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Uber Australia is rolling out a number of new safety initiatives this week to help reduce the risk for people who deliver food by bike.

From this Tuesday, Australian riders be will the first in Uber’s global workforce to access new app technology and safety gear.

The new object recognition feature will detect whether delivery riders are wearing a helmet and requires them to complete a bike roadworthiness checklist. Later this month, Uber will start distributing lights, reflective vests, bells and phone holders.

Changes to Uber’s work practices come after a spate of delivery rider deaths in late 2020 which saw the NSW Government announce a taskforce to investigate the gig economy.

Earlier this month, the taskforce released their draft guidelines and recommendations to help create safer working conditions for those who work in the gig economy.

The draft guidelines, which are due to be provided to the NSW Government in April, outline hazards in the industry which included poorly designed apps, unrealistic delivery times and rating systems resulting in time pressures, on-road conditions including interaction with heavy vehicles and obstacles and long hours of work.

While the initiatives might help reduce the financial burden of upgrading safety equipment for delivery riders, Uber’s issuing of safety equipment and helmet-detection technology doesn't directly address the hazards outlined by the taskforce.

It’s important to remember that for people who ride bikes, risk is created by the external environment and that risk primary comes from drivers of vehicles. In Australia, research shows that nearly 80 per cent of crashes involving a bike rider are caused by the driver of a motor vehicle.

The most effective way to reduce the risk for all people who ride is to separate them from vehicles.

In managing risk in any environment, personal protective equipment is the least effective means of preventing injury. The best methods control the hazard or risk at the source to prevent an incident occurring in the first place.

But sadly, because PPE is easier to implement, it is often the first measure introduced, despite being the least effective hazard control. It’s a bad moment when you have to rely on a reflective vests or bright lights to save your life.

Opportunities exist for delivery companies to support the work of local bike advocates and agitate for changes proven to reduce the risk for all people who ride on the road, including separated infrastructure, slower speeds and safety upgrades to heavy vehicles. 

You might also be interested in:

• Gig economy inquiry must be expedited
• NSW government announces food delivery taskforce
• NSW taskforce releases food delivery draft guidelines