Bicycle delivery has been a part of the daily grind in NYC for years. Lately, more and more people are ordering in, which is driving the demand for bicycle delivery personnel (also known as “deliveristas”) way up. The department of transportation estimates that there are 65,000 bicycle deliveristas on the streets of NYC in 2022.
In a city that is constantly busy, riding conditions can be challenging. Deliveristas do their jobs in all kinds of weather while sharing the crowded city streets with pedestrians, doormen, and irate drivers. It’s an accident waiting to happen.
Deliveristas face the dangers of accidents every day.
In 2020 NYC reported more than 240 bicycle delivery accidents with 24 of them being fatal. Of those 240 accidents, 111 involved E-bikes, which are rented out by the city. Deliveristas like to rent the e-bikes because they are faster than a manual peddle bike. They also allow the rider to minimize wear and tear on their bodies as well as their bicycles.
Every five years, New York City lawmakers are required to take a look at the transportation laws and make improvements where necessary. In January of 2022, the “NYC Streets Plan” took effect. This plan allows for the building of 250 miles of protected bicycle lanes on the streets. The ultimate goal of the “NYC Streets Plan” is to make transportation safer while significantly lowering greenhouse gas emissions. It also encourages the continued study of ways in which to keep the city’s deliveristas safe.
What if you were in an accident while making a bicycle delivery?
Unfortunately, accidents do happen. If you were the victim of an accident while you were delivering food on your bicycle, contacting an experienced legal guide is the first step to take on the road to recovery.