Almost half of people using food delivery apps think companies could do more to protect their motorcycle riders, while 80 per cent would rather food arrived late than have safety compromised on the roads.
A survey on public satisfaction of the delivery industry was completed by Road Safety UAE, in partnership with Al Wathba Insurance, asking 1,031 people in December for their views on motorcycle couriers.
It found that 58 per cent of people believed riders were well looked after by their employer, but fewer than half (46 per cent) thought delivery couriers were relaxed about their job. Significant changes in the industry have led to better safety, with improved training, mandatory protective equipment and rest stops during summer, but experts say more can be done.
We cannot stop deliveries, as it is an industry on its own, and a lifestyle - but strong action can be taken to improve safety
Saleh Jafar,
president of Yasa Gulf Road Safety
Motorcycle delivery has been a huge growth market, with more than 124,000 bikes registered in the UAE and 92,000 in Dubai alone, according to the Roads and Transport Authority. Research by RoadSafety UAE found a high satisfaction rate among customers, with 63 per cent of respondents telling the survey they use food delivery apps every day.
Of those asked, 85 per cent said deliveries usually arrived on time and within expectation. Meanwhile, 80 per cent were unconcerned if their delivery arrived two minutes late, and 64 per cent told the survey they would not have a problem if food arrived five minutes late.
However, most food delivery customers were sympathetic towards motorcycle riders, and their daily challenges on the road. “These numbers underline the strong public acceptance of motorcycle deliveries and at the same time, a very high number of delivery customers are happy with the timeliness of the service,” said Thomas Edelmann, founder and managing director of RoadSafetyUAE.
“This is of fundamental importance from a road safety perspective. Considering advertised delivery times of 15 minutes and reported average delivery times of 28 minutes, two to five minutes more time for a delivery rider would mean a lot to them in terms of displaying a more safety-centric riding style. It is important for the well-known delivery brands and their riders to be aware of these customer statements.”
Almost two thirds tip riders
The generosity of customers was also reflected in survey results, as 62 per cent said they tipped their rider. And when asked about the interaction of road users with delivery riders, 44 per cent said delivery riders seemed to be in a hurry, but fewer than one in four said delivery riders drove aggressively or were a nuisance on the roads.
“We wanted to elevate the discussion about the behaviour of motorcycle riders from anecdotal evidence to a fact-based and well researched approach,” said Muralikrishnan Raman, chief financial officer at Al Wathba Insurance. “We are a very analytical and numbers-based organisation and we saw it within our corporate DNA to team up with RoadSafetyUAE to jointly work on this highly debated area, as the convenient delivery by motorcycle became part of our everyday life and we all can relate to it one way or another.”
Convenience and technology have combined to contribute to a global shift in the way people eat meals. In 2021, Deloitte research tracked the growing appeal of food deliveries in the US, with the 2020 figure of 53 per cent of people preferring to order food online rising to 64 per cent in 2021.
The surging success of food delivery platforms was mirrored in the largest Gulf technology IPO launch in 2024 of Talabat Holding, the Middle East division of Germany’s Delivery Hero, raising Dh7.5 billion ($2.04 billion) through stock shares. Typically, delivery riders are paid per drop, adding pressures to make as many as possible within shift patterns to maximise profits. Regional road safety experts said increasing delivery fees or paying a basic salary could help reduce risk-taking on the roads.
“This is issue is a long-running debate, as food delivery in Dubai has grown out of proportion with many companies eager to increase their profits,” said Saleh Jafar, president of Yasa Gulf Road Safety, a think tank focused on injury prevention and education campaigns.
“The circumstances of the drivers have always been a big concern across the country, and remains so irrespective of any new research. We must increase the fee for the drivers, as they remain very low, and that's why they are always in a hurry to deliver as many orders as they can.”
Mr Jafar said zoned areas, with more restrictions on where restaurants can deliver, could reduce the number of accidents involving delivery riders. Dark kitchens, or cloud kitchens, have gone some way to addressing those concerns.
The highly efficient production units do not have a storefront, so are optimised for delivery and located in areas with easy access to multiple residential districts. But as Dubai continues to grow at pace, Mr Jafar said more could still be done to reduce the distance riders have to travel.
“If you are in Barsha, you should only be able to order food from restaurants in Barsha,” he said. “This would mean delivery riders would not be able to collect food from restaurants in City Walk and put a driver through a 30 minute drive on Sheikh Zayed Road, for example.
“We cannot stop deliveries, as it is an industry on its own, and a lifestyle – but strong action can be taken to improve safety.”
Delivery rider deaths
Of all UAE road accidents recorded in 2023, there were 42 deaths involving motorcycle riders, and a further 1,020 recorded injuries, according to the Ministry of Interior. At Saudi German Hospital on Sheikh Zayed Road, doctors say they are treating up to 20 motorcycle delivery riders every month.
“This is the normal rate every month,” said Dr Ahmed Kamal Makhlouf, an intensive care specialist at the hospital. “Mostly these delivery boys are having treatment for brain injuries, but also for long bone damage, so in their legs and arms. Of these 15 or 20 cases we get each month, two or three will die.”
A senior figure from food delivery firm Deliveroo said the well-being of “our riders, customers and partners” is at the heart of everything the company does. "We continuously work closely with local authorities to introduce initiatives to enhance road safety and rider support," said Yazan Aburaqabeh, director of operations at Deliveroo Middle East.
"Our efforts include comprehensive onboarding practical and theoretical safety training, improved protective gear, and partnerships with restaurants to provide resting stations and refreshments to riders." The company also provides cooling vests and breathable uniforms to riders during the hot summer months, he added.
The National also contacted food delivery firms Careem and Talabat but neither company issued a statement.
RESULTS
5pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 2,200m
Winner: Jawal Al Reef, Fernando Jara (jockey), Ahmed Al Mehairbi (trainer)
5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m
Winner: AF Seven Skies, Bernardo Pinheiro, Qais Aboud
6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: Almahroosa, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel
6.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Sumoud, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 1,200m
Winner: AF Majalis, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh90,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Adventurous, Sandro Paiva, Ali Rashid Al Raihe
MATCH INFO
Barcelona v Real Madrid, 11pm UAE
Match is on BeIN Sports
UAE jiu-jitsu squad
Men: Hamad Nawad and Khalid Al Balushi (56kg), Omar Al Fadhli and Saeed Al Mazroui (62kg), Taleb Al Kirbi and Humaid Al Kaabi (69kg), Mohammed Al Qubaisi and Saud Al Hammadi (70kg), Khalfan Belhol and Mohammad Haitham Radhi (85kg), Faisal Al Ketbi and Zayed Al Kaabi (94kg)
Women: Wadima Al Yafei and Mahra Al Hanaei (49kg), Bashayer Al Matrooshi and Hessa Al Shamsi (62kg)
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How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
How to join and use Abu Dhabi’s public libraries
• There are six libraries in Abu Dhabi emirate run by the Department of Culture and Tourism, including one in Al Ain and Al Dhafra.
• Libraries are free to visit and visitors can consult books, use online resources and study there. Most are open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, closed on Fridays and have variable hours on Saturdays, except for Qasr Al Watan which is open from 10am to 8pm every day.
• In order to borrow books, visitors must join the service by providing a passport photograph, Emirates ID and a refundable deposit of Dh400. Members can borrow five books for three weeks, all of which are renewable up to two times online.
• If users do not wish to pay the fee, they can still use the library’s electronic resources for free by simply registering on the website. Once registered, a username and password is provided, allowing remote access.
• For more information visit the library network's website.
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
THE APPRENTICE
Director: Ali Abbasi
Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong
Rating: 3/5
Will the pound fall to parity with the dollar?
The idea of pound parity now seems less far-fetched as the risk grows that Britain may split away from the European Union without a deal.
Rupert Harrison, a fund manager at BlackRock, sees the risk of it falling to trade level with the dollar on a no-deal Brexit. The view echoes Morgan Stanley’s recent forecast that the currency can plunge toward $1 (Dh3.67) on such an outcome. That isn’t the majority view yet – a Bloomberg survey this month estimated the pound will slide to $1.10 should the UK exit the bloc without an agreement.
New Prime Minister Boris Johnson has repeatedly said that Britain will leave the EU on the October 31 deadline with or without an agreement, fuelling concern the nation is headed for a disorderly departure and fanning pessimism toward the pound. Sterling has fallen more than 7 per cent in the past three months, the worst performance among major developed-market currencies.
“The pound is at a much lower level now but I still think a no-deal exit would lead to significant volatility and we could be testing parity on a really bad outcome,” said Mr Harrison, who manages more than $10 billion in assets at BlackRock. “We will see this game of chicken continue through August and that’s likely negative for sterling,” he said about the deadlocked Brexit talks.
The pound fell 0.8 per cent to $1.2033 on Friday, its weakest closing level since the 1980s, after a report on the second quarter showed the UK economy shrank for the first time in six years. The data means it is likely the Bank of England will cut interest rates, according to Mizuho Bank.
The BOE said in November that the currency could fall even below $1 in an analysis on possible worst-case Brexit scenarios. Options-based calculations showed around a 6.4 per cent chance of pound-dollar parity in the next one year, markedly higher than 0.2 per cent in early March when prospects of a no-deal outcome were seemingly off the table.
Bloomberg
How to help
Donate towards food and a flight by transferring money to this registered charity's account.
Account name: Dar Al Ber Society
Account Number: 11 530 734
IBAN: AE 9805 000 000 000 11 530 734
Bank Name: Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank
To ensure that your contribution reaches these people, please send the copy of deposit/transfer receipt to: juhi.khan@daralber.ae
MATCH INFO
Inter Milan 1 (Martinez 18' pen)
Juventus 2 (Dybala 4', Higuain 80')
From Zero
Artist: Linkin Park
Label: Warner Records
Number of tracks: 11
Rating: 4/5
I Feel Pretty
Dir: Abby Kohn/Mark Silverstein
Starring: Amy Schumer, Michelle Williams, Emily Ratajkowski, Rory Scovel
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
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hall of shame
SUNDERLAND 2002-03
No one has ended a Premier League season quite like Sunderland. They lost each of their final 15 games, taking no points after January. They ended up with 19 in total, sacking managers Peter Reid and Howard Wilkinson and losing 3-1 to Charlton when they scored three own goals in eight minutes.
SUNDERLAND 2005-06
Until Derby came along, Sunderland’s total of 15 points was the Premier League’s record low. They made it until May and their final home game before winning at the Stadium of Light while they lost a joint record 29 of their 38 league games.
HUDDERSFIELD 2018-19
Joined Derby as the only team to be relegated in March. No striker scored until January, while only two players got more assists than goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. The mid-season appointment Jan Siewert was to end his time as Huddersfield manager with a 5.3 per cent win rate.
ASTON VILLA 2015-16
Perhaps the most inexplicably bad season, considering they signed Idrissa Gueye and Adama Traore and still only got 17 points. Villa won their first league game, but none of the next 19. They ended an abominable campaign by taking one point from the last 39 available.
FULHAM 2018-19
Terrible in different ways. Fulham’s total of 26 points is not among the lowest ever but they contrived to get relegated after spending over £100 million (Dh457m) in the transfer market. Much of it went on defenders but they only kept two clean sheets in their first 33 games.
LA LIGA: Sporting Gijon, 13 points in 1997-98.
BUNDESLIGA: Tasmania Berlin, 10 points in 1965-66
Should late investors consider cryptocurrencies?
Wealth managers recommend late investors to have a balanced portfolio that typically includes traditional assets such as cash, government and corporate bonds, equities, commodities and commercial property.
They do not usually recommend investing in Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies due to the risk and volatility associated with them.
“It has produced eye-watering returns for some, whereas others have lost substantially as this has all depended purely on timing and when the buy-in was. If someone still has about 20 to 25 years until retirement, there isn’t any need to take such risks,” Rupert Connor of Abacus Financial Consultant says.
He adds that if a person is interested in owning a business or growing a property portfolio to increase their retirement income, this can be encouraged provided they keep in mind the overall risk profile of these assets.
Stree
Producer: Maddock Films, Jio Movies
Director: Amar Kaushik
Cast: Rajkummar Rao, Shraddha Kapoor, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana, Abhishek Banerjee
Rating: 3.5
Tewellah by Nawal Zoghbi is out now.
If you go
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Funchal via Lisbon, with a connecting flight with Air Portugal. Economy class returns cost from Dh3,845 return including taxes.
The trip
The WalkMe app can be downloaded from the usual sources. If you don’t fancy doing the trip yourself, then Explore offers an eight-day levada trails tour from Dh3,050, not including flights.
The hotel
There isn’t another hotel anywhere in Madeira that matches the history and luxury of the Belmond Reid's Palace in Funchal. Doubles from Dh1,400 per night including taxes.
