Hot Wheels: Working lanes for working people - food delivery on London’s roads

With couriers constantly navigating London’s busy streets, food delivery isn’t just about takeaways – it’s shaping our air quality, road safety, and even the types of vehicles on the roads.

Partnering with IWGB, the trade union for couriers and food delivery riders, we delved into the realities faced by the nearly 20,000 couriers working in the city, focusing on their safety, emissions, and what can be done to make this work better for both people and the planet.

This report finds that:

  • Many couriers travel very long distances each working day (often a hundred miles or more), making them intensive users of the road network.

  • An estimated 10% of London's cycle trips are taken by food delivery couriers

  • Low pay and the pressure to meet quick delivery times push couriers to choose high-emission mopeds and motorbikes, often at the expense of their safety.

  • Motorbike and moped drivers are roughly 4x more likely than other road users to be seriously injured.

  • Around 80% of surveyed couriers said they’d prefer protected cycle lanes or low-traffic routes to reduce the dangers they face on the job.

We’re calling for:

Improved infrastructure: We want more dedicated cycle lanes and lower traffic routes so that those who rely on the roads for their livelihoods can get around safely.

Support for e-bikes: We want the government to introduce scrappage schemes and leasing options to make e-bikes more affordable for those who need them most. 

Better pay: We want delivery companies to improve pay and conditions, so couriers don’t have to work unreasonable hours or travel at unsafe speeds to make a living wage.

Why this report matters

To reach UK climate targets, we need fewer high-mission vehicles and more sustainable transport options. But it’s essential to create policies that work for everyone, especially those whose jobs are on the road. Supporting couriers with safer cycle lanes, access to e-bikes, and fair pay is a win for everyone in London, and a vital step toward a more inclusive city that meets climate targets and puts people first.

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At Possible, our vision is a zero carbon UK, built by and for everyone. We show people and politicians across the country that this is possible, and inspire practical action to make sure we get there at the speed required.

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Hannah Bland