The delivery dilemma – manage impacts, not marginalised workers

The World Economic Forum (WEF) noted this month that ultra-fast urban delivery has become the new normal – but that cities remain unprepared. 

Powered by dense logistics networks and intense market competition, groceries, meals and parcels now arrive within the hour, says the WEF.

However, while consumer habits have changed rapidly, urban infrastructure has remained relatively the same. Many streets haven’t been designed for this scale or speed of commercial activity.

The boom of the food delivery industry in the last five years has certainly been visible across several of the UK’s towns and cities. In 2024, climate charity Possible estimated that around 20,000 people work as food delivery riders in London alone, and that one-in-ten cycle journeys in inner London are now taken by someone delivering food. 

This week, Tom Bailey from Streets Systems published an article – with his Councillor hat on – on TransportXtra with a few thoughts on the delivery bike dilemma and its impact on marginalised workforces across the UK.

Tom recognises that uninsured driving and the riding and illegal modification of vehicles is a problem these days across the UK. Both the tech companies behind delivery services and the government, he says, could be doing a lot more to sort out regulation and compliance.

He says: “Deliveroo always struck me as a good idea and the focus on bikes as delivery vehicles that the company has is fantastic.  Like most people, I’d far rather see deliveries made without putting more motor vehicles into residential areas.” 

But he adds that there are UK businesses selling or leasing unlawful higher-powered throttle controlled “e-bikes” specifically aimed at delivery riders. “The tech companies taking your order have quietly profited from a system where it’s physically difficult to compete and earn a fair wage, except by attaching propulsion systems to bikes which aren’t lawful.”

The rental of rider accounts registered with the “right to work in the UK” is also on the rise, he notes. “As a Labour Councillor I stand up for the rule of law, fair wages and a sustainable economy.  The way the industry is now operating looks broken.

“There are examples out there of the police targeting delivery riders on unlawful bikes, which needs to happen, but at the same time can look a lot like targeting one of the most marginalised workforces in the UK.”

Pedal Me, the UK’s first FORS-accredited cargo bike logistics company, recognises the problem and has launched a public awareness campaign  highlighting the uncomfortable truth: leading retailers risk breaching UK Modern Slavery law when they outsource last-mile deliveries to companies like Deliveroo and other gig-based operators with opaque supply chains.

Says Knowles: “When a big supermarket hands over their customer deliveries to an operator that looks the other way on account swapping and therefore modern slavery risk, they’re not just risking PR embarrassment – they could be committing a criminal offence. 

He adds: “We run our business 100% with employees, properly trained, properly insured, and properly paid. If Waitrose, Co-op or any retailer wants to be sure their deliveries are legal – and ethical – they need to work with providers like us.”

The 2024 research from Possible, done with partners including IWGB and Impact on Urban Health, also found that delivery work is often unsafe and insecure as riders face the full brunt of road danger and air pollution while also reporting low wages and problems with pay transparency. 

Landor LINKS will be further exploring these issues at Active Travel Innovations on 4 November in Manchester. And a new webinar from Possible, at 2pm on Thursday 21st August, will seek to understand the challenges that riders face in trying to do their jobs.