DeliveryRiders – Staying safe on two wheels: Road safety and prevention potential in the work of delivery riders

What is it about?

The DeliveryRiders project is a survey study on the traffic safety of delivery cyclists. As part of the project, we are working with traffic safety experts and riders to develop an online survey to examine various aspects of traffic safety for delivery cyclists. Among other things, we are researching accidents, critical incidents, work-related risk factors, individual risk factors, and prevention potential.

What is the background?

The majority of food deliveries are made by bicycle, which benefits the climate and supports sustainable urban transport policy. At the same time, working in everyday traffic poses considerable risks for the riders themselves. Riders often work under high time pressure, are particularly exposed to mixed urban traffic, and may or may not be provided with adequate safety equipment. International studies indicate an increased risk of accidents for this occupational group. However, the scientific data available for Germany is still very limited. The results of the survey will serve as a basis for prevention work and thus contribute to increasing the traffic safety of riders.

How can I participate?

Do you deliver goods by bicycle?
Help us by answering our survey on this topic: https://tud.link/ras2gz, and feel free to share the link with your colleagues!

Click here to receive updates

What are key findings of the project?

Link to the final report: https://www.dvr.de/mediencenter/publikationen/sicher-unterwegs-auf-zwei-raedern/

Click here for the slides of the presentation of results in Berlin

Key Take-Aways:

• Crash rate: On average, 0.91 crashes per rider within 12 months, equivalent to 910 crashes per 1,000 riders
• The early phase of employment is a critical period with elevated crash risk: lack of routine coincides with high exposure
• Most crashes are single-vehicle incidents related to weather and infrastructure factors, particularly slippery surfaces, tram tracks, and uneven road conditions
• Riders who did not grow up in Germany are especially vulnerable, due to limited cycling socialization and often precarious living conditions
• Slightly more than every second crash results in injury to a rider (0.57 injuries per crash)
• Injuries mainly affect the limbs, yet protective equipment is rarely worn, except for helmets
• Significant predictors of more frequent crashes include: adverse weather conditions or darkness, limited cycling socialization during childhood and adolescence, having grown up outside Germany, younger age
• Discrepancy between riders' high self-assessed knowledge of traffic rules and their widespread fear of making mistakes, especially among riders who did not grow up in Germany
• Among riders who did not require extended sick leave, 52.5 % did not report the crash to their employer
• There is demand and interest in digital short-format content (videos, social media), but not in practical training programs

Where can I find more information?

If you would like to know more or have any questions, please contact Dipl.-Psych. Juliane Anke or M.Sc. Simon Heintzen.

The project is funded by the German Road Safety Council (DVR). As a non-profit organization, the DVR is committed to improving road safety. For more information, visit www.dvr.de.