A high demand for fast food delivery has led to a large number of couriers in big cities. This has raised concerns because these couriers often ride scooters, motorcycles, and mopeds through traffic and sometimes even on sidewalks crowded with pedestrians, all to quickly deliver meals like salads and sandwiches.
To address these issues, officials in cities such as Boston, New York, and Washington, D.C., are taking action against delivery companies. They are sending warning letters, seizing vehicles that are not properly registered or driven legally, and increasing street patrols to enforce speed limits. Similar crackdowns have also been seen in London and other cities in Britain.
Delivery companies like DoorDash, Grubhub, and Uber have promised to cooperate with city officials to ensure that their drivers operate legally and safely.
In a recent letter to these companies, Boston officials highlighted a concerning rise in the illegal and risky use of motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters.
A delivery guy on his scooter (Via Randy Simmons/Shutterstock)
They pointed out instances of drivers using unregistered vehicles and breaking traffic laws, which they said endanger drivers, other motorists, and pedestrians. The city demanded that the companies explain how they will ensure their drivers operate safely.
In Massachusetts, state police have identified numerous improperly registered mopeds and scooters, seizing fourteen in one Boston neighborhood alone. Meanwhile, in New York City, authorities have already seized 13,000 scooters and mopeds this year, and recently destroyed over 200 illegal vehicles. In Washington, D.C., police launched Operation Ride Right to enforce laws for two-wheeled vehicle drivers, resulting in arrests and impounded mopeds.
The efforts in these cities reflect growing concerns about the safety and legality of food delivery operations using motorized vehicles.
