Food delivery cyclists are less likely to run red lights and more often wear a bicycle helmet than private cyclists, according to a new report from the SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research.
The study also found that those cyclists are more likely to have a mobile phone visible, usually mounted on their bike, but don’t operate it more often than private bike riders.
SWOV said in the Netherlands food delivery riders have acquired a negative reputation in the media, based on frequent reports of reckless riding behavior and high crash involvement.
SWOV researchers carried out studies between 2022 and 2024 into food delivery riders using electric bicycles.
The research found no evidence that delivery cyclists face a higher crash risk, or that they are more frequently involved in conflicts, or risky traffic behaviors than private cyclists.
However, studies found compared to private cyclists, delivery cyclists spend more time in traffic and are therefore more frequently involved in crashes.
Researcher said delivery work should be made as safe as possible and highlighted the role of employers who they said could promote safe behaviors by, for example, encouraging helmet use and avoiding the imposition of strict time limits.
