Training & equipment for delivery cyclists

[find_bruce]

Bicycle Queensland are calling for formal training of bicycle delivery riders such as deliveroo, foodora and uber eats - see Food delivery cyclists putting themselves at risk without proper training, expert says

After making some good points about training BQ then drift into wierdness

at a minimum each rider should be wearing a vest, have illumination on their delivery backpacks, bike lighting and wear a helmet of a decent quality.

Not sure how wearing a vest is going to help given the large backpack that already has reflective stripes & any helmet that meets Australian or international standards is of a decent quality - whether any helmet should be mandatory is a matter for the other thread.

[RonK]

Yes, they are often all but invisible riding in the Brisbane CBD at night. And they need to be visible from the front as well as the back.

Workers compensation may be at stake here, so it's important that they have proper training and use appropriate equipment.

[Trevtassie]

Yes, they are often all but invisible riding in the Brisbane CBD at night. And they need to be visible from the front as well as the back.

Workers compensation may be at stake here, so it's important that they have proper training and use appropriate equipment.

But they aren't workers! Not in the new economy.... they are independent contractors that just happen to all wear the same uniform and follow the company rules and instructions. You know, privatise the profits and socialise the risks when they stuff up and end up in hospital for months.

[fat and old]

1. What qualifications does Ben Wilson have in Training to be considered "an expert"
2. What training does an Uber driver, Delivery Van driver or Motor Cycle courier undertake?
3. Who shall formulate this training matrix?
4. Who shall deliver it?
5. Who will pay for it?

Vocational Training in this country (and probably others, I haven't done any O/S training so don't know) is a joke. It's so bad that I have to essentially formulate the training session myself with the providers to achieve any meaningful outcome. I guarantee you that NO ONE will fail any "training" that I have ever done since 1989, bar the St. John's Ambulance First Aid courses. I've seen blokes with no written English skills and very, very limited understanding of the spoken word pass written tests.

One course I did in the early 90's was for the safe use of Laser levels on site. Spent 3 hrs being taught all about laser light from a textbook at a first year uni physics level then went to the local pub with our part of the cost meal voucher for 2 hrs then returned plastered to complete the test. Local TAFE provided that, in conjunction with the CFMEU.

It looks like Bicycle Queensland has sniffed out a nice, taxpayer funded income stream to me.

[RonK]

But they aren't workers! Not in the new economy.... they are independent contractors that just happen to all wear the same uniform and follow the company rules and instructions.

Not according to Fairwork Australia.

[RonK]

It looks like Bicycle Queensland has sniffed out a nice, taxpayer funded income stream to me.

You must by psychic.

I don't read anywhere in that story that Ben Wilson claimed to be an expert or that BQ has any interest other than advocacy.

[g-boaf]

The reflective vests is probably due to them being workers and being on the road, some OH&S requirement defined somewhere. Not that it'll be any good with that enormous black box they have strapped to their backs. Perhaps the solution is to make that black box bright yellow or orange..

I'm sure Foodora or Deliveroo will be happy to change those, and probably pass the costs of doing so onto the contractors working for them.

[human909]

It looks like Bicycle Queensland has sniffed out a nice, taxpayer funded income stream to me.

Hit the nail on the head here.

[RonK]

It's worth noting that under Queensland law workers compensation also applies on the way to and from work, not just at work.

[human909]

Like usual in Australia we have things all topsy-turvey when it comes to cyclists.

In Australia the expectations of the skill level of cyclists both by the general public, cycling organisations and cyclists themselves seems to be incredibly high. In countries with far better cycling rates and policies the expectation of greater skills and awareness rests on those in larger vehicles.

I do agree that delivery cyclists display far poorer skills on the road than more experienced cyclists and cycling enthusiasts. But that is the reality of getting REGULAR people back onto bikes.

We can't have it both ways. And I'd prefer to see more people on bikes even if that means that some cyclists aren't highly skilled. This is far better than the current situation of a motorised society with unskilled people driving 2tonne death machines.

[RobertL]

The Deliveroo jacket is highly reflective. It, apparently, has become a bit of a fashion item too: https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/sho ... -must-have

[fat and old]

. Perhaps the solution is to make that black box bright yellow or orange..

That's a damn good idea. You oughta look into supplying those and making a deal with Foodora (to buy) and Bicycle Queensland (to lobby for legislation making them mandatory). Give each a 5% "commission"

[g-boaf]

Like usual in Australia we have things all topsy-turvey when it comes to cyclists.

In Australia the expectations of the skill level of cyclists both by the general public, cycling organisations and cyclists themselves seems to be incredibly high. In countries with far better cycling rates and policies the expectation of greater skills and awareness rests on those in larger vehicles.

I do agree that delivery cyclists display far poorer skills on the road than more experienced cyclists and cycling enthusiasts. But that is the reality of getting REGULAR people back onto bikes.

We can't have it both ways. And I'd prefer to see more people on bikes even if that means that some cyclists aren't highly skilled. This is far better than the current situation of a motorised society with unskilled people driving 2tonne death machines.

You could have have the cycling abilities of Peter Sagan and someone here would still find something to complain about. And that's not including the "I ride a bike too but..." types who are always suspiciously anti-cycling.

. Perhaps the solution is to make that black box bright yellow or orange..

That's a damn good idea. You oughta look into supplying those and making a deal with Foodora (to buy) and Bicycle Queensland (to lobby for legislation making them mandatory). Give each a 5% "commission"

My comment was more about the fact that those companies would probably find a way to nickel and dime the poor riders for the cost of such a thing.

[RobertL]

You could have have the cycling abilities of Peter Sagan and someone here would still find something to complain about.

All those bl**dy cyclists and their one-handed wheelies...

[fat and old]

. Perhaps the solution is to make that black box bright yellow or orange..

That's a damn good idea. You oughta look into supplying those and making a deal with Foodora (to buy) and Bicycle Queensland (to lobby for legislation making them mandatory). Give each a 5% "commission"

My comment was more about the fact that those companies would probably find a way to nickel and dime the poor riders for the cost of such a thing.

Yeah, the supply part was tongue in cheek...but not the idea. I reckon it's a real good idea.

When I was a courier (M/C) we were all PPS, but the company supplied uniform and boxes we had to use. Maybe it's like that?

[Mulger bill]

I don't read anywhere in that story that Ben Wilson claimed to be an expert or that BQ has any interest other than advocacy.

Anyone who provides quotes in support of the premise of the story is an expert according to the subby who writes the headlines

[biker jk]

It sounds like there is a lot of work to be done regarding training and equipment.

ROGUE food deliverers have been called to task over dangerous riding as they rush from job to job.
The City of Sydney council has called in representatives from major companies and continues to receive ongoing complaints about food delivery services.
As the number of food deliverers continues to grow, riders have been spotted flouting the law and endangering pedestrians by cycling on footpaths and riding on the wrong side of the road.
In the year to June, the City received 10 official complaints about rider behaviour.
Meanwhile, SafeWork NSW has investigated one incident and two complaints involving food delivery cyclists in the last two years.

The City’s CEO Monica Barone and Cycling Strategy Manager Fiona Campbell recently met UberEats, Deliveroo, Foodora and Dominos Pizza to discuss safe riding and the importance of pedestrian safety.
A City spokesman said it had recommended sending riders to a City cycling course which teaches road rules, skills and techniques to become a “safe, considerate rider”.
Liberal councillor Christine Forster proposed a motion at last month’s council meeting urging City staff to request delivery services educate their employees on pedestrian and cyclist safety and road rules. She also called for City rangers to take action on cyclists illegally using footpaths. The motion was knocked back.

“It is the basic responsibility of council to ensure that as we see increasing numbers of cyclists on the road to do what we can to ensure they get the right training on what’s required,” Cr Forster said.
The City’s cycling courses should be a basic requirement for food service deliverers, she said.
A former deliverer also called for improved training within the industry.
Newtown local and owner of King St bike shop, Hell on Wheels, Tom Boorman said he would have liked to have seen safety checks and better training.
“When I signed up they were just accumulating riders as quickly as possible to spread out the service ASAP but people were just getting on some people’s bikes that were really unsafe,” he said.

Mr Boorman, who worked as a Deliveroo food deliverer for more than 12 months said City cycling courses should be required “as the bare minimum”.
While Mr Boorman chalked up a relatively positive experience to his strong cycling skills and knowledge of the local area, he said this was not always the case for other riders who were often unfamiliar with road rules.
Mr Boorman said the training he received from Deliveroo was a short video based on the UK model which advised riders to “obey the road rules”, and two practice rides.
Safety lights were handed out, but some riders chose not to replace the batteries and rode around on near defective bikes.
“Riding on the wrong side of the road with no lights, I’m genuinely amazed no one has been really hurt,” he said.

Cycling infrastructure and Sydney’s hazardous road conditions made the environment even worse, Mr Boorman said.
Sometimes riders were forced onto the footpath to avoid being in danger.
Mr Boorman was car-doored while on duty on King St earlier this year, resulting in significant injuries from which he is still recovering.
A Deliveroo spokeswoman said riders are required to undergo an “onboarding” process which includes modules on road safety and wearing a safe and visible kit.
Deliveroo requires rider partners to provide evidence of a compliant vehicle, front and rear lights, and an Australian certified helmet at the time of employ.

However, “it is the individual’s responsibility to maintain their vehicle in accordance with the local laws”, the spokeswoman said.
Deliveroo has also implemented “licence plates” for cyclists so members of the public can assist to identify poor rider behaviour.

https://goo.gl/miZW7z

[Cyclophiliac]

2. What training does an Uber driver, Delivery Van driver or Motor Cycle courier undertake?

That's exactly what BQ should have been asking. Aren't they supposed to be a bicycle advocacy organisation, or are they just a thinly-disguised motoring advocacy organisation?

[biker jk]

Training remains non-existent.

https://goo.gl/ab38Eh