Food Courier: I’ve Been Knocked Off My Bike 8 Times Delivering Food

I crashed my bike in 2020 while working. It happened during a delivery run in December. Oxford Street was less crowded than usual that day. I’m a food courier, so I bike a lot and usually watch out for cars and pedestrians. This time, I swerved to avoid a bus and flew off my bike, landing hard.

Some people helped me up, but my knee hurt. I said I was fine although the bus was gone when I stood up.

Sadly, this is common in London, where drivers often disregard bike lanes. This needs to change for cyclists’ safety. I used to work in retail, with no chances for growth, and began deliveries in 2016 because I thought it would give me control. Now, there are about 20,000 London food couriers who account for almost 10% of cycle lane use.

London sees over 23,000 road casualties each year. Eighty percent of serious injuries involve walkers and cyclists. I have been hit eight times in eight years, and my 2020 crash was the worst. I sprained my knee and took six weeks off because I could not cycle for long periods then.

Many delivery workers experience accidents resulting in minor scrapes, or worse. One friend broke an arm, and his shoulder mobility is still affected. Research found many couriers fear for their safety, and sixty percent feel constantly at risk on the road, which is unacceptable and must change.

Office workers receive safety guidelines, but couriers do not. We work long hours for little money and must rush to make enough money. My knee still hurts from that crash, but I could not afford more time off. People want food fast and easy, but they don’t think about our risks.

I’m skilled on roads, but danger is always present. It’s scary wondering if an accident will end my career, or if I will even lose my life, all because drivers don’t respect us. London’s cycling infrastructure is inadequate, and people park in bike lanes all the time.

We need less traffic and more respect from drivers. Better cycle lanes make us safer, and those lanes prevent us from competing with cars. Delivery companies must stop pressuring us and focus less on profit over safety. The apps threaten to ban us if we are “slow,” but speed earns better ratings, which equals better pay.

Companies should provide lower emission vehicles too. E-bikes would make deliveries safer and greener. In 2022, I became chair of the IWGB union’s courier branch to fight for fair pay, safety, and respect. I advocate for couriers when problems arise, and I organize against delivery companies and spread rights awareness.

I still have knee pain, but I won’t quit. I love seeing London and meeting people, and office jobs lack this freedom. However, the constant risk is still scary. Better lanes and less traffic can fix this, so couriers deserve respect and safety just like everyone else.