Last week, Dr Scott Arthur, MP for Edinburgh South West, pressed both delivery companies and the UK Government for action on the dangerous or illegal use of bikes or e-bikes by delivery riders.  

In letters to Just Eat, Uber Eats and Deliveroo, Dr Arthur asked companies what measures are in place to assess the safety and legality of the vehicles riders used and urged the companies to take greater action to reduce dangerous riding.  

In their response, Just Eat stated that without specific rider details, including order numbers and riders’ names, the company is unable to take any actions against dangerous riders. Dr Arthur has now written a follow up letter pressing for an answer as to why GPS technology used by Just Eat cannot be used to check riders’ speeds and location.  

He is awaiting responses from Uber Eats and Deliveroo.  

Dr Arthur has also put this question to the UK Government. In a question to Lilian Greenwood, Minister for Local Transport, he asked what actions the UK Government is taking to hold delivery companies to account and ensure only legal e-bikes are used for food delivery.  

In her response, the Minister said the Department for Transport had previously written to delivery companies, urging them to take greater action. She also announced that as part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy, there are plans to pilot a National Work-Related Road Safety Charter for businesses that require people to ride or drive for them. She will strongly encourage delivery companies to sign up to this charter.   

These concerns were raised in light of a community meeting on the dangerous or illegal use of bikes, e-bikes or trail bikes held by Dr Arthur in October. At the meeting, co-hosted by Scottish Labour Holyrood candidate Catriona Munro, residents shared their concerns about motorcycle theft, pedestrian safety, and anti-social behaviour on trail bikes.  

Dr Arthur said 
Constituents regularly tell me of incidents they have observed with dangerous or excessively fast travel by food delivery riders, using both legal and illegally modified e-bikes. It is disappointing that food delivery companies are not willing to take the necessary steps to ensure the safety of the public and their riders.  

The notion that members of the public should provide the rider’s name or an order number to lodge a complaint is laughable. They are being passive, when they could be taking steps to ensure the safety of riders and the public. 

Many residents of Edinburgh South West are concerned that these workers are being exploited and that the companies’ business model may depend on the use of illegal e-bikes. 

I welcome the UK Government’s commitment to tackling this serious issue and look forward to seeing the National Work-Related Road Safety Charter as part of the Government’s landmark Road Safety Strategy.  

Catriona Munro said  
I, too, welcome the UK Government’s steps to address the issue. Given the understandable public concern, it is disappointing that the Scottish Government has not taken steps to ensure Police Scotland have the resources to the tackle the impact of dangerous e-bikes.  

When Dr Arthur and I met representatives of Police Scotland last year, it was clear that they were keen to do more but needed greater training and resources for this to be possible.  

ENDS  

Link to Dr Arthur’s Oral Question – Hansard.