Motorcyclists, delivery bikers most vulnerable on UAE roads: Experts

Top Stories

Motorcyclists, delivery bikers most vulnerable on UAE roads: Experts

Food delivery bikers face work-related risks every time they hit the road and many of them have reported suffering injuries in the line of duty.

by

Angel Tesorero

  • Follow us on
  • google-news
  • whatsapp
  • telegram

Published: Fri 4 Jan 2019, 11:00 PM

Last updated: Sat 5 Jan 2019, 3:45 PM

It is always easy in Dubai to get food delivered at your home. Just dial the number or open the app, and your meal will be on the table in a jiffy. But take note: The people who deliver your food have a big concern. They face work-related risks every time they hit the road and many of them have reported suffering injuries in the line of duty.
According to road safety experts, motorcyclists are the most vulnerable on UAE roads and here are the reasons why: A survey conducted by RoadSafetyUAE revealed that eight out of 10 motorists don't use their indicators when changing lanes, making it difficult for motorcycle riders to anticipate their moves.
Moreover, eight out of 10 motorists cut in front or behind motorcycle riders while 68 per cent of motorists (drivers of sedans, SUVs, vans, trucks, etc.) are inconsiderate and don't seem to see motorcyclists properly on the roads and 56 per cent of motorcycle riders themselves drive recklessly and dangerously.
Back in 2017, when RoadSafetyUAE first conducted its motorcycle safety survey, 17 motorcycle riders were killed in 122 accidents that took place on Dubai roads alone, according to the Dubai Police. There was a significant decline in the number of deaths as compared to 2016, when 824 motorbike traffic accidents happened, resulting in 26 fatalities.
While in Abu Dhabi, authorities said that from 2013-2018, motorcycles were involved in 682 accidents, resulting in 42 fatalities.
Also in 2017, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) in Dubai introduced regulations to reduce delivery motorbike accidents, including not allowing pillion riders on the bike and ensuring that reflector strips were attached to the bikes.
There were also specific restrictions on the dimensions of storage boxes on motorbikes that should not be more than 50x50x50cm in size.
"It's very worthwhile that we highlight the continuing risks to motorcyclists, in particular delivery riders, as we are in 2019 and with only one year to go till the eyes of the world are on Dubai," Ian Littlefield, training and quality manager at Dubai Driving Centre, told Khaleej Times.
"We have ambitious casualty reduction targets in Dubai and addressing the risk to our most vulnerable road users is a key step in achieving them. Our approach needs to be three-fold (involving the public, employers and riders) in dealing with the perceptions and behaviours of the general public, the delivery companies and the riders themselves," he added.
Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, added: "We want to raise awareness. The results (of the survey) provide a clear call to action. Drivers in cars and heavy vehicles should show a respectful and caring attitude towards delivery riders,"
Another pressing issue, Edelmann underlined is the level of customer awareness on road safety. According to motorcycle delivery riders, only 57 per cent of their customers would "understand" if they are running a bit late and only 51 per cent of the customers are "concerned" about their safety.
Because of this, 56 per cent of motorcycle riders tend to drive recklessly and dangerously.
"Safety must be the number one concern, also for customers awaiting their food or other deliverables. We found the riders' perceptions quite shocking," Edelmann explained.
He added: "Riders say they felt being under pressure to get the food delivered on time or else they get the wrath of irate customers. They believe that customers are only interested in getting their food as quickly as possible and are not concerned with the safety of the riders. If a delivery rider believes a customer will be upset if their food is not delivered in time, they will be tempted to break the rules."
Edelmann emphasised that the attitude of customers also has to change when it comes to the safety of delivery motorbike riders.
"We want to raise awareness and make safety the number one concern for the riders and also for customers awaiting their food or other deliverables. Let us remember that there is just no steel around the delivery riders to protect them and we see a growing number of them on UAE's roads," he said.
So, the next time you order for delivery, make sure that you also consider the rider's safety.
angel@khaleejtimes.com

What has to be done?
Road safety experts Ian Littlefield, training and quality manager at Dubai Driving Centre, and Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE, have come up with the following recommendations for the safety of motorcyclists.
Enforcement and Legal Framework:
> Protective gear seems to be an issue and the authorities should implement mandatory levels and enforce them.
> Enforcement overall seems to be an issue with rider behaviour, bike service levels and the mentioned protective gear. Focus enforcement initiatives in key concentration areas could be considered.
Public
> Educational efforts/campaigns must be directed at motorists in cars and heavy vehicles to show a respectful and caring attitude towards delivery riders.
> Educate customers by raising their awareness and creating a caring attitude for rider safety. Safety must be the number one concern, also for customers awaiting their food or other deliverables
> Raise public awareness of the vulnerability of motorcyclists through targeted publicity and awareness campaigns in key locations, such as shopping areas, where there is a predominance of these riders and their customers. We could
also encourage any company that uses delivery riders to make their customers aware of the dangers faced by the riders and talk to motorcycle dealers
about promoting safe riding
> Consider free workshops in universities and colleges to raise awareness amongst newer drivers concerning vulnerable road users and make them aware of precautions needed to safeguard them
For employers
> Offer free awareness workshops to companies that employ delivery riders and encourage them to make defensive rider training courses part of their induction and ongoing training
> Offer free equipment checks for companies to make sure that the equipment they give to their riders meet international standards in cooperation with the Dubai
Police
> Companies should be encouraged to think about delivery schedules and ensure that they are conducive to public and rider safety
Riders
> Deliver free awareness training for riders through their companies or individually and strengthen the messages given to those taking bike licence acquisition courses who hope to become delivery riders
> Take a multi-agency multi-platform approach gives a chance of making an impact in this key area. Develop a programme of events that can impact negative outcomes for motorcyclists. Motorcyclists should take responsibility for their own safety, but every motorist should be aware and has to have a moral duty to safeguard those more vulnerable than ourselves
angel@khaleejtimes.com



More news from