Petition wants Toronto food delivery cyclists to obey ‘traffic rules’

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A Toronto resident has started a change.org petition to get all food delivery bicycle drivers to obey traffic laws in the city.

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“As a resident of Toronto who frequently drives, walks, and walks my dogs in the city, I have personally experienced the dangers posed by bicycle delivery riders who do not comply with traffic rules,” writes the petition starter, who goes by the name Mish Mish on change.org.

“Their presence on sidewalks and disregard for traffic laws have made it increasingly unsafe for pedestrians, drivers, and fellow cyclists.”

So far, the petition has 247 with a goal of 500.

“In recent years, with the rise of home delivery services, we’ve seen an increase in these incidents,” writes Mish Mish.

“Yet, current legislation and enforcement do not seem sufficient to curb this concerning trend. A Statistics Canada report highlighted that an average of 74 Canadians die in cycling collisions each year, with 73% of those incidents involving a collision with a motor vehicle. Additionally, road safety rules may not have been respected in approximately 1 in 3 cycling fatalities​(Statistics Canada)​​ (Canadian Automobile Association)​.”

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Mish Mish also says she doesn’t want to “villainize delivery riders, many of whom rely on their jobs to make ends meet. Instead, we ask the City of Toronto to ensure that all road users, including bicycle delivery riders, are held accountable to the same standard of safety.”

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The petition calls upon Uber Eats, DoorDash, and SkipTheDishes to assign rider numbers to all delivery couriers, “which can be displayed visibly on their person or bicycle,” equip riders with safety gear like “helmets, reflective clothing, and lights for their bicycles,” educate and train delivery riders including “the prohibition of riding on sidewalks and the necessity of using designated bike lanes and roads,” and implement strict compliance policies and “consequences for riders who do not comply with traffic laws.”

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The petition also wants the City of Toronto and Toronto Police to increase enforcement of traffic laws “to enforce existing traffic laws for cyclists, particularly in high-traffic areas where non-compliance is most prevalent; to implement public awareness campaigns “and the importance of maintaining pedestrian safety;” to educate both riders and the general public to foster a culture of mutual respect and safety; to enhance infrastructure for safe cycling including “more bike lanes and clearer signage;” and to provide safe and designated spaces for cyclists, “reducing the temptation to use sidewalks.”

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