Delivery Despatch Riders

ISSN 1831-9351
Delivery and despatch riders’

safety and health:
A European review of good
practice guidelines
TE--WE-10-002-EN-N
Authors Topic Centre – Work Environment members:
Ferenc Kudasz, OMFI, Hungary
Mark Liddle, HSL, UK
Krzysztof Makowski, CIOP-PIB, Poland
Ellen Schmitz-Felten, KOOP, Germany (task leader)
Editor and project manager: Sarah Copsey, European Agency for Safety and Health at Work
(EU-OSHA)
Supported by: Terence N. Taylor, Head of the Working Environment Information Unit
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA)
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Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union, 2010
ISBN -13: 978-92-9191-333-6

doi:10.2802/31332
© European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2010

Reproduction is authorised provided the source is acknowledged.
Delivery and despatch riders’ safety and health: a European review of good practice guidelines
DELIVERY AND DESPATCH RIDERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH:

A EUROPEAN REVIEW OF GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES
EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 1

1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................. 3
1.1 Objective of this report........................................................................................................... 3
1.2 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 4
2. Introduction to the overall topic .................................................................................................... 4
3. General information for light delivery riders ................................................................................. 7
3.1 Guidelines for courier workers (messengers and delivery workers)...................................... 7
3.2. Checklists for courier workers............................................................................................. 13
3.3 Equipment for courier workers............................................................................................. 15
3.4 Studies on courier workers .................................................................................................. 16
3.5 Young workers and courier activities................................................................................... 18
3.6 Road safety for couriers and light delivery riders ................................................................ 20
4. Special information on delivery by bicycles ............................................................................... 21
4.1 Guidelines for bicycle couriers............................................................................................. 21
4.2. Road safety for bicycle couriers ......................................................................................... 24
4.3 Equipment for bicycle couriers and drivers.......................................................................... 24
4.4 Training for bicycle couriers................................................................................................. 26
5. Special information for delivery by motorcycle .......................................................................... 27
5.1 Guidelines for motorcycle delivery....................................................................................... 27
6. General information for safe use of bicycles and motorcycles .................................................. 29
6.1 Road safety.......................................................................................................................... 29
6.2 Safe use of motorcycles ...................................................................................................... 31
6.3 Safe use of bicycles............................................................................................................. 40
7. Conclusions................................................................................................................................ 41
8. Table showing overview of guidelines and recommendations .................................................. 44
9. References................................................................................................................................. 51

1. Introduction
1.1 Objective of this report

The aim of this report is to scope the availability of good practice material on the occupational health and
safety of light delivery riders, namely:
 Motorcycle messengers and delivery workers (e.g. pizza delivery)
 Bicycle couriers.
The report presents examples of
the good practice guidelines
found. The study aimed to cover
the many different risks for
delivery riders, not just road
safety. The report does not
pretend to be completely
comprehensive, but provides a
flavour of the range of guidance
about preventing risks to delivery
riders that is available in some
Member States and some
countries outside the EU.
Motorcycles and bicycles can be
used at work for various activities,
such as fast food delivery,
message and post delivery and
police patrols.
PHC Franchised Restaurants, Cyprus, EU-OSHA Good Practice Awards 2006
This report presents examples of good practice guidelines, good practice solutions, risk prevention
recommendations and advice on equipment maintenance. The guidelines cover various different risks
faced by couriers, in addition to road safety, including:
 Bike maintenance
 Safe driving
 The provision and use of personal protective equipment (PPE)
 Training and supervision
 Violence
 Stress
 Slips, trips and falls
 Design of bikes
 Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs), vibration
 Traffic fumes
 Welfare facilities
 What to do if an accident occurs
 Working hours, shifts, night work
 Training.

1.2 Methodology
This report is a collaborative effort, produced by authors from CIOP-PIB, OMFI, HSL and KOOP, who
formed part of EU-OSHA’s topic centre – work environment in 2008. The identification and retrieval of
relevant guidelines and recommendations for couriers and delivery staff using bicycles and motorcycles
was shared between the four partners and material has been collected from throughout Europe
(Germany, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Hungary, Spain, Poland and the UK) and the USA. The
research was carried out via the internet during 2008. Different organisations were contacted to get a
broad overview of existing guidelines and good practice information for these workers.
As the work of couriers, messengers and food delivery drivers is not well recognised in society, it was not
easy to find appropriate information about occupational safety and health for this sector. For this reason
the authors added general information on safe cycling and motorcycling, one of the most important topics
for this sector.
2. Introduction to the overall topic

Delivery workers defined in this report include messengers, couriers and food delivery drivers who use
bicycles or motorcycles.
Riders on motorcycles or bicycles provide a valuable service in delivering information for the business
community or home deliveries for the general public. Traffic congestion and parking restrictions make
delivering parcels by motorcycle and bicycles an economical and effective alternative to delivery vans.
Bicycles and motorcycles can travel faster than cars through heavy city traffic (Sydney Bicycle
Messenger Association, 2007); they are also economical, efficient and, in the case of bicycles,
environmentally harmless.
However, motorcyclists and bicycle riders are two of the most vulnerable groups of road users. In 2006
powered two-wheeler (P2W) and bicycle riders were involved in about 21% and 10% respectively of all
traffic accidents occurring in London that resulted in fatalities or serious injuries, although they accounted
for less than 3% of vehicle kilometres travelled (Baverstock et al., 2007).
Riders in both sectors suffer from time pressure: delivery workers are paid per delivery and are required
to fulfil assignments in a very short period of time. Food delivery drivers have to deliver food while it is still
hot.
Riders in both sectors are at risk of being involved in road traffic accidents, and are exposed to pollution.
But there are also differences between the ‘two-wheeled’ delivery sectors:
 Motorcycles are typically used for food delivery whereas bicycles are mainly used in the courier and
messenger sector.
According to a survey in UK the majority of courier riders are about 26 to 30 years old, whereas the
majority of food delivery riders are younger, about 21 to 25 years old.
‘Courier riders are older and more experienced. Food delivery riders are younger and more likely to work
part time’ (Baverstock et al., 2007).
Delivery riders tend to work full time, from 7 am to 6 pm, and are therefore on the road during the rush
hour so that the main risk they face is road accidents (Baverstock, et al., 2007). Food delivery workers
tend to work part time, typically from 6 to 8 pm. They are more at risk of becoming victims of aggressive,
drunken or drugged drivers and clients, and of robberies.
Deliveries by motorcycle:
Motorbikes, mopeds and scooters are becoming an increasingly popular and attractive mode of transport,
particularly for fast food and other delivery riders.

Fast food delivery riders work mostly at night, from 8 pm to 1 am. They may be confronted with
aggressive or drunken clients. They work alone and after dark, which makes their job dangerous. Food
delivery riders are also at risk of robberies, because they handle money.
Riding a motorcycle in all weathers and adverse road conditions, always in a hurry to fulfil the assignment
on time, increases the risk of accidents. Food delivery is typically done by young workers or by workers
who have had no job training. They work mostly part time and on a contract basis.
The general use of motorcycles or mopeds shows a clear regional pattern: in Southern Europe there are
about 50 mopeds and 30-40 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants. In northern countries there are only about
20 mopeds and 10 motorcycles per 1,000 inhabitants (Wittink, 2001).
In France, motorcycles are commonly used for light haulage, and in 2001 there were about 8,000
motorcycle couriers working in Paris alone. Accident statistics showed that one in six motorcycle couriers
was involved in an accident. This caused CRAMIF (Caisse Régionale d’Assurance Maladie d’Ile de
France), a public health service organisation in greater Paris, the police and the municipality to launch a
campaign to sensitise road users to this problem (Richez, 2003).
In Germany and the UK motorcycles are mainly used for food delivery, with about 13,000 registered for
food deliveries in London alone (Baverstock et al., 2007).
According to a 1993 survey in London, only 18% of food delivery riders interviewed had received formal
training (Sweetnam et al., 1993).
In Cyprus there had been a high number of accidents involving food delivery drivers, from minor ones
such as falling off the motorcycle and sustaining scratches, to major ones including fatal road traffic
accidents. Incorrect use of helmets increased the severity of injuries resulting from the accidents. This led
a pizza company in Cyprus to think about preventive measures to minimise accidents. They introduced a
system to educate, train, assess and actively monitor the riders (European Agency for Safety and Health
at Work (EU-OSHA), 2007).
In the UK the police, in partnership with the government and London’s transport authority, has started the
‘Think’ campaign, to make the public more aware of the need to look out for motorcyclists. There is also a
campaign to provide further training for riders in the 16-to-25-year age group, including delivery riders,
many of whom are learners (London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, 2006).
Risk and hazards for motorcycle messengers are:
 Road traffic (risk of road accidents)
 Time pressure (just-in-time delivery)
 Vehicles (poorly maintained, equipment not appropriate)
 Unbalanced, awkward loads
 Vibration
 Bad weather, inappropriate clothing
 Lack of protective clothing (high visibility vests, helmets)
 Lack of training
 Lone working
 Contact with clients (risk from aggressive, drunken and drugged clients)
 Working at night
 Handling of money (risk of robberies)
Noise (Noise levels in excess of 105 dB(A) were recorded for motorcycles travelling at 70 mph 1 , the
maximum public road speed limit in the UK)
1
Equivalent to 112 km/h.

Bicycle couriers
Europe’s bicycle couriers cover millions of kilometres and deliver millions of letters/parcels, making an
important contribution to environment protection and the quality of life in. The use of bicycles for delivery
work has many advantages for cities: they do not pollute the air with exhaust gases, they damage the
road less than other vehicles, they need less space on the road, they help to reduce congestion and
traffic jams, and they are less dangerous for pedestrians than other vehicles (Hendry, 1997).
In Germany about 98 courier companies are registered, of which 43% are one-person companies
(Netzwerk Fahrradkuriere, 2008).
Couriers work predominantly as independent contractors. They work as subcontractors for one or more
courier companies. That means that they are not salaried employees, their insurance is not paid by their
companies and they do not have any other employee benefits. Although they are expected to deliver at a
rapid pace, in cases of injury and accidents on the job they get no financial support from their companies
(Lejtenyi, 2002; www.fahrradkurier.de, 2008).
Couriers spend all day outside working and are on the road for about 7 to 9 hours (Hendry, 1999). They
are exposed to various risks and hazards and to adverse and even extreme weather conditions.
Studies of bicycle messengers in Montreal show that bicycle couriers are six times more likely to have an
accident than other cyclists. This high incidence of accidents compared to other bicycle users can be
explained by the distance the couriers cover and the amount of time they spend on the road
(Messengerville, 2008).
Messengers are outdoors at the most dangerous time of day, when the air quality is worst. In addition the
physical strain of cycling requires a higher and more intense rate of breathing. This results in cyclists
being more exposed to polluted air. Chronic exposure to air pollutants can reduce lung function
permanently (Hendry, 1999).
Risk factors for bike couriers are related to the nature of their employment and the traffic environment:
their age (about 25 years on average), sex (mostly males), employment status (independent contractors,
paid on a delivery or commission basis and working full time on the road), the purpose of their work (rapid
delivery), their area of operation (business sector with heavy vehicular traffic and numerous pedestrians,
etc.).
Risk and hazards for bicycle messengers are:

 Road traffic (risk of road accidents)
 Time pressure (just-in-time delivery),
 Vehicles (poorly maintained, equipment not appropriate)
 Unbalanced load,
 Bad weather, inappropriate clothing
 Lack of protective clothing (high-visibility vests, helmets)
 Lack of training
 Lone working
 Contact with clients (risk from aggressive, drunken and drugged clients)
 Handling of money (risk of robberies)
 Polluted air
 Physical strain (problems with joints such as knees and wrists)
 Nutrition (increased calorie requirements).

3. General information for light delivery riders

3.1 Guidelines for courier workers (messengers and delivery workers)
3.1.1 Safe Newspaper Delivery Initiative
Title: Safe Newspaper Delivery Initiative
Organisations: Canterbury City Council, Kent County Council
Country: UK
Type of organisation: Local authorities
Resource type: Information pack
Reference/link: http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpage.php?id=2892&zm=4&prn=y
The good practice recommendations: Recommendations are summarised below.
1. Checklist for carrying out risk assessment for taxi drivers and transport of people with a
disability (Checkliste til brug for APV på taxi og handicapområdet)
Organisation: BAR – transport og engross (Danish working environment council for the transport
and wholesale sector)
Country: Denmark
Type of organisation: Working environment council
Resource type: Checklist
Reference/link: http://www.bartransport.dk/Files/Billeder/BAR%20Transport/pdf/apv_taxi.pdf
Introduction
Canterbury and Kent councils produced this information pack to improve safety among newspaper
deliverers. The pack contains three guidance sheets: one for employers, one for newspaper delivery
workers and one for their parents or guardians (as such deliveries to private homes can be made by
schoolchildren aged 13 and above). Each guidance sheet gives information that is specifically relevant to
its target audience and includes details of where further information can be obtained.
The guidance sheet for employers gives instructions on the legal requirements and offers advice on risk
assessment; suggesting a number of control measures, such as:
 training;
 high visibility clothing, lights, etc., so paper deliverers are easier to see in the dark;
 bicycle safety checks; and
 restricting the weight of newspaper bags.
The guidance sheet for newspaper delivery workers highlights the hazards associated with poor road
surfaces and bad weather conditions. It gives advice on safety clothing and performing bicycle safety
checks, as well as making the following recommendations:
 Read and learn the Highway Code for young road users and always follow its rules;
 undertake cycling proficiency training;
 if you cannot carry all your newspapers, then split your round and come back for the second or third
bag. If you feel your round is excessively heavy, speak to your newsagent;

 do not ride your bicycle on pavements, unless there are special signs allowing you to do so;
 do not walk along poorly lit alleyways – take the safest route. It is a good idea to walk the route once
with your parents and discuss problem areas with them;
 be careful using staircases in blocks of flats – more accidents happen due to tripping than any other
way;
 take care on icy, wet, muddy and slippery roads and pavements;
 always use pedestrian crossings, where available, when crossing a road. If not, ensure you that you
cross in a safe place;
 do not talk to strangers. If you think you’re being followed, or feel threatened, make for a busy area or
go to the nearest house and ask for help, but do not enter it;
 do not use roller blades or listen to your personal stereo whilst delivering newspapers;
 if you carry a mobile phone, give your parents’ or your newsagent’s phone number a quick access
code, so you can contact them quickly in cases of emergency;
 do not touch dogs even if they appear friendly. Tell your newsagent if a dog is aggressive towards
you. If a dog bites you, make sure you go to hospital or your local health centre as soon as possible;
and
 make sure a member of your family or your newsagent knows you have finished your round.
The guidance sheet for parents and guardians consists of a summary of the previous two guidance
sheets referred to above. This enables parents and guardians to gain an understanding of the risks as
well as the responsibilities of their child and the employer. In addition, it recommends a number of safety
improvement measures that parents and guardians can take, including:
 encourage your child to follow the recommendations given in the guidance sheet for delivery workers;
 provide your child with a cycle helmet which fits correctly, is in good condition and conforms to
European standards (or equivalent);
 perform regular bicycle safety checks;
 ensure you keep your child’s tetanus injection up to date, and take them directly to hospital or the
local health centre if they’re bitten by a dog or sustain any other serious injury; and
 make sure your child confirms their safe return home with a member of the family or trusted friend. If
they are unexpectedly late you should contact the newsagent immediately.
3.1.2 The most important message: your safety comes first (Primer
mensaje, tu seguridad ante todo)
Title: Primer mensaje, tu seguridad ante todo
Country: Spain
Organisation(s): FUNPRL, UGT, CCOO, AEM, SGS
Type of organisation: NGOs, trade union
Resource type: Study and guide
Target group: Employers, employees, policy makers
Reference/link: Material is not available online. The link below is a reference:
http://www2.fct.ccoo.es/salud_laboral_html/en_estudios.htm. Publication date: 2007
Contacts: Mercedes Rodríguez-Caro de la Rosa (director, SGS); Gabriel Moreno (expert, CCOO)
Type of risks/issues covered: All in the messenger sector (unwheeled, 2- and 4-wheeled).

The good practice recommendations:

For motorcycle riders:
 Equipment
 Use crash helmets, preferably integral, certified for this purpose. Do not use helmets designed for
other activities.
 For getting on and off the bike, use vehicle parts designated for this purpose.
 Lumbar braces can be very useful (for comfort and in accidents) on medium and long distance
journeys.
 In the traffic
 Ride with caution. Be more careful in adverse conditions.
 Make yourself visible to other drivers, wear reflecting clothes.
 In urban areas, keep to the right and drive in the centre of the lane. 2
 Use the indicator (or hand signal) in advance to inform other drivers of your manoeuvres.
 Respect the traffic lights.
 In bad weather:
 Drive slower and check tyre pressure and thread depth.
 Keep a longer distance from vehicles ahead.
 Turn on the lights to be as visible as possible.
 Maintenance
 Make a daily check of:
 Oil and fuel level
 Water
 Brake fluid and function
 Steering
 Make weekly check of:
 Tyre pressure and tread depth
 Battery and lights
 Spark plugs
 Spare parts
 Keep records on the vehicle so that the company can carry out regular maintenance. Inform the
employer of any faults or damage to the vehicle.
 To prevent vibration risks, ensure the seat and the shock absorbers are in good repair.
 Personal health
 Stay in good physical condition: exercise daily.
 Do not consume stimulants such as coffee or other caffeine-containing products.
2
Please note that in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus and Malta, drivers and motorcyclists must drive on the left hand side.

 Do not rub your eyes if you feel tired, because this may cause infection and conjunctivitis.
 Attend medical health checks organised by the employer.
 Consult your doctor about the effects on driving before taking any medicines.
 Do not drink any alcoholic beverage during working hours.

Recommendations for policy makers:
 More reliable accident rates for the sector are needed.
 Facilitate the association and cooperation of firms in order to enhance the introduction of OSH
measures, and meet requirements.
 Improve work organisation.
 Improve support from public authorities (local government designating parking and loading areas in
the city)
 Promote the training of OSH experts from the sector.
 Facilitate access to information on OSH legislation requirements in SMEs. Workers should receive
adequate information on risks, prevention measures, etc.
 Support the provision of traffic safety training courses.
There were also guidelines for van drivers etc.
3.1.3 TURJA – occupational safety at a Finnish news distributor (TURJA –

Työturvallisuuden kehittämishanke Alpress Oy:ssä)
Title: Työturvallisuuden kehittämishanke Alpress Oy:ssä (TURJA – Programme for the development of
occupational safety at Alpress Oy)
Organisation: Alpress Oy
Country: Finland
Type of organisation: newspaper delivery company
Resource type: good practice information
Reference/link: http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/proj2/yjs/dokumentit/Ruuhinlehto25112004.pdf
http://www.tsr.fi/files/Uutistori/tiedonsilta/2005_1/artikkelit/19lehdenjak.htm
http://www.mol.fi/jaksamisohjelma/kehittamishankkeet/hanke%20230%20loppurap.htm
Type of vehicle: all kinds of delivery work
Contacts: VTT: Kaarin Ruuhilehto ([email protected]), Alpress Oy: Helena Kanervo
([email protected] ), Aamujakelu Oy: Kari Poutanen ([email protected]), Anne Nyysti
([email protected])
The good practice recommendations

The number of accidents in the newspaper delivery business is five times higher than that of the industry
in general. The aim of this programme was to raise the awareness of the workers about what they can do
to influence accident rates (‘every accident is unnecessary and avoidable’). Problems identified included
a lack of training of temporary staff, and in the case of experienced staff, the tendency to take risks by
taking shortcuts or using non-gritted roads in winter. It is also easy to use the weather as excuse for
accidents. However, when delivery workers realises that they have the power to reduce the accident risk
by themselves, they normally adopt safer working habits.

A preliminary programme was undertaken in 2002-2003 by Aamujakelu Oy, another newspaper delivery
company, known as the ‘endurance at work programme’. The following problems were identified:
 the physical load of the work
 bad working conditions
 night work and shifts
 ageing
 poor interaction between worker and superior
 little public appreciation of the work.
All these problems and the limited opportunities for the workers to influence their working conditions led
to high rates of sick leave, work accidents and high employee turnover.
During this programme teams were set up and developed an active and committed work community. The
methods used were:
 team-based training
 team cooperation in developing safety checklist, discussing abnormal situations like road works and
organising leave planning
 teams meeting where the workers actively developed ideas for wellbeing at work
 testing of new work schedules
 mapping of occupational accidents risk based on the checklist and a work ability index.
New delivery workers now receive on on-the-job training, which is repeated a few weeks later. Every
delivery worker was given a pocket light / head light, and heavily discounted winter tyres for their bicycle.
They were advised to use a helmet and anti-skid devices for their shoes (in winter).
The TURJA project was built on the first project and was carried out in 2004. The main goal of the project
was the further development of the checklist. For this purpose, a survey was carried out to get more data
about the risks and working conditions of delivery workers. The survey asked various questions about
working conditions and had space for the riders to make suggestions about improvements. The idea was
to gain more knowledge about the practical everyday work and working conditions, including routines,
clothing, means of transportation, conditions on the delivery run, etc. The following topics were
considered in detail:
1) Weather conditions
 Availability of training in: weather conditions, slippery stairs, snow on shoes
 Use of: anti-skid devices, winter wheels for bicycles, helmet
 Possible impact on the employer on the maintenance of the real estate
 Possible impact of the delivery worker on the sanding of the real estate
2) Conditions on the delivery location
 Presence of rubbish on ground
 Are mailboxes placed in rows one on top of the other? (risk of accidents)
 Whether mailboxes are designed and positioned safely so that they don’t pose a risk for mail
deliverer
 Whether the ground in front of mailboxes is gritted in icy weather or snow removed
 Whether training is available on these issues
3) Hindrances/barriers
 Whether training is available on barriers and other risks on staircases
4) Darkness

 In the case of time switched staircase lights, is there enough time for the postman/woman to get up
the stairs safely?
 Availability of pocket lights
 Is there training available on these and similar issues?
5) Traffic
 Use of: safety belts, public streets
 Is the visibility of traffic a risk?
6) Floor/ground condition
 Availability of training in moving forward on sloping surfaces in slippery conditions, in safe climbing of
stairs (no jumping up two or three steps at a time), necessity to be careful on uneven surfaces.
7) Violence / dogs /hoodlums
 Availability of regular safety training, training on how to act in difficult situations
 Availability of safety devices
3.1.4 Comprehensive OSH advice to couriers and messengers

(Jakelusuora oy – tyosuojeluohje)
Title: Jakelusuora oy – tyosuojeluohje, Jakesuluora – OSH regulations
Organisation: Jakelusuora
Country: Finland
Type of organisation: Delivery company
Resource type: Guideline
Reference/link: http://www.jakelusuora.fi/tyonhakijalle/tyosuojeluohje/
Type of vehicle: all kinds of delivery work
This guide, established by a delivery company, provides additional information to the special delivery
guidance issued by the company to its workers. The guide describes the basic topics to consider before
and during delivery work, and what to do in unusual situations.
The following aspects are particularly important:
 The delivery worker should know his/her distribution area very well
 The distribution route chosen should be appropriate for the means of transportation used
 The worker should be trained in the correct methods of lifting and carrying
 The worker should always carry a mobile phone with the number of the company programmed in
 Sorting of the delivery material should be done on a table, not on the floor.
Before delivery
The guide gives advice on things the worker should check before doing the job, such as:
 Weather conditions
 If clothes are appropriate for the weather; if not they should be changed for more suitable ones, e.g.
waterproof garments during rain
During delivery

During the delivery the worker should consider the following aspects when using one of the following
means of transportation:
 A car: proper loading of the material
 A trolley: use of brakes
 A bicycle: use of winter tyres, helmets, need for proper accident insurance
Clothing
When it comes to clothing, it is important to consider the following:
 Clothes: dress according to the weather; wear well fitting and breathable clothes
 Shoes: robust, non-slip, no high heels. Anti-slip devices in winter
 Gloves: as protection against printer’s ink, cuts from rope and sharp edges of mail boxes, and cold
weather
Safety
To keep on top of accident risks the following aspects should be considered:
 The worker should know how long timed staircase lights remain on
 The worker should not put fingers into mail slots because there could be a dog on the other side
 Problems in the distribution area and in private gardens should be reported to those responsible for
property management and to the delivery company (e.g. rubbish on the ground that could pose a risk
of tripping)
 Problems with people should also be reported to the property management and to the delivery
company
 If the postman/woman cannot gain entrance to a building (e.g. because the front door is locked) it
should be also reported
 If there are any dogs off the lead, the worker should not enter the area
 If the worker encounters difficult (e.g. drunk) people he or she should try to stay calm and leave the
area immediately. The worker should behave politely in case of negative comments or reactions
 The worker should never enter the apartments or houses of unknown people
 After the delivery round has been completed, the hands should be washed.
3.2. Checklists for courier workers

3.2.1 Checklist for transport of goods: post courier
Title: Checklist for transport of goods: post courier
Organisation: Working Environment Authority (WEA)
Country: Denmark
Type of organisation: Government department
Resource type: Guideline, checklist
Reference/link: http://www.at.dk/graphics/at/pdf/checklister-apv/transport-af-gods-apv.pdf (Checklist)
http://www.at.dk/sw5778.asp (Guideline)
Type of vehicle: all kinds of delivery vehicles
This is a checklist plus a template for an action plan as regulated by law. The questions on the checklist
are formulated as closed questions (requiring yes/no answers – see the first 3 examples) and must all be
answered. All questions answered with a ‘yes’ point at an OSH problem, which has to be solved

according to an action plan the enterprise has to develop. The plan has to be agreed by both the
employer and the employee.
The list consists of several categories and subcategories including:
Accidents (8 questions)
 Are workplace accidents analysed to prevent similar accidents in future?
 Does the workplace have any employees who have received no instruction and who are not
skilled/trained for the work they have to do?
 Are there any employees who do not have enough time to carry out their tasks in a safe way?
o Transport in the workplace
o Slips, trips, fall and similar
 Physical working environment (11 questions)
o Heavy lifting
o Pushing and pull
o Working postures
 Vibrations (1 question)
 Temperature (1 question)
 Children and youth (9 questions)
o Instruction and supervision
o Age limit
o Physical working environment
o Working time
Psychosocial working environment (11 questions)
o Too many tasks
o Lack of influence
o Lack of support by colleagues and superiors
o Lack of variation
o Violence and threats
o Lone work
o Shift work
 Sickness absence (2 questions)
 Other (here it is pointed out that there are special rules for pregnant workers)
An action plan has to be developed for each critical point by determining the cause/reason for the
problem; the solution to the problem; the responsible person; and a timetable and priorities for solving the
problem.
In addition to the checklist, there are also guidelines referring to the most typical problems faced by the
sector, and advice on how they might be solved.
3.2.2 Risk assessment for newspaper delivery (Sicherheitsbeurteilung

Zeitungszusteller)
Title: Sicherheitsbeurteilung für Zeitungszusteller
Organisation: BG Druck- und Papierverarbeitung (BGDP; institution for statutory accident insurance and
prevention in the printing and paper industry)

Country: Germany
Type of organisation: Accident insurance institution
Resource type: Guideline, checklist
Reference link: http://www.bgdp.de/pages/medien/branchenauswahl/zeitungszustellung_mliste.htm
Direct: http://www.bgdp.de/pages/service/download/medien/230-13.pdf
Type of vehicle: all kinds of delivery vehicles

These guidelines provide help in assessing the risks faced by workers in the newspaper delivery sector.
The aim is to simplify the assessment of risks and hazards in this sector. Issues listed in the guidelines
can be checked and deficiencies highlighted so that the necessary steps can be taken early.
The guideline provides a checklist for newspaper delivery by foot, by bike, motorcycle and car, and
covers the following issues:
 Slips, trips and falls
 Weather condition
 Lighting conditions
 Manual handling
 Climatic conditions (heat and cold)
 Aggression/assaults
 Dog attack
 Road safety
 Loading of vehicles (esp. bicycles and motorcycles)
 Use of safety helmets/head injuries
 Ergonomic issues
 Organisational issues
 Psychological issues
The overall aim is to make people think ahead to avoid accidents, rather than having the accident and
learning the hard way.
3.3 Equipment for courier workers

3.3.1 Safe equipment for newspaper delivery (Sicherheitsartikel für
Zeitungszusteller/Zeitungszustellerinnen)
Title: Sicherheitsartikel für Zeitungszusteller/Zeitungszustellerinnen (Safe equipment for
newspaper delivery)
Organisation: BG Druck- und Papierverarbeitung (Institution for statutory accident insurance and
prevention in the printing and paper industry)
Country: Germany
Resource type: Brochure
Reference link: http://www.bgdp.de/pages/medien/branchenauswahl/zeitungszustellung_mliste.htm

Type of vehicle: all kinds of delivery

This brochure provides tips on safe equipment for messengers, as well as information on where to get
further advice. Items covered include:
 Safety vests
 Anti-slip devices for shoes
 Reflective clothes and accessories
 Raincoats
 Special lights for bicycles
 Bicycle helmets
 Head lights
3.4 Studies on courier workers

3.4.1 Analysis of accidents in courier companies (Siniestralidad en
empresas de mensajería)
Title: Siniestralidad en empresas de mensajería based on study: ‘Accidentes de tráfico en el sector de la
mensajería’
Country: Spain
Organisation(s): MTAS-INHST (government bodies: Spanish Ministry of Labour -National Institute of
Safety and Hygiene at Work) (for the publication); Ayuntament de Barcelona (Town Hall) – RACC
Automóvil Club (NGO) (for the study)
Type of organisation: Partnership of national and local government, government OSH institute and
motoring NGO.
Type of resource: Brief e-newspaper article (publication) study (original data – not available
online)
Target group: Policy makers
Reference link:
http://www.bcn.es/infotransit/pacte/catala/documents%20pacte/forum%20barcelona%20de%20seguridad
%20vial.%2010%20anos%20de%20forum.pdf. Publication date: 2000
Authors (of the study): Ayuntament de Barcelona – RACC Automóvil Club (2000)
Type of risks/issues covered: Traffic accidents and underlying causes
Study findings:
The study outlined a risk profile of messenger workers:
 young (18-30 years old);
 temporary worker (at the courier company);
 planning to get another, steady job;
 working around 8 hours in the period between 8 am and 8 pm;
 travelling about 150 km daily, on a moped.
Additional risk factors:
 The vehicles are owned by the courier, and are not suitable for continuous use.
 There is no obligatory vehicle inspection for mopeds (in Spain).

 Time constraints results in the breaking of traffic rules.

 Payment is based on performance, which depends on the speed of completion of a job.
3.4.2 Preventing harm to messengers: Ergonomic study on the prevention

of professional risks (Le métier de coursier et ses pratiques de prévention.
Étude ergonomique pour la prévention des risques professionnels)
Title: Le métier de coursier et ses pratiques de prévention. Étude ergonomique pour la prévention des
risques professionnels
Country: France
Organisation(s): SNTL, CRAMIF, CRAMTS
Type of organisation: Trade union, accident insurance company
Format: study
Target group: Employers
Reference/link:
http://www.risque-routier.com/etudes/Metier_coursier_et_prevention.pdf. Publication date: 2004
Authors: Laurent Van Belleghem, Fabrice Bourgeois
Type of risks/issues covered: Stress and haste originating from work organisation and company
attitude.
The main message of this study is that routes should be planned carefully to minimise the need for
couriers to rush. This provides benefits for the customer, who will receive a better quality service with
minimal delay, and for the courier who will have a less stressful journey because everything has been
done to avoid unnecessary obstacles that might force him/her to speed to make up lost time.
Recommendations for drivers and their employers include:
 Riders should use a crash helmet with wide field of view to gain maximum visual information from
sides and front; type of crash helmet should be specified
 Riders should be technically proficient at maintaining your vehicle so you can be confident it is in
good working order all the time; they will need instruction and training
 Riders should take full advantage of being on a two-wheeled vehicle; not having to stick to a pre-
planned route and being able to exit a traffic jam to take an alternative route – route planning should
be intelligent and focus on manoeuvrability rather than speed, i.e. routes should not be fixed, but
should be specified to include a range of possible adjustments and flexibility according to the
circumstances; speed as the solution should be discouraged
 Riders should be encouraged to ride intelligently to cut down on fuel use; the message is that
speeding is costly in terms of petrol and does not necessarily save time
 Riders need to know the tactics of how to ride a safe path through traffic jams, utilizing spaces safely,
where cars move at variable speeds and may suddenly change speed, knowing how to manoeuvre
safely if a car makes an unexpected move
 Riders need to know how to identify risky paths e.g. staying directly behind a four-wheeled vehicle or
trying to use the side land, and to anticipate the behaviour of four-wheel vehicles through visual signs
and speed differences.
The document also considers the use of bus-lanes by couriers.

3.5 Young workers and courier activities

3.5.1 Information about youth at work (Vejledning om unges arbejde)
Title: Information about youth at work (Vejledning om unges arbejde)
Organisation: BAR Transport og engross (Working Environment Council, Transport and Wholesale
sector)
Country: Denmark
Type of organisation: Organisation of the social partners in transport and wholesale
Resource type: Guidelines
Reference/link:
http://bar.net.dynamicweb.dk/Files/Billeder/BAR%20Transport/pdf/vejledning_om_unges_arbejde.pdf
http://www.bartransport.dk/
Risks or topics covered: OSH-regulation and problems for youth particularly in this branch
Contact: Eva Hjermitslev, H. C. Andersens Boulevard 18, 1787 København V, Phone 3377 3377, Fax
3377 3370, e-mail [email protected]
The good practice recommendations
The Working Environment Council for Transport and Wholesale sector is one of 11 Branch Working
Environment Councils that are part of the official Danish OSH-system and are administered by the social
partners. This web resource is targeted at young workers in the transport sector, since the risk of
accidents is comparatively high for youthful members of this sector.
The guidelines include a section with general information about working conditions for young people
(aged 13-15 years and over 15 years), broken down into:
 information for parents
 working time
 instruction and supervision.
There is also information on specific issues relevant to young workers in the sector, such as:
 heavy lifting, pushing & pulling (packaging newspapers and post, post, use of post cart)
 technical equipment
 cleansing agents
 clothing.
3.5.2 Working conditions in courier companies (Condiciones de trabajo en

las empresas de mensajería)
Title: Condiciones de trabajo en las empresas de mensajería: Juventud y prevención de riesgos
laborales; algunas consideraciones en relación al primer empleo
Country: Spain
Organisation: MTAS
Type of organisation: Government institute
Format: Column in a publication on young workers
Target group: Scientific community
Reference/link: http://www.injuve.mtas.es/injuve/contenidos.downloadatt.action?id=1769996675

Publication date: 2003

Author: Pilar Nova Melle
Type of risks/issues covered: Young workers and messenger work.
No advice, but it contains an overview of the risks in the sector, which has a high number of young
workers.
Risk factors include:
 precarious employment
 subcontracting
 noise
 vibration
 manual handling of loads
 stress
 pressure to work quickly; continuous monitoring with GPS leading to rapid work pace.
3.5.3 Health and Safety for Young Workers

Title: Health and Safety for Young Workers
Organisation: GMB
Country: UK
Type of organisation: Trade union
Reference/link: http://www.gmbunion.org/hns/bulpdf/addpdf/young_workers.pdf
Type of vehicle: Bicycle and motorcycle
The guide covers various aspects of young worker safety. The parts on rider safety are reproduced in full
below.
Delivery and courier work:
Delivery and courier work can range from delivering fast food such as pizzas or parcels and post. Many
young workers use push bikes or motorcycles as their mode of transport. Apart from the obvious hazard
of road accidents, the main problem for delivery workers is the pressure to deliver items under tight
deadlines, in the case of pizzas within half an hour. This pressure can increase the risk of road accidents
and cause a great deal of stress. Other hazards include working outside in extremes of weather;
accidents due to poorly maintained bikes; violence from other road users - so-called “road rage”; and
traffic pollution.
Working on the road:
Delivery riders and couriers must be given realistic delivery targets that account for increased traffic
levels and road conditions. Push bikes and motor cycles must be roadworthy and regularly maintained.
Riders should be provided with protective equipment such as high visibility jackets. There should be
means of communicating with the work base in emergencies such as accidents or violent incidents.

3.6 Road safety for couriers and light delivery riders

3.6.1 Understanding road safety issues for courier and food delivery riders
and delivery businesses in London
Title: Understanding road safety issues for courier and food delivery riders and delivery businesses in
London
Organisation: Transport for London
Country: UK
Type of organisation: Statutory body
Resource type: Research summary document: London Road Safety Unit – Research Summary No 10,
November 2007.
Reference/link: http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/courier-riders-summary.pdf
Document overview:
Transport for London recognised that to improve road safety and reduce accident among cyclists and
motorcyclists occupational activities had to be considered too. Courier and food delivery companies and
their riders are very different and they need to be considered separately when planning road safety
initiatives. The document summarises the finding of a survey that Transport for London conducted in
2006, to gain a greater understanding of London-based courier and food delivery businesses using
powered two-wheelers (P2W), and cycle delivery riders. The conclusions drawn are reproduced in full
below.
Conclusions
P2W and cycle riders are two of the most vulnerable road user groups in London. The research was
undertaken to provide a greater understanding of P2W and cycle delivery riders and delivery companies.
The findings show that there are a substantial number of delivery riders in London and important
differences exist between the courier and food delivery sectors.
The vast majority of delivery riders in London ride P2Ws, with very few delivering on cycles. Estimates
suggest there could be about 13,200 P2W food delivery riders, over twice as many as the estimated
6,100 P2W courier riders. Therefore, there are a large number of professional delivery riders in London
and they are a worthwhile group for targeted road safety initiatives, especially initiatives aimed at P2W
riders.
Food delivery riders tend to be younger, hold provisional licences, and have less riding and delivery
experience than courier riders. Courier riders work longer hours and cover more miles per shift. Both the
relative inexperience of food delivery riders and the higher on-road exposure for courier riders are
significant collision risk factors. Therefore, it is important to understand these differences and take them
into account when designing road safety initiatives for delivery riders in the different sectors.
Data on collisions reported by delivery companies suggests that very few riders are involved in incidents
while working. When they do occur, the outcome is likely to involve vehicle damage rather than personal
injury. Courier companies reported a higher number of rider collisions as well as a higher number of rider
days lost through collisions. These findings may have been influenced by several factors. First, because
courier riders work more hours and ride more miles per shift, they have a higher exposure to road traffic
collisions. Second, although fewer courier companies were included in the survey, there were
substantially more riders per company, on average, compared to food delivery companies. Therefore, it is
reasonable to expect that with more courier riders, there would also be more reported collisions. Finally,
there is currently no industry-wide standard for reporting or recording collisions. Therefore, it is difficult to
know whether or not the higher incidence of courier rider collisions is due to the existence of a systematic
bias in collision reporting.
Clear differences were found in the structure of the two workforces, and these differences have
implications for the effective targeting of road safety initiatives. Courier riders are generally full-time

freelance contractors. They are responsible for undertaking their own training, and for providing and
maintaining their own vehicles and safety equipment. Food delivery riders are generally contracted part-
time employees. They rely on their company to provide the necessary vehicles and equipment, and to
offer formal guidance and training. And indeed, the results showed that food delivery companies are
more likely to provide their riders with equipment and training. However, it is unclear what training is
offered and whether it is appropriate or fulfils the riders’ needs.
These differences need to be considered when designing initiatives to promote road safety to delivery
riders. To effectively address road safety issues for food delivery riders, initiatives should primarily be
targeted at the company, because food delivery companies are responsible for providing training and
maintaining vehicles and safety equipment. Road safety initiatives aimed at courier riders should be
targeted at not only the company, but also at individual riders who are responsible for their own training
and maintenance vehicles and safety equipment.
3.6.2 Dos and don’ts for newspaper delivery workers – a list of tips (Regeln
für Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenträger)
Title: Regeln für Zeitungs- und Zeitschriftenzusteller – Anregungen für die Unterweisung
Organisation: Berufsgenossenschaft Druck und Papier (statutory accident insurance for the printing
industry)
Country: Germany
Resource type: Advice leaflet
Reference/link: www.bgdp.de/pages/service/download/medien/419.pdf
Type of vehicle: All courier vehicles
This leaflet provides tips for newspaper deliverers on how to work safely. It helps employers to instruct
their deliverers. It covers:
 Appropriate clothes and shoes
 Delivery by foot
 Delivery by bicycle
 Hazards in houses
 Bad weather conditions
 Dog attacks
4. Special information on delivery by bicycles

4.1 Guidelines for bicycle couriers
4.1.1 Delivering mail by bike (Post-Biker auf Zustelltour)
Title: Post-Biker auf Zustelltour
Organisation: Unfallkasse Post – Statutory accident insurance institution for the mail industry
Country: Germany
Type of organisation: Insurance institutions

Reference/link: http://ukpt.vur.jedermann.de/index.jsp
Type of vehicle: Bicycle
This leaflet contains a lot of helpful safety and health information for postmen and women delivering mail
by bike. It starts with an overview of the things they should check before starting work. This safety
checklist includes 11 questions, such as ‘do the brakes work?’ and ‘does the light work?’ It also describes
what to do when a fault is detected.
The second section is about how to load a mail bike safely. It mentions, for example, that the maximum
weight should be 30 kg in front and 20 kg at the back, and explains how to arrange the load properly.
This section is followed by a description of how to get on the bike, ride it safely, get off the bike safely and
park it safely.
The fourth section goes more deeply into the question of how to cycle safely in traffic, pointing out the
importance of following the rules of the road, and of getting off and walking the bike in pedestrian areas.
Handling difficult road and weather conditions is described in the fifth section. It reminds the cyclist to
cycle even more carefully in these circumstances. Section 6 contains more safety advice, for example the
importance of wearing proper shoes and clothing.
Last but not least there are two sections on contact persons for safety at work. Section seven lists the job
titles that are responsible for safety and health, and in section 8 there is space for workers to fill in these
contact details for their own company for easy reference when needed.
4.1.2 Specialist checks for postmen on bikes – doing the rounds without
risks (Präventionsfachleute untersuchten Post-Bikes – Zustellung ohne
Risiko)
Title: Präventionsfachleute untersuchten Post-Bikes – Zustellung ohne Risiko
Organisation: Unfallkasse Post und Telekom (statutory accident insurance institution for the post and
telecoms industry)
Country: Germany
Type of organisation: Statutory accident insurance institution
Resource type: Study
Reference/link: http://www.ukpt.de/pages/publikationen/zeitung.php?mid=20070108
Type of vehicle: bicycles
German post delivery companies provide bicycles for their postmen and women that are tailored to
specific needs. As a matter of course the bicycles have to meet road traffic regulations concerning
brakes, lights, rear reflectors, bells, and installations for saddle bags. In addition the bicycles are all
adapted to the individual size of each rider to prevent ergonomic problems. Special bikes are provided for
specific conditions, e.g. mountain bikes in hilly areas and heavy bikes where there are unusual loads to
be carried.
It is especially crucial to check the bicycles regularly and to keep them properly serviced.
In 2005 the statutory accident insurance for the post and telecoms industry inspected 65 post delivery
companies and checked the bicycles. The result was very positive: in nearly all companies the bicycles
were in a good condition!
The study provides 11 points for safety checks for bicycles:

1. Brakes: are they fully functional? Do they seize? Front wheel? Back wheel?
2. Pedals: are they non-slip and undamaged?
3. Handlebars: are the handlebar ends fixed?
4. Wheels: are they undamaged?
5. Tyre pressure: is their enough tyre pressure?
6. Kick-stand: does the kick-stand work?
7. Mudguards: are they fixed and in the right position?
8. Bicycle chain: is the bicycle chain tight?
9. Lights: do the lights work?
10. Do the wheel spokes have reflectors for safety?
11. Bell: does the bike have a bell and does it work?
4.1.3 Tips for bicycle courier companies (Radgeber für

Fahrradkurierdienste)
Title: Radgeber Fahrradkurierdienste
Organisation: bdf – Bundesverband der Fahrradkurierdienste e.V
Country: Germany
Type of organisation: „Netzwerk Fahrradkuriere NRW’ (network for bicycle messengers). 3
Resource type: Brochure
Reference/link: http://www.netzwerk-fahrradkuriere.de/obj/Dokumente/Radgeber.pdf
Type of vehicle: Bicycle
Contact: bdf – Bundesverband der Fahrradkurierdienste, Am Bahnhof 2, 33602 Bielefeld,
http://www.bdfev.de/
The brochure is aimed at people who want to start a courier company, and it provides a great deal of
important background information necessary to do so successfully. It starts with the points that should be
considered before starting a company, such whether one is suitably qualified and what one’s aims and
motives are. It lists the characteristics of ‘good’ bicycle messenger services, then gives information and
tips about:
 carrying out orders
 selecting drivers and workers
 accountancy
 working conditions of employees
 how to acquire appropriate bicycles
 appropriate equipment for drivers and bicycles
3
Run by bdf – Bundesverband der Fahrradkurierdienste e.V. (Federal association for bicycle couriers) in cooperation with the
Institute for Social Research in Duisburg (Rhein-Ruhr-Institut für Sozialforschung und Politikberatung (RISP) financed by North
Rhine-Westphalia Government, Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, Agriculture and Consumer Protection (Ministerium für
Umwelt und Naturschutz, Landwirtschaft und Verbraucherschutz des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen).

 tips for winter working

 being self-employed
 formations of courier companies.
4.2. Road safety for bicycle couriers

4.2.1 See and Be Seen: Cycling safely in bad weather (Radfahren bei
schlechter Sicht – sehen und gesehen werden)
Title: Radfahren bei schlechter Sicht – sehen und gesehen warden
Organisation: BG Druck- und Papierverarbeitung (statutory accident insurance institution in the printing
and paper industry
Country: Germany
Resource type: Leaflet
Reference/link: http://www.bgdp.de/pages/service/download/medien/433.pdf
Type of vehicle: Bicycles
This leaflet informs cyclists about the increased risk of accidents when driving in bad weather and after
dark. Bike couriers are at particular risk of accidents because they often work/cycle in the early morning
hours, when it is still dark. One reason for road accidents is that bicycles are often overlooked by car
drivers, especially when it is dark, rainy or foggy. Accidents involving collisions between cars and bicycles
are often very serious for the cyclist.
Special risks and hazards for bicycle couriers and other cyclists also include cold, rain, darkness, ice,
snow and wet leaves on the road.
The statutory accident insurance institution for Germany’s printing and paper industry prepared this
leaflet in collaboration with the German road safety council (Deutscher Verkehrssicherheitsrat DVR). It
provides information for bicycle couriers regarding:
 General information about seeing in the dark
 Prevention measures: what should your employer do?
 What can you do (use special cycle paths, wear a helmet etc.)?
 Necessary equipments for bicycles
 Appropriate equipment for cyclists
 Tips on how to load the bicycle
4.3 Equipment for bicycle couriers and drivers

4.3.1 Accessories for Bike Patrol
Title: Accessories for Bike Patrol
Organisation: IPBMA (International Police Mountain Bike Association)
Country: USA
Type of organisation: Association
Resource type: Guidance leaflet

Reference/link: IPBMA website http://www.ipmba.org/reviews-accessories-0510.htm

This article provides information concerning the equipment necessary for safe bicycle patrolling for
security organisations.
The use of bicycles by police, emergency medical services and private security personnel continues to
grow, along with increased awareness of the benefits of an extremely mobile team of first responders.
While the reasons for implementing a bicycle unit may vary, the goal of each agency is the same: to
provide assistance to those who need it as quickly, safely and effectively as possible.
In the past, officers and agencies seeking to get a public safety bike unit rolling had to look far and wide
to assemble the necessary information. The Complete Guide to Public Safety Cycling, Second Edition is
the single comprehensive source of in-depth information on starting a bike unit or enhancing an
established bike unit with tactical and technical tips on everything from basic equipment needs to detailed
insights on policy, maintenance, training, legal issues, and much more.
The document includes information on:
 saddles
 lighting system,
 bike accessories
 sirens
 pedal retention
 tyres
 rear racks/bags
 hydration
 front shocks or front-end suspensions
 a rear mount kickstand
 bar extenders
 tyre repair kits
 adjustable stems
 cycle/trip computers
 All general aspects of public safety cycling such as bicycle types and maintenance, hazard
avoidance, skill development, protective equipment, funding, and bike safety education for children
 Police-specific equipment, patrol procedures, campus and security operations and firearms training
 Important information on emergency medical services (EMS) bike operations.
It also covers topics such as the history of police cycling, how to start a public safety unit, bikes,
equipment and uniforms, vehicular cycling, technical cycling, patrol procedures, bicycle law enforcement,
and more.
4.3.2 Bicycle couriers provided with GPS alarms (Avisbude udstyres med
gps-alarmer)
Title: Avisbude udstyres med gps-alarmer
Organisation: Fagligt Faelles Forbund (the trade union organising bicycle couriers)
Country: Denmark
Type of organisation: Trade union
Resource type: GPS safety alarm

Reference/link: http://forsiden.3f.dk/article/20071120/TELEGRAMMER/71120016&profile=2140
Type of vehicle: Bicycles, From Karsten Christensen, NET-Redaktionen (3F)
Denmark’s biggest newspaper distributor Bladkompagniet (Newspaper Company), has provided its
bicycle couriers with global positioning system (GPS) alarms, so that head office can always pinpoint
where a courier is. This means that the police can reach the courier quickly in an emergency. The
initiative came after nine serious assaults were sustained by couriers working for the company. The trade
union also believes that couriers should be trained in handling incidents.
4.4 Training for bicycle couriers

4.4.1 Different concepts of endurance training (Ausdauertraining –
verschiedene Konzepte)
Title: Ausdauertraining – verschiedene Konzepte
Organisation: Fahrradkurier.info
Country: Germany
Type of organisation: Bike courier association
Resource type: Homepage/Information page on the web
Reference/link: http://www.fahrradkurier.info/pageID_4067350.html
This website contains information and tips for bicycle messengers on endurance training, speed training,
interval training and concentration exercises.
There is a detailed training plan for the endurance and interval training, with nine 9 different concentration
exercises described so that each cyclist can choose the best one for him/herself. People who are
interested in finding out more about the different types of bikes can find a short description of 17 different
bikes from the touring bike to the conference-bike to the exercise bike.
The training plan is designed to allow for year-round training of varying intensity depending on the
season. It also includes other types of sports in order to improve biking skills. The cyclist can choose
between three different training methods: The ‘continuity’ method, the ‘interval’ method or the ‘repetition’
method.
4.4.2 Special training on safe cycling for post carriers (Spezielles Training
für Zusteller – Sicher auf dem Post-Bike)
Title: Spezielles Training – Sicher auf dem Post-Bike
Organisation: Unfallkasse Post und Telekom (statutory accident insurance institution for the post and
telecoms sector)
Country: Germany
Resource type: Reference/link: http://www.ukpt.de/pages/publikationen/zeitung.php?mid=20030312


The statutory accident insurance organisation for Germany’s post and telecoms sector provides special
training for postmen and women who deliver letters by bike. The training includes a theoretical and a
practical part and takes about four hours. The participants learn about how to load a bike, appropriate
clothes and shoes, and legal questions that may affect them. The practical element of the training takes
place on a special training course. The participants learn how to avoid obstacles and change direction
quickly. They are taught how to cycle safely on bendy roads and how to stop safely.
The training aims to help bicycle mounted mail deliverers to:
 use ergonomic positions
 increase their cycling skills
 avoid overestimating their capabilities
 handle difficult situations
 think about their own cycling behaviour
 reduce anxieties.
5. Special information for delivery by motorcycle

5.1 Guidelines for motorcycle delivery
5.1.1 Electric bikes take the strain for mail carriers (Akkuleistung ersetzt
Muskelkraft – E-Biker auf Zustelltour)
Title: Akkuleistung ersetzt Muskelkraft – E-Biker auf Zustelltour
Organisation: Unfallkasse Post und Telekom (statutory accident insurance institution for post and
telecoms sector)
Country: Germany
Type of organisation: Statutory accident insurance
Resource type: Guidelines/leaflet
Reference/link: http://www.ukpt.de/pages/publikationen/zeitung.php?mid=20070407
Type of vehicle: Electric bicycle
This leaflet describes the advantages of an electric bike for postmen and women. The bikes enable the
mail deliverer to complete a long round over hilly countryside without becoming exhausted. It explains
that an electric bike can reach speeds of up to 8 km/h if one only uses the motor, and even more if the
cyclist pedals as well.
Riding the bike does not require a licence, but the conventional traffic rules must be obeyed. This leaflet
informs postal workers about the safety rules and other things to know about the use of an electric bike.
5.1.2 Pizza delivery - company OSH policy

Title: Pizza delivery by motorcycle
Organisation: PHC Franchised Restaurants, Nicosia
Country: Cyprus
Type of organisation: Company

Resource type: Case study of a company OSH activiity

Reference/link: http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/GPB06
Type of vehicle: Motorcycle
According to this case study, the company’s safety policy on pizza delivery covers what safety conditions
must be checked on vehicles, and other issues, including violence to staff, for example:
 Ensuring the maintenance and condition of delivery vehicles, for example are they: clean; tyres in
good condition, head lights, brake lights and all other lights and indicators working properly
 Checking that engine’s oil and water level are within the appropriate limits
 Checking that all bike’s accessories such as horn, mirrors etc are in good working condition
 Ensuring that the insulated food carrying box is clean and closed properly
 Immediate reporting of any damage or malfunction of the bike
 Approval of helmets by the company’s health and safety officer
 Compliance by drivers of traffic laws and regulations and responsibility of drivers for any traffic
violations
 Ensuring that the delivery route is decided before the driver leaves the shop
 Instructions in case of an accident: the driver must never let himself get involved in a dispute with the
other party, never assume responsibility for the accident and only answer questions to police officers
and his manager
 Maintenance of a log book by managers at each shop for all information related to drivers (personal
details, complaints from customers, complaints from the public etc)
 Ensuring the competence of drivers to apply the necessary procedures regarding customer service
and other company and restaurant policies is checked
 Instructions to avoid violence and robbery, for example: never handling money in public view parking
in well light places; being aware of any suspicious persons; never entering customer’s houses or flats
 Instructions that if there is any indication that a delivery might endanger a driver it should not be
carried out and that if a driver feels weary of a situation to inform the manager and leave the area
immediately
 Instructions regarding what to do in the case of robbery, for example: remain calm; cooperate with
the robber; try to make as many observations about the robber as possible
 Instructions to avoid unnecessary stops, for example: filling up with gas at the beginning of their shift;
never taking on another passenger; never offering help unless it is an emergency
 Instructions on what to do if there is no answer at a place of delivery, for example, the driver must
leave and inform the manager of the shop
 Instructions to wear uniforms
 Instruction regarding the safe parking of bikes
 Instructions to van drivers regarding carrying spares and equipment in good condition in case of
break down: hydraulic jack; torch; spare tyre; coins for making emergency telephone calls
 Instructions to shift managers to check vehicles, especially: tyres; oil and water; brakes; lights;
indicators; horn; seat belts; mirrors; fenders; helmets and the chin clasp; any damage on the vehicles
seat or bumper shields
 Ensuring that vehicle parking places have fire extinguishers
 All accidents must be reported to the company Health and Safety Officer
 Instructions regarding assisting an injured person
 Instructions never to speed even if the order is late.

5.1.3 Safer motorcycling through work

Title: Safer motorcycling through work
Organisation: RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents)
Country: UK
Type of organisation: NGO
Resource type: Guidelines and practical advice for workplaces on how to promote safer motorcycling,
especially promoting a ‘motorcycle champion’ in organisations.
Reference/link: http://www.rospa.com/RoadSafety/info/motorcycling_through_work.pdf
This guidance is a practical resource designed to help people at work to save lives and reduce injuries by
promoting safer motorcycling initiatives via the workplace. It has been developed by RoSPA with the
government department for transport support and with input from motorcycle safety professionals and
other key stakeholders. The Guide is most suitable for someone who can act as a ‘safer motorcycling
champion’ within an organisation. This person may be at any level within the company, but will probably
be a keen motorcyclist. To help that person persuade senior management to take action, and to inform
and direct that action, the guide provides:
 facts and arguments to motivate key decision makers;
 ideas and suggestions on how to engage riders;
 options for promoting the safer motorcycling message;
 useful website links, both locally and nationally;
 information on safer motorcycling schemes;
 advice on how to get started and how to evaluate success; and
 case studies demonstrating ‘what works’.
6. General information for safe use of bicycles and

motorcycles
6.1 Road safety
6.1.1 Think road safety
Title: Think road safety
Organisation: Department for Transport (DfT)
Country: UK
Resource type: Campaign website
Reference/link: http://www.dft.gov.uk/think
Overview: The following text has been taken from the Department for Transport website with some
modifications.
The UK Government aimed to reduce road deaths and serious injuries by 40% (50% for children) by the
year 2010 (using the average for 1994-98 as the baseline). Key factors in achieving this objective were
improved road user behaviour and acceptance of engineering and enforcement initiatives that improve
road safety. Education and publicity play a key role in raising consumer awareness and acceptance.

The DfT’s basic approach has been national publicity using a mix of emotional appeals and facts that
raise the profile of road safety. They use a range of media channels – TV, radio, press, posters, ambient,
etc. – to provide a national platform to stimulate complementary regional and local authority activity and
to encourage private sector companies to cascade messages to their employees and customers. A range
of free publicity material is made available to local authorities and others to promote consistency of
messages at national and local level. DfT have also entered into sports sponsorship with the Rugby
Football League and the English Football League to enable the messages to be delivered to a wider
audience using a celebrity-based approach.
Road Safety advertising has been a key priority for many years. In the past, advertising focused on
specific themes such as drink driving and seatbelts. In subsequent years DfT communicated many more
messages – such as the dangers of driving while tired and while using mobile phones. The DfT wanted
people to see that these specific messages were part of an overall campaign to improve road safety. So
in June 2000, the department launched a new campaign under one banner – THINK! – to unite their
various road safety messages.
The rationale for THINK!

The aim of the UK Government road safety campaigns is to reinforce the importance of drivers and other
road users taking responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of others on the road. In the wider
context, the theme of personal and social responsibility is central to the Government’s philosophy and to
its transport policies to encourage more responsible travel choices.
The need to get more people walking or cycling instead of driving makes it even more important to
promote safety for more vulnerable road users, and responsible and considerate behaviour on the part of
drivers.
Road safety publicity campaigns raise public awareness that accidents do not just happen; rather they
are caused. Public awareness campaigns can help to influence the attitudes and behaviours that cause
accidents and they create public acceptance for safety engineering and police enforcement. They also
give a national focus and context for local initiatives aimed at making the roads safer and for third parties
to carry road safety messages in the context of their own commercial activities.
The THINK! campaign was therefore launched:
 To contribute to achieving the targets for road casualty reduction by 2010, as set out in the UK
Government’s policy strategy document Tomorrow's roads: safer for everyone.
 To use all the marketing tools available to get road safety messages across effectively and
meaningfully.
 To draw together a wide range of road safety messages under a single concept.
 To get across specific advice to road users while impressing on all the need to THINK! while using
the road.
 To help to stimulate a year-round presence under a new road safety brand.
 To encourage new partnerships to associate with the brand in promoting road safety.
The THINK! campaign is not about the motorist as such, or the pedestrians, or cyclists, motorcyclists,
etc. It is about people, about the citizen, about each and every one of us. It is about how we all use our
roads safely, whether we happen to be motoring, walking or cycling. This is mainly to build a mood of
‘we’re all in it together’ to have greater overall effect.
6.1.2 Tomorrow’s roads: safer for everyone

Title: Tomorrow’s roads: safer for everyone
Organisation: Department for Transport
Country: UK


Resource type: Road safety strategy
Reference/link:
http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/strategytargetsperforma
nce/tomorrowsroadssaferforeveryone
Recommendations are summarised below.
The Department for Transport set a 10-year target and produced a road safety strategy to reduce
casualties on UK roads. The strategy document covers all forms of road transport and provides an
extensive array of road safety statistics. Chapters 8 and 9 refer to motorcycles and bicycles respectively.
Although the focus of the document is on road safety in general as opposed to work-related road safety, it
does consider occupational motorcycle use and refers to two codes of practice ‘the Courier Code’, in
conjunction with the Despatch Association and the Code of Practice for Home Delivery Operators and
Drivers, in conjunction with the Pizza and Pasta Association. Occupational bicycle use is not specifically
covered in this document.
The sections relating to occupational risk of motorcycle use are reproduced below:
Occupational risks
In 2008 the Department for Transport was considering whether additional measures were needed to
protect people who ride motorcycles or mopeds as part of their job. An inter-agency task group was to be
set up to advise government ministers and the Health and Safety Executive on the prevention of work-
related road incidents.
One thing to be looked at in particular was how road traffic law and health and safety law could dovetail
to protect the road safety of pizza delivery motorcycle riders. These riders are often learners on mopeds
who can get a provisional licence at the age of 16.
The DfT produced two voluntary codes of practice: the Courier Code, in conjunction with the Despatch
Association; and the Code of Practice for Home Delivery Operators and Drivers, in conjunction with the
Pizza and Pasta Association. They advise on good practice and set out both riders’ and employers’
responsibilities.
6.2 Safe use of motorcycles

6.2.1 A European agenda for motorcycle safety – The motorcyclists’ point
of view
Title: A European agenda for motorcycle safety – The Motorcyclists’ point of view
Organisation: Federation of European Motorcyclists Association (FEMA)
Country: FEMA is affiliated to 24 national riders’ rights organisations in 19 European countries.
Type of organisation: Riders’ rights organisation
Resource type: Research summary document
Reference/link: http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/docs/EAMS2007.pdf
This report conducts a detailed synopsis of motorcycle safety on Europe’s roads and makes a number of
recommendations for the development of future legislation and training. The report also provides an
analysis of accident data and examples of what FEMA considers to be effective safety initiatives.

Summary of accident analysis

The majority of motorcycle collisions with other vehicles were reported to be caused by lack of attention /
awareness on the part of the driver of the other vehicle. This may in part be due to vehicle design; A-
pillars 4 can obscure / hide motorcyclists and other vulnerable road users. It was recommended that
campaigns should be developed to raise motorists’ awareness of motorcycles (see TfL initiative below).
In the majority of accidents, motorcyclists come off the bike. Protective equipment attached to the
motorcycle, e.g. so called ‘leg protectors’ or airbags, was therefore considered less likely to be effective
than protective clothing.
A significant number of accidents were attributed to poor road design and maintenance. It was suggested
that ‘motorcycle-friendly’ road design, construction and maintenance could result in a significant reduction
in accidents.
Summary of recommendations for the development of future legislation
 Involve all motorcycle safety stakeholders from industry to end user and from national transport
authorities to local road safety experts in strategies aimed at finding the most appropriate solutions to
improve motorcycle safety.
 Standardise accident reporting throughout Europe to allow meaningful analysis and comparison.
 Improve monitoring of the effectiveness of road safety initiatives.
 Improve pre-licence rider training (see IRT initiative below).
 Engage experienced motorcyclists in accident investigations where motorcycles are involved.
 Example initiatives
The Initial Rider Training (IRT) outlines plans for a comprehensive, affordable and relevant European
model for pre-licence rider training. It is proposed that future pre-licence training should include topics
such as defensive riding, hazard awareness and collision avoidance strategies. It is also recommended
that post-licence training should be readily available.
Transport for London (TfL) commissioned a series of advertisements showing simulated crashes as a
way of bringing drivers’ attention to the problem of ‘not seeing’ the motorcyclist and for motorcyclists to
ride defensively. These were shown on television and in cinemas.
6.2.2 Proficient motorcycling: Poland (Motocyklista doskonały)

Title: Motocyklista doskonały
Organisation: David L. Hough – author of the book
Country: Poland
Type of organisation: Motorcycling online store
Resource type: Book
Reference/link: Motorcycling online store: http://sklep.scigacz.pl/motocyklista-doskonaly-poradnik-p-
7085.html
Although riding a motorcycle can be dangerous, it doesn’t have to be. This book provides readers with
important safety tips.
4
The A-pillar is the part of the car’s bodywork that surrounds the windscreen.

This is a useful book for anyone riding a motorcycle. It is well written, easy to read, illustrated with
pictures and diagrams, and covers motorcycle riding skills, techniques and rider attitude that are
necessary in daily riding.
Author focuses on such topics as surface hazards, weather problems, wild animals, carrying passengers
and group rides.
It also contains training exercises and riding tips that will prepare riders for any situation. By covering
such things as how a motorcycle balances and turns, to road hazards, riding conditions and how to
prepare for the unexpected, it gives the new and experienced rider a lot to think about and to learn. This
is a book about survival riding for the motorcyclist. The sections can be read individually to study specific
issues, or read cover to cover.
This book contains information that will be helpful to both beginner and experienced riders, ensuring their
well being in all conditions. The author is an experienced rider with over 30 years of riding to his credit.
6.2.3 A Polish website for safer motorbiking (Motocyklista doskonały)

Title: Motocyklista doskonały
Organisation: Trójmiasto.pl Portal Regionalny
Country: Poland
Type of organisation: Regional government
Resource type: Bicycle internet portal
Reference/link: Portal website: http://rowery.trojmiasto.pl/news.phtml?id_news=2073
This site is aimed at those who have to cycle during winter. It gives basic information on how to prepare
the bicycle to ride safely, what to wear, what tyres to use, and some riding techniques.
6.2.4 Road safety for Spanish motorcycle workers (Seguridad vial para
trabajadores motoristas)
Title: Seguridad vial para trabajadores motoristas, (ed. Manel Fernández Jiménez ed. Cristina Baeza
Adell)
Country: Spain
Organisation(s): Instituto de Seguridad Vial AEPSAL
Type of organisation: Safety NGO
Resource type: Study and guide
Target group: Workers, employers, (policy makers)
Reference/link: http://www.mapfre.com/fundacion/es/publicaciones/seguridad-vial/cuaderno-7.shtml
Publication date: 2006
Type of risks: All, for two-wheeled vehicles.
This book, written by experts from various national institutes in Spain, includes information on motorcycle
workers in the country as well as extensive advice on how to keep them safe while working. Key advice
includes:

Equipment:
Crash helmet: should be certified, integral, tight-fitting.
Special clothing: should be protective against mechanical (accidents) and adequate for the actual climate
conditions. Leather and special fabrics are recommended.
Gloves: not too thick, protective against mechanical abrasion (accidents) and climate conditions.
Shoes: no shoelaces, slip-resistant, protective against mechanical abrasion (accidents) and climate
conditions. Biking boots might be useful.
Sunglasses might be useful.
Human factors:
 Do not drink alcohol.
 Do not ride if tired.
 Do not ride at dawn or at night; take breaks.
 Avoid heavy meals before/while riding.
 Wear clothing appropriate to the weather conditions.
 Do not use drugs.
 Do not take medicines that can cause sleepiness, or affect reflexes and senses.
 Do not take medicines without checking with a doctor whether they affect driving abilities.
 Consult a specialist if you think you are experiencing a high level of stress, feel depressed or get
angry easily.
 Do not use mobile phones while riding (even with headsets: the reaction time decreases
significantly). Stop for the call.
 Attend medical examinations provided by the employer.
 In the event of a crash:
 If there is a risk of being crushed by the motorcycle, jump off the motorcycle.
 Relax your body – bone fracture is more likely if muscles are contracted while falling.
 Do not try to get off the bike while sliding on the road – you could be injured more badly while trying
to get off.
Maintenance of bikes – Planned preventive maintenance – Regular check of:
 oil levels
 brakes (fluid, discs, pads)
 tyre pressure (it changes with air temperature and load)
 tyre condition: minimum tread depth (measured at the centre) is 1.5 mm for front and 2.0 mm for rear
wheel)
 lights (head, side, indicator, tail, brake)
 mirrors
 filters
 water (bikes with water cooler)
 keep the cooler clean
 In the traffic:
 Keep to the right (in Spain) 5 , drive in the centre of the lane!
 Do not zigzag across the road.
5
In the UK, Ireland, Malta and Cyprus, keep to the left.

 If stuck in the jam, do not attempt to slip ahead between the stationery cars (they will not expect to
see you and may move suddenly if the traffic ahead begins to move)!
 Always take extra care when entering a crossroads.
 Keep a safe distance from the vehicle ahead of you!
 Keep to the speed limit!
 Be prepared for others to drive or ride unsafely!
 Signal a change in your direction in advance!
 Do not obstruct traffic trying to overtake!
 Regardless of weather conditions always drive with lights on – for your visibility.
 The important thing is getting to your destination in one piece. Leave enough time for your journey so
you don’t have to hurry and take risks.
6.2.5 Riding a motorbike – but safely (Motorradfahren - aber sicher)

Title: Motorradfahren - aber sicher
Organisation: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (Federal Highway Institute)
Country: Germany
Type of organisation: Federal ministry
Resource type: Webpage
Reference/link:
http://www.bmvbs.de/dokumente/-,302.1068482/Artikel/dokument.htm
This webpage provides information on safe riding on the road, prevention of accidents, appropriate
clothing and helmets as well as tips for riding with a passenger.
6.2.6 You and Your Scooter: Riding Tips

Title: You and Your Scooter: Riding Tips
Organisation: Motorcyle Safety Foundation (MSF)
Country: USA
Type of organisation: Industry safety foundation
Resource type: Guidance booklet
Reference/link: MSF website http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Scooter_tips-screen.pdf
This excellent illustrated guide contains all basic information required to start riding a scooter including
among others: what to wear when riding, responsibilities, troubleshooting, maintenance, how to increase
visibility, handling special situations, and many other topics.
The booklet includes information on:
 what to wear when you ride:
 eye protection
 jackets, trousers, gloves and boots

 rain and high-visibility gear

 the scooter itself:
 the controls
 braking
 turning
 checking the scooter before riding
 maintenance
 troubleshooting
 riding:
 how to make yourself more visible to others
 passing other vehicles
 night riding
 handling special situations:
 emergency braking
 riding on poor road surfaces
 riding during wind and rain
 equipment failure
 group riding:
 carrying a passenger
 loading the scooter
 scooter skill test practice guide.
The booklet also describes several exercises which scooter riders can practise on their own or with
friends to develop their skills and help prepare them for various traffic situations. The information has
been compiled from publications, interviews and observation of individuals and organisations familiar with
the use of scooters and training.
The part on night riding is reproduced fully below:
You may have to ride at night. After all, it is dark around 50 percent of the time!
Dusk may be the worst time, when people’s eyes are adjusting from daylight to headlights. Be especially
careful just after sunset.
Usually it is advisable to slow down a little when riding at night, especially on any sort of winding road.
Use your own headlight and those of other vehicles to keep an eye on the road surface. It is more difficult
to see the patch of sand or something that fell out of a pickup truck.
The distance between you and the vehicle in front becomes even more important at night. Give yourself
room to react, room to SEE.
Wear a clear face shield without scratches. A scratched shield can create light refraction that might
confuse you; two headlights can look like four, and you do not know who is coming from where. One of
your biggest hazards at night may be a ‘who’ coming from a few hours of drinking. Be especially alert for
drivers and vehicles doing add things, like weaving in and out traffic, and give them lots of room.
6.2.7 You and Your Motorcycle: Riding Tips

Title: You and Your Motorcycle: Riding Tips

Country: USA
Resource type: Guidance booklet
Reference/link: MSF website http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf
This excellent illustrated guide contains all basic information required to start riding a motorbike including
among others: what to wear when riding, responsibilities, troubleshooting, maintenance, how to increase
visibility, handling special situations, and many other topics.
The booklet includes information on:
 what to wear when you ride:
 eye protection
 jackets, trousers, gloves and boots
 rain and high-visibility gear
 the motorcycle itself:
 the controls
 braking
 turning
 checking the motorcycle before riding
 maintenance
 troubleshooting
 riding:
 how to make yourself more visible to others
 passing other vehicles
 night riding
 handling special situations:
 emergency braking
 riding on poor road surfaces
 riding during wind and rain
 equipment failures
 group riding:
 carrying a passenger
 loading the motorcycle
 motorcycle skill test practice guide.
The booklet also describes several exercises which motorcycle riders can practise on their own or with
friends to develop their skills and help prepare them for various traffic situations.
The information has been compiled from publications, interviews and observation of individuals and
organisations familiar with the use of motorcycles and training.
The part on carrying passengers is reproduced fully below.
Company is always nice. Some company weighs 100 pounds, other company weighs 200 pounds.
Putting extra weight on the motorcycle will affect the handling. Adjust your suspension and tyre pressures
to compensate for the amount of company you’ve brought along. (Check your owner’s manual.)

Also realize that your braking capabilities have changed; take that into account. The more weight you
have on the motorcycle, the longer it may take to stop.
Passengers should be instructed to always mount from the same side, and to warn you before they climb
on. This goes a long way to preventing a muddled heap lying on the ground.
Passengers need the same protection that you do – proper clothes and helmet. Ten-foot scarves flapping
in the wind may look dashing, but not on a motorcycle. You don’t want shoe laces or loose pants legs
catching on rear wheel or chain parts.
Never carry anyone sidesaddle. Passengers should always straddle the bike with their feet securely
planted on the footrests. Tell passengers not to put a foot down when you come to a stop.
Show them where the hot things are – like header pipes and mufflers. Caution passengers against
coming in contact with the hot parts to prevent any injuries. Also, rubber soles can melt and leave a
mess.
Instruct passengers to hold onto you at your waist or hips, or the bike’s hand-holds. Ask them to lean
forward slightly when you leave from a stop or accelerate along the highway.
Also, when you brake, passengers should be firmly braced against your waist and should lean back
slightly. You don’t want their weight to shift forward.
Advise passengers not to lean unless you do. You do not want the person behind hanging off the bike at
30 degrees; that will do funny things to the steering. However, when you lean going around a corner,
passengers should definitely lean as well. So have them look over your shoulder in the direction of the
turn when you go through a corner; that will put the weight where you want it.
6.2.8 Motorcycle Operator Manual

Title: Motorcycle Operator Manual
Organisation: Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF)
Country: USA
Resource type: Manual
Reference/link: MSF website http://www.msf-
usa.org/downloads/Library_Motorcycle_Operator_Manual.pdf
The purpose of this manual is to educate the reader to help avoid crashes while safely operating a
motorcycle.
This manual conveys essential safe riding information to help novice motorcyclists reduce their risk of
having a crash. It is brief and easy to read, presenting essential information on helmets, protective
clothing, the motorcycle, the importance of riding within one’s abilities, additional equipment, how to be a
responsible rider, carrying passengers and many more topics.
The manual includes the following section:
 Wear the Right Gear: Helmet use, helmet selection, eye and face protection, clothing
 Know Your Motorcycle: The right motorcycle for you, borrowing and lending, get familiar with the
motorcycle controls, check your motorcycle
 Basic Vehicle Control: Body position, shifting gears, braking, turning
 Keeping Your Distance: Lane positions, following another vehicle, being followed, passing and being
passed, lane sharing, merging cars, cars alongside
 Intersections: Blind intersections, passing parked cars, parking at the roadside

 Increasing Conspicuousness: Clothing, headlights, signals, brake light, using your mirrors, head
checks, horn (hooter), riding at night
 Crash Avoidance: Quick Stops, Swerving or Turning Quickly, Cornering
 Handling Dangerous Surfaces: Uneven surfaces and obstacles, slippery surfaces, railroad tracks,
trolley tracks and pavement seams, grooves and gratings
 Mechanical Problems: Tyre failure, stuck throttle, wobble, drive train problems, engine seizure
 Carrying Passengers and Cargo: Equipment, instructing passengers, riding with passengers, carrying
loads
 Group Riding: Minimise the Risks
 Knowledge Test: On-Motorcycle Skill Test
 Some excerpts are given below:
 Check Your Motorcycle
A motorcycle needs more frequent attention than a car. A minor technical failure in a car seldom leads to
anything more than an inconvenience for the driver. If something’s wrong with the motorcycle, you’ll want
to find out about it before you get in traffic. Make a complete check of your motorcycle before every ride.
Before mounting the motorcycle, make the following checks:
 Tyres – Check the air pressure, general wear and tread.
 Fluids – Oil and fluid levels. At a minimum, check hydraulic fluids and coolants weekly. Look under
the motorcycle for signs of an oil or gas leak.
 Headlights and Taillight – Check them both. Test your switch to make sure both high and low beams
are working.
 Turn Signals – Turn on both right and left turn signals. Make sure all
 Lights are working properly.
 Brake Light – Try both brake controls, and make sure each one turns on the brake light.
 Once you have mounted the motorcycle, complete the following checks before starting out:
 Clutch and Throttle – Make sure they work smoothly. The throttle should snap back when you let go.
The clutch should feel tight and smooth.
 Mirrors – Clean and adjust both mirrors before starting. It’s difficult to ride with one hand while you try
to adjust a mirror. Adjust each mirror so you can see the lane behind and as much as possible of the
lane next to you. When properly adjusted, a mirror may show the edge of your arm or shoulder – but
it’s the road behind and to the side that’s most important.
 Brakes – Try the front and rear brake levers one at a time. Make sure each one feels firm and holds
the motorcycle when the brake is fully applied.
 Horn – Try the horn. Make sure it works. In addition to the checks you should make before every trip,
check the following items at least once a week: Wheels, cables, fasteners and fluid levels. Follow
your owner’s manual to get recommendations.
6.2.9 T-CLOCS Inspection Checklist

Title: T-CLOCS Inspection Checklist
Country: USA
Resource type: Checklist
Reference/link: MSF website: http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/T-CLOCSInspectionChecklist.pdf and
http://www.mxdirtrider.com/h-resources/s-ridersafetycourse-beginners-prerideinspection.htm


The checklist contains important and easy to use information on what to check and what to look out for to
ride safely. It helps riders make routine inspections of their motorbikes to make sure everything is in
proper working order before riding.
T-CLOCS is a useful acronym to help riders ensure they leave nothing out of pre-ride the inspection. It
stands for:
 T = Tyres and Wheels: air pressure, tread, cracks, dents, loose spokes, bearings, brakes.
 C = Controls: levers, switches, cables, hoses, throttle.
 L = Lights and Electrics
 O = Oil and other Fluids (Coolant, hydraulic fluid, fuel),
 Levels, Leaks.
 C = Chassis
 Suspension, Drive components (chain belt or driveshaft)
 S = Side stand, centre stand
Routine maintenance is more than a pre-ride inspection. Routine maintenance can prevent more costly
repairs later. The maintenance schedule for every bike is included in owner’s manual.
6.3 Safe use of bicycles

6.3.1 Bicycle (Fahrrad)
Title: Fahrrad
Organisation: Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen (Federal Highway Institute)
Country: Germany
Type of organisation: Federal ministry
Resource type: Webpage
Reference/link: http://www.bmvbs.de/Verkehr/Strasse-,1435/Fahrrad.htm
http://www.bmvbs.de/dokumente/-,302.22685/Artikel/dokument.htm
The webpage outlines the Federal ministry’s policy on promoting the use and safety of cyclists. (A leaflet
- Get on your bike! – but safely! (FAHR RAD – aber sicher!) -providing information about how to behave
in the traffic as a cyclist is currently not available).

7. Conclusions
Currently, the jobs of light delivery riders are often seen as occasional temporary work for students or for
those who cannot find other jobs due to their lack of education. Light delivery using either bicycles or
motorcycles is not a prestigious job; nor does it represent high social status or position (Drążkiewicz,
2003). This is probably the main reason why it is difficult to find any guidelines, instructions or tips
regarding safety and health in the light delivery industry.
It proved especially difficult to find guidelines relating to food delivery drivers who use motorcycles. Food
delivery by motorcycle seems to be a typical part-time, temporary job. Riders work five hours a day on
average (Baverstock et al., 2007), and mainly in the evenings. They tend to be young, and the turnover in
this industry is high with the average driver working for a company from the minimum of one month up to
a 12-month maximum. Also, food delivery riders do not organise themselves or form syndicates like cycle
couriers do.
In recent years the bicycle courier
industry has improved its attitude to
safety and the welfare of cyclists. Safety
and health tips for bicycle messengers
can be found on special networks and in
discussion forums, and accident
insurance companies also provide
information and guidelines.
Bicycle couriers typically work full-time
and for longer periods of time. Many of
them work as bicycle messengers
because they really want to. Being a
bicycle messenger is not only a job but a
philosophy of life.
http://fahrrad.kyloon.com/der-fahrradkurier/608
® Mike Clarke_iStockphoto
But the conditions of their employment are still difficult and although the terms of contract vary from
country to country, and from company to company, the majority of bike messengers are self-employed or
subcontractors and the method of payment is in most cases at piece work rate (‘by the job’) (Sweetnam
et al., 1993; Kindler, 2006). The perks that other workers take for granted are not often available to
bicycle messengers. Kindler (2006) describes bicycle messengers as ‘young, fit and unprotected’:
Typically they have no medical coverage, no minimum wage, no paid holidays, no job security, and no
pensions. 6 Their precarious working situation has led them to build up messenger associations, networks
and unions in many EU Member States. The focus of these organisations is on safety, social acceptance
and social security.
A great deal of safety information for bicycle couriers is available on the internet. Some is provided by the
bicycle couriers themselves. Others providing guidelines and information on safety and health include
accident insurance institutions, post delivery companies and courier associations.
The literature and guidelines presented in this report deal mostly with road safety, traffic rules and
equipment. It is obvious that messengers may often work in dangerous conditions, having to manoeuvre
quickly around cars and pedestrians during rush hour, and that road safety is one of their most important
concerns.
6
In Copenhagen all messengers are contracted and paid depending on the hours they work. They have insurance and a right to
take holidays. All messengers spend time with another messenger in order to learn about the job. They have to wear a helmet and
a uniform that is provided by the company (Drążkiewicz, 2003).

The risk of being involved in a road accident is also increased by the time pressure that goes along with
messenger work. It is important to understand the differences between motorcycle delivery and bicycle
delivery and to take them into account when developing guidelines, tips, information leaflets, etc., as well
as when designing road safety initiatives for delivery riders in the different sectors. Because of this, the
literature on motorcycle delivery and the literature on bicycle delivery are presented separately in this
report.
The guidelines and tips for bicycle messengers cover the following:
 Bicycle equipment
 Selection of appropriate bicycles and how to adjust them for each rider
 Use of safety clothes
 Use of safety helmets
 Maintenance of bicycles: lights, brakes, tyre pressure
 Traffic rules
 Aggression (especially dogs!)
 Bad weather conditions, darkness.
Time pressure is often mentioned as a factor that increases risk.
The guidelines and tips for motorcycle messengers focus on:
 Driver training
 Traffic rules
 Maintenance of motorcycles
 Use of safety clothes
 Use of safety helmets
 Aggression (difficult clients)
 Working unsocial hours.
Food delivery drivers work mainly alone and at night, and they carry cash. This makes them extremely
vulnerable to robberies. They may also have to deal with rude and even aggressive clients. Workers in
the food delivery industry require special training on preventative measures and how to handle difficult
situations and clients (HSE, 2005; see also section on preventing robbery,
http://crimeprevention.rutgers.edu/crime/robbery/delivery/delivery.htm). Some companies provide mobile
phones or walkie-talkies to use in emergencies to contact the police.
Most of the risks and hazards faced by bicycle messengers are very similar to those faced by all cyclists,
so that the general guidelines for safe cycling can be used for bicycle couriers as well. This also applies
in the case of motorcycle couriers.
All light delivery drivers require proper training with regard to traffic rules, the use of safety equipment
and safe loading of two-wheeled vehicles. In Germany, training for post delivery drivers and newspaper
couriers on two wheels is provided by different accident insurance companies, e.g. Unfallkasse Post und
Telekom (statutory accident insurance body for post and telecoms sector) and BG Druck- und
Papierverarbeitung (statutory accident insurance body for the printing and paper industry).
Many serious and fatal and accidents involving cyclists (especially bicycle messengers) are the result of
the cyclist being overlooked by vehicle drivers (e.g. falling into the blind spot of truck drivers when they
are turning). This shows that it is essential to sensitise not only the light delivery drivers to the risks and
hazards of their work but also all other road users. For example, campaigns in the UK are trying to get
across the messages: ‘Think road safety!’, and ‘Tomorrow’s roads: safer for everyone’. The Cycles and

HGVs working group of London’s Cycling Campaign has developed a code of conduct for lorry
drivers.
This code is designed for operators of heavy goods vehicles to help them achieve the maximum possible
level of safe operation with respect to the cyclists with whom they share the road. They also prepared a
cyclist/HGV awareness event to help spread the safe cycling message (London Cycling Campaign,
2009). Other campaigns run in the EU include a German campaign to sensitise heavy goods vehicle
driver regarding the blind spot in their rear view mirror: ‘Die Gefahren des toten Winkels am LKW’
(dangers of the blind spot in HGVs) and a French campaign to make road users more aware of two-
wheeled delivery drivers: ‘Clients, employeurs, coursiers, livreurs: le respect, ça compte pour la sécurité!
(clients, employers, couriers and messengers: respect is what really counts for safety and health!)’
(Richez, 2003).

8. Table showing overview of guidelines and recommendations

3. General information for light delivery
3.1 General information for courier workers (messengers and delivery workers)
Nr. Title Organisation Country Content/theme Reference/link
3.1.1 Safe Newspaper Canterbury and Kent UK Information pack containing three guidance http://www.canterbury.gov.uk/buildpa
Delivery Initiative councils sheets: one for employers, one for newspaper ge.php?id=2892&zm=4&prn=y
delivery workers and one for parents and
guardians.
3.1.2 The most important FUNPRL,UGT, CCOO, Spain Guideline for messengers (unwheeled, 2- and 4- Material not available online
message: your AEM, SGS, wheeled). http://www2.fct.ccoo.es/salud_laboral
safety comes first _html/en_estudios.htm
(Primer mensaje, tu
seguridad ante
todo)
3.1.3 TURJA – Alpress Oy Finland Programme to reduce accidents in newspaper http://virtual.vtt.fi/virtual/proj2/yjs/doku
occupational safety delivery work. mentit/Ruuhinlehto25112004.pdf
at a Finnish news http://www.tsr.fi/files/Uutistori/tiedonsil
distributor (TURJA ta/2005_1/artikkelit/19lehdenjak.htm
– Työturvallisuuden
http://www.mol.fi/jaksamisohjelma/keh
kehittämishanke
ittamishankkeet/hanke%20230%20lo
Alpress Oy:ssä)
ppurap.htm
3.1.4 Comprehensive Finland This guide, produced by a delivery company, http://www.jakelusuora.fi/tyosuojeluoh
OSH advice to provides extra information on top of the special je.html
couriers and advice given to employees of the company. The
messengers guide describes the basic factors that must be
(Jakelusuora oy – taken into account before and during delivery, and
tyosuojeluohje) how to handle unusual situations.
3.2 Checklists for courier workers
3.2.1 Checklist for Working Environment Demark Checklist plus a template for an action plan http://www.at.dk/graphics/at/pdf/checklister-
apv/transport-af-gods-apv.pdf
transport of goods: Authority (government regarding health and safety of post couriers.
post courier department) http://www.at.dk/sw5778.asp

3.2.2 Risk assessment BGDP (statutory Germany Guidelines on assessing the risks of newspaper http://www.bgdp.de/pages/service/do
for newspaper accident insurance and delivery. wnload/medien/230-13.pdf
delivery prevention body for the
(Sicherheitsbeurteil printing and paper
ung industry)
Zeitungszusteller)
3.3 Equipment for courier workers
3.3.1 Safe equipment for BGDP (statutory Germany Brochure providing tips and contact information http://www.bgdp.de/pages/medien/bra
newspaper delivery accident insurance and for suppliers of messenger safety equipment. nchenauswahl/zeitungszustellung_mli
(Sicherheitsartikel prevention body for the ste.htm
für printing and paper
Zeitungszusteller/Z industry)
eitungszustellerinn
en)
3.4 Studies about courier workers
3.4.1 Analysis of MTAS-INSHT (Spanish Spain Study and analysis of statistical data on Only short article, full article has to be
accidents in courier ministry of labour and messenger workers; includes a risk profile of ordered
companies national safety messenger workers. http://www.bcn.es/infotransit/pacte/cat
(Siniestralidad en institute), with ala/documents%20pacte/forum%20ba
empresas de Barcelona Town Hall rcelona%20de%20seguridad%20vial.
mensajería) and RACC Automobile %2010%20anos%20de%20forum.pdf
Club
3.4.2 Preventing harm to SNTL, CRAMIF, France Ergonomic study on the prevention of professional http://www.risque-
messengers: CRAMTS (trade union, risks for messengers. routier.com/etudes/Metier_coursier_et
Ergonomic study accident insurance _prevention.pdf
on the prevention companies)
of professional
risks (Le métier de
coursier et ses
pratiques de
prévention. Étude
ergonomique pour
la prévention des
risques
professionnels)

3.5 Young workers and courier activities

3.5.1 Information about (Working Environment Denmark This information is provided by BAR as a web http://bar.net.dynamicweb.dk/Files/Bill
youth at work Council Transport and resource for young workers because they face a eder/BAR%20Transport/pdf/vejlednin
(Vejledning om WholesaleSector) higher-than-average risk of accidents in this g_om_unges_arbejde.pdf
unges arbejde) sector. http://www.bartransport.dk/
3.5.2 Working conditions MTAS (Employment Spain Information for young workers and messengers http://www.injuve.mtas.es/injuve/cont
in courier ministry) enidos.downloadatt.action?id=176999
companies 6675
(Condiciones de
trabajo en las
empresas de
mensajería)
3.5.3 Health and safety GMB (trade union) UK This guide covers various aspects of young http://www.gmbunion.org/hns/bulpdf/a
for young workers worker safety including riders doing delivery and ddpdf/young_workers.pdf
courier work.
3.6 Road safety for courier and light delivery drivers
Understanding road Transport for London UK This document summarises the finding of a survey http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/courier-
riders-summary.pdf
3.61 safety issues for that Transport for London conducted in 2006, to
courier and food gain a greater understanding of London-based
delivery riders and courier and food delivery businesses using
delivery businesses powered two wheelers (P2W) and cycle delivery
in London riders.
3.6.2 Dos and don’ts for BGDP (statutory Germany This leaflet provides advice for newspaper http://www.bgdp.de/pages/service/do
newspaper delivery accident insurance and messengers and their employers on how to work wnload/medien/419.pdf
workers – a list of prevention body for the safely.
tips (Regeln für printing and paper
Zeitungs- und industry)
Zeitschriftenträger)

4. Special information for delivery by bicycles

4.1 Guidelines for bicycle couriers
4.1.1 Delivering mail by Unfallkasse Post Germany This leaflet contains a lot of helpful safety and http://ukpt.vur.jedermann.de/index.jsp
bike (Post-Biker auf (Statutory accident health information for letter carriers who do their
Zustelltour) insurance for the post rounds on a bike. It starts with an overview of the
industry) things one should check before beginning work.
4.1.2 Specialist checks Unfallkasse Post und Germany Survey about bicycle mail delivery and tips for http://www.ukpt.de/pages/publikatione
for postmen on Telekom (statutory safety arising from findings. n/zeitung.php?mid=20070108
bikes – doing the accident insurance
rounds without institution for the post
risks and telecoms industry)
(Präventionsfachle
ute untersuchten
Post-Bikes –
Zustellung ohne
Risiko)
4.1.3 Tips for bicycle Netzwerk Germany The brochure provides information for those http://www.netzwerk-
courier companies Fahrradkuriere NRW interested in starting a courier business. fahrradkuriere.de/obj/Dokumente/Rad
(Radgeber für Bundesverband geber.pdf
Fahrradkurierdienst Fahrradkurierdienste
e)
4.2 Road safety for bicycle couriers
4.2.1 See and Be Seen: BGDP (statutory Germany This leaflet informs cyclists about the increased http://www.bgdp.de/pages/service/do
Cycling safely in accident insurance and risk of accidents when cycling in bad weather and wnload/medien/433.pdf
bad weather prevention body for the darkness.
(Radfahren bei printing and paper
schlechter Sicht – industry)
sehen und gesehen
werden)
4.3 Equipment for bicycle couriers and drivers
4.3.1 Accessories for IPBMA (International USA Guidance leaflet on safe patrolling. PBMA website:
Bike Patrol Police Mountain Bike http://www.ipmba.org/reviews-accessories-
Association) 0510.htm

4.3.2 Bicycle couriers Fagligt Faelles Forbund Denmark Initiative on the part of a newspaper company to http://forsiden.3f.dk/article/20071120/TELEGRA
MMER/71120016&profile=2140
provided with GPS (The trade union provide its bicycle couriers with GPS alarms for
alarms (Avisbude organising bicycle safety reasons.
udstyres med gps- couriers)
alarmer)
4.4 Training for bicycle couriers
4.4.1 Different concepts Fahrradkurier.info Germany Information and tips for bicycle messengers to http://www.fahrradkurier.info/pageID_4067350.
html
of endurance (Bike courier keep well and fit.
training association)
(Ausdauertraining –
verschiedene
Konzepte)
4.4.2 Special training on Statutory accident Germany Training for letter carriers who do their rounds on http://www.ukpt.de/pages/publikationen/zeitung
.php?mid=20030312
safe cycling for insurance institution for bicycles
post carriers the post and telecoms
(Spezielles Training industry
für Zusteller –
Sicher auf dem
Post-Bike)
5. Special information for delivery by motorcycle
5.1 Guidelines for motorcycle delivery
5.1.1 Electric bikes take Unfallkasse Post Germany Leaflet that provides information about the http://www.ukpt.de/pages/publikationen/zeitung
.php?mid=20070407
the strain for mail (statutory accident advantages and the safe use of electric bikes.
carriers insurance institution for
(Akkuleistung post and telecoms
ersetzt Muskelkraft sector)
– E-Biker auf
Zustelltour)
5.1.2 Pizza delivery - PHC Franchised Cyprus The company safety policy for motorcycle riders http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/
company OSH Restaurants and van drivers covers what safety conditions reports/GPB06
policy must be checked on vehicles, and other issues,
including violence to staff, for example.

5.1.3 Safer motorcycling RoSPA (Royal Society UK Guidelines and practical advice for workplaces on http://www.rospa.com/RoadSafety/inf
through work for the Prevention of how to promote safer motorcycling, especially o/motorcycling_through_work.pdf
Accidents) promoting a ‘motorcycle champion’ in
organisations.
6. General information for safe use of bicycles and motorcycles

6.1. Road safety
6.1.1 Think road safety Department for UK Campaign website to reduce road deaths and http://www.dft.gov.uk/think/
Transport serious injuries.
6.1.2 Tomorrow’s roads: Department of UK Road safety strategy document that covers all http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/strategytar
getsperformance/tomorrowsroadssaferforevery
safer for everyone Transport forms of road transport. Sections 8 and 9 refer to
one
motorcycles and bicycles respectively and
although the focus of the document is on road http://webarchive.nationalarchives.go
safety in general it does consider occupational v.uk/+/http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads
motorcycle use. afety/strategytargetsperformance/tom
orrowsroadssaferforeveryone
6.2 Safe use of motorcycles
6.2.1 A European Federation of European Europe This report includes a detailed synopsis of http://www.fema.ridersrights.org/docs/
agenda for Motorcyclists motorcycle safety on Europe’s roads and makes a EAMS2007.pdf
motorcycle safety – Association (FEMA) number of recommendations for the development
the motorcyclists’ of future legislation and training.
point of view The report also provides an analysis of accident
data and examples of what FEMA consider to be
effective safety initiatives.
6.2.2 Proficient David L.. Hough – Poland Book providing information for motorcyclists. http://sklep.scigacz.pl/motocyklista-
motorcycling: author of the book doskonaly-poradnik-p-7085.html
Poland
(Motocyklista
doskonały)
6.2.3 A Polish website for Bicycle Internal Portal Poland Website providing tips for those who have to ride http://rowery.trojmiasto.pl/news.phtml?id_news
=2073
safer motorbiking a bicycle during the winter.
(Motocyklista
doskonały)

6.2.4 Road safety for Instituto de Seguridad Spain Guideline for all two-wheeled vehicles. http://www.mapfre.com/fundacion/es/publicacio
nes/seguridad-vial/cuaderno-7.shtml
Spanish motorcycle Vial AEPSAL (Safety
workers (Seguridad NGO)
vial para
trabajadores
motoristas)
6.2.5 Riding a motorbike Bundesanstalt für Germany This webpage provides information for safe riding, http://www.bmvbs.de/dokumente/,302
– but safely Straßenwesen (Federal prevention of accidents, appropriate clothing and .1068482/Artikel/dokument.htm
(Motorradfahren - Highway Institute) helmet as well as tips for biking with a passenger.
aber sicher)
6.2.6 You and Your MSF USA Guidance booklet that contains all basic MSF website
Scooter: Riding information to start riding a scooter. http://www.msf-
Tips usa.org/downloads/Scooter_tips-screen.pdf
6.2.7 You and Your MSF USA Guide that contains all basic information to start MSF website http://www.msf
Motorcycle: Riding riding a motorbike. usa.org/downloads/Riding_Tips.pdf
Tips
6.2.8 Motorcycle MSF USA The purpose of this manual is to educate the http://www.msf-
Operator Manual reader to help avoid crashes while safely usa.org/downloads/Library_Motorcycl
operating a motorcycle. e_Operator_Manual.pdf
6.2.9 T-CLOCS MSF USA Checklist containing useful information on bike http://www.msf-usa.org/downloads/T-
CLOCSInspectionChecklist.pdf
Inspection safety checks and other information needed to
Checklist ride safely.
http://www.mxdirtrider.com/h-
resources/s-ridersafetycourse-
beginners-prerideinspection.htm
6.3 Safe use of bicycles
6.3.1 Bicycle (Fahrrad) Bundesanstalt für Germany These webpages outline the Federal ministry’s http://www.bmvbs.de/Verkehr/Strasse-
Straßenwesen (Federal policy on promoting the use and safety of cyclists. ,1435/Fahrrad.htm
Highway Institute) http://www.bmvbs.de/dokumente/-
,302.22685/Artikel/dokument.htm

9. References
Baverstock, A., Reeve, W., Burgess, A., Understanding road safety issues for courier and food delivery
riders: Quantitative research report, Synovate Ltd., 2007
http://www.tfl.gov.uk/assets/downloads/delivery-riders-full-report-07.pdf
Drążkiewicz, Elżbieta, On the Bicycle towards Freedom: Bicycle Messengers’ answer for identity crisis,
Master Thesis in Social Anthropology at Lund University, December 2003, 66 pp., 2003
http://www.oldskooltrack.com/files/images/on_bicycle.pdf
European Agency for Safety and Health at Work (EU-OSHA), Pizza delivery by motorcycle, A Safe Start
for Young Workers in Practice, Report, chapter 8, pp. 35-37, 2007
http://osha.europa.eu/en/publications/reports/GPB06
Fahrradkurier.de, Fahrradkuriere: Arbeitsbedingungen, website for bicycle couriers, 2008
http://www.fahrradkurier.info/pageID_4067349.html
Fahrradkurier-forum.net, Deutsches Kurierhandbuch, 2009. http://www.wiki.fahrradkurier-
forum.net/index.php/Deutsches_Kurierhandbuch,
Hendry, J., Public Benefits of Messengers, website MessMedia, 1997
http://www.messmedia.org/benefits.html
Hendry J., The Air Pollution Crisis and Its Effects on Bicycle Couriers, Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier
Coalition, 1999. http://www.messmedia.org/messville/smog.html
HSE, Working alone in safety: Controlling the risks of solitary work, leaflet, 2005
http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg73.pdf
Kindler, S., Aus der Tiefe des Raums, Jungle World, No. 23, 2006. http://jungle
world.com/artikel/2006/23/17627.html
Lejtenyi, P., ‘Bike messengers fight for respect in the wake of a colleague’s death’, Montreal Mirror, 2002,
http://www.montrealmirror.com/ARCHIVES/2002/092602/news3.html
London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, Road safety action plan, 2006
http://www.richmond.gov.uk/chapter_6_road_safety_plan.pdf).
London Cycling Campaign – Cycles and HGVs working group, Lorry Operators Cycle-Safe Code of
Conduct, draft, 2005
London Cycling Campaign, Cyclist/HGV awareness event, 2009
http://www.lcc.org.uk/index.asp?PageID=1265
Messengerville, Messenger Laws and Reports Licensing, Registration and Labour, Summary of bicycle
courier’s situation, website for bicycle messengers, 2008
http://www.messmedia.org/messville/QUE_SUM.HTM
Netzwerk Fahrradkuriere, Zahlen und Fakten, Fahrradkuriere in Deutschland im Jahr 2005: Ausgewählte
Ergebnisse der im Januar 2006 erschienenen ’Branchenstudie 2005’, 2008 http://www.netzwerk-
fahrradkuriere.de/.cms/71
Richez, J.-P., La ‘course’ en campagne… pour la sécurité routière, INRS, Travail et sécurité No. 625,
2003 http://www.travail-et-
securite.fr/ArchivesTS/ArchivesTS.nsf/(allDocParRef)/TS625page38_1/$File/TS625page38.pdf?Op
enElement
Sweetnam, D.I.S., Morris, F., Cope, A., The injured motor cycle messenger, Archives of Emergency
Medicine, No. 10, 193-196, 1993
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1285987&blobtype=pdf
Sydney Bicycle Messenger Association, website introduction, 2007
http://www.sydbma.org/bikes/node?page=1
Wittink, R., Promotion of mobility and safety of vulnerable road users, Final report of the European
research project PROMISING, SWOV Institute for Road Safety Research, Netherlands, 2001.

Delivery Despatch Riders

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ISSN 1831-9351

Delivery and despatch riders’

Europe Direct is a service to help you find answers

Freephone number (*):

More information on the European Union is available on the Internet (http://europa.eu).

ISBN -13: 978-92-9191-333-6

© European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, 2010

DELIVERY AND DESPATCH RIDERS’ SAFETY AND HEALTH:

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 1

1.1 Objective of this report........................................................................................................... 3

1.2 Methodology .......................................................................................................................... 4

2. Introduction to the overall topic .................................................................................................... 4

3. General information for light delivery riders ................................................................................. 7

3.1 Guidelines for courier workers (messengers and delivery workers)...................................... 7

3.2. Checklists for courier workers............................................................................................. 13

3.3 Equipment for courier workers............................................................................................. 15

3.4 Studies on courier workers .................................................................................................. 16

3.5 Young workers and courier activities................................................................................... 18

4. Special information on delivery by bicycles ............................................................................... 21

4.1 Guidelines for bicycle couriers............................................................................................. 21

4.2. Road safety for bicycle couriers ......................................................................................... 24

4.3 Equipment for bicycle couriers and drivers.......................................................................... 24

4.4 Training for bicycle couriers................................................................................................. 26

5. Special information for delivery by motorcycle .......................................................................... 27

5.1 Guidelines for motorcycle delivery....................................................................................... 27

6. General information for safe use of bicycles and motorcycles .................................................. 29

6.1 Road safety.......................................................................................................................... 29

6.2 Safe use of motorcycles ...................................................................................................... 31

6.3 Safe use of bicycles............................................................................................................. 40

8. Table showing overview of guidelines and recommendations .................................................. 44

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 2

1.1 Objective of this report

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 3

2. Introduction to the overall topic

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 4

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 5

Risk and hazards for bicycle messengers are:

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 6

3. General information for light delivery riders

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 7

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 8

The good practice recommendations:

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 9

3.1.3 TURJA – occupational safety at a Finnish news distributor (TURJA –

The good practice recommendations

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 10

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 11

3.1.4 Comprehensive OSH advice to couriers and messengers

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 12

3.2. Checklists for courier workers

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 13

3.2.2 Risk assessment for newspaper delivery (Sicherheitsbeurteilung

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 14

The good practice recommendations:

3.3 Equipment for courier workers

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 15

Type of vehicle: all kinds of delivery

3.4 Studies on courier workers

EU-OSHA – European Agency for Safety and Health at Work 16

 Time constraints results in the breaking of traffic rules.