve safety.”
Delivery rider deaths
Of all UAE road accidents recorded in 2023, there were 42 deaths involving motorcycle riders, and a further 1,020 recorded injuries, according to the Ministry of Interior. At Saudi German Hospital on Sheikh Zayed Road, doctors say they are treating up to 20 motorcycle delivery riders every month.
“This is the normal rate every month,” said Dr Ahmed Kamal Makhlouf, an intensive care specialist at the hospital. “Mostly these delivery boys are having treatment for brain injuries, but also for long bone damage, so in their legs and arms. Of these 15 or 20 cases we get each month, two or three will die.”
A senior figure from food delivery firm Deliveroo said the well-being of “our riders, customers and partners” is at the heart of everything the company does. "We continuously work closely with local authorities to introduce initiatives to enhance road safety and rider support," said Yazan Aburaqabeh, director of operations at Deliveroo Middle East.
"Our efforts include comprehensive onboarding practical and theoretical safety training, improved protective gear, and partnerships with restaurants to provide resting stations and refreshments to riders." The company also provides cooling vests and breathable uniforms to riders during the hot summer months, he added.
The National also contacted food delivery firms Careem and Talabat but neither company issued a statement.
Ways to control drones
Countries have been coming up with ways to restrict and monitor the use of non-commercial drones to keep them from trespassing on controlled areas such as airports.
"Drones vary in size and some can be as big as a small city car - so imagine the impact of one hitting an airplane. It's a huge risk, especially when commercial airliners are not designed to make or take sudden evasive manoeuvres like drones can" says Saj Ahmed, chief analyst at London-based StrategicAero Research.
New measures have now been taken to monitor drone activity, Geo-fencing technology is one.
It's a method designed to prevent drones from drifting into banned areas. The technology uses GPS location signals to stop its machines flying close to airports and other restricted zones.
The European commission has recently announced a blueprint to make drone use in low-level airspace safe, secure and environmentally friendly. This process is called “U-Space” – it covers altitudes of up to 150 metres. It is also noteworthy that that UK Civil Aviation Authority recommends drones to be flown at no higher than 400ft. “U-Space” technology will be governed by a system similar to air traffic control management, which will be automated using tools like geo-fencing.
The UAE has drawn serious measures to ensure users register their devices under strict new laws. Authorities have urged that users must obtain approval in advance before flying the drones, non registered drone use in Dubai will result in a fine of up to twenty thousand dirhams under a new resolution approved by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai.
Mr Ahmad suggest that "Hefty fines running into hundreds of thousands of dollars need to compensate for the cost of airport disruption and flight diversions to lengthy jail spells, confiscation of travel rights and use of drones for a lengthy period" must be enforced in order to reduce airport intrusion.
Total eligible population
About 57.5 million people
51.1 million received a jab
6.4 million have not
Where are the unvaccinated?
England 11%
Scotland 9%
Wales 10%
Northern Ireland 14%
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
1,000 Books to Read Before You Die: A Life-Changing List
James Mustich, Workman
Four reasons global stock markets are falling right now
There are many factors worrying investors right now and triggering a rush out of stock markets. Here are four of the biggest:
1. Rising US interest rates
The US Federal Reserve has increased interest rates three times this year in a bid to prevent its buoyant economy from overheating. They now stand at between 2 and 2.25 per cent and markets are pencilling in three more rises next year.
Kim Catechis, manager of the Legg Mason Martin Currie Global Emerging Markets Fund, says US inflation is rising and the Fed will continue to raise rates in 2019. “With inflationary pressures growing, an increasing number of corporates are guiding profitability expectations downwards for 2018 and 2019, citing the negative impact of rising costs.”
At the same time as rates are rising, central bankers in the US and Europe have been ending quantitative easing, bringing the era of cheap money to an end.
2. Stronger dollar
High US rates have driven up the value of the dollar and bond yields, and this is putting pressure on emerging market countries that took advantage of low interest rates to run up trillions in dollar-denominated debt. They have also suffered capital outflows as international investors have switched to the US, driving markets lower. Omar Negyal, portfolio manager of the JP Morgan Global Emerging Markets Income Trust, says this looks like a buying opportunity. “Despite short-term volatility we remain positive about long-term prospects and profitability for emerging markets.”
3. Global trade war
Ritu Vohora, investment director at fund manager M&G, says markets fear that US President Donald Trump’s spat with China will escalate into a full-blown global trade war, with both sides suffering. “The US economy is robust enough to absorb higher input costs now, but this may not be the case as tariffs escalate. However, with a host of factors hitting investor sentiment, this is becoming a stock picker’s market.”
4. Eurozone uncertainty
Europe faces two challenges right now in the shape of Brexit and the new populist government in eurozone member Italy.
Chris Beauchamp, chief market analyst at IG, which has offices in Dubai, says the stand-off between between Rome and Brussels threatens to become much more serious. "As with Brexit, neither side appears willing to step back from the edge, threatening more trouble down the line.”
The European economy may also be slowing, Mr Beauchamp warns. “A four-year low in eurozone manufacturing confidence highlights the fact that producers see a bumpy road ahead, with US-EU trade talks remaining a major question-mark for exporters.”
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The specs: 2018 Nissan 370Z Nismo
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