Uber Technologies : Eats and the Governors Highway Safety Association Team Up for Delivery Partner Safety

Uber Eats is partnering with theGovernors Highway Safety Association(GHSA) on a new campaign to provide important road safety guidance from GHSA to bicycle delivery partners using Uber Eats. As Uber Eats continues to grow, more people are choosing to deliver by bicycle, particularly in urban areas.

This partnership comes at an important time as statistics point to somealarming trendswhen it comes to bicyclist and pedestrian safety in the United States. Preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that bicyclist fatalities increased 10 percent in 2018 and have been on the rise since 2009.

Using feedback from bicycle delivery partners, GHSA developed a series of top safe riding tips. The tips feature information on safe road positioning and how to safely operate and maintain a bicycle. By sharing GHSA's easily-digestible information we hope that this information will help provide bicycle delivery partners with the knowledge and skills needed to stay safe when delivering with a bicycle.

'Last year, we began partnering with Uber to promote rear seat belt use in ride hailing vehicles,' GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins said. 'This is an expansion of that effort to ensure that two-wheeled, delivery app partners who are traversing streets across the U.S. daily do so safely every trip. Through this initiative, we're also reinforcing that bicyclists have a right to the road and reminding all road users to respect and look out for each other.'

GHSA and Uber Eats will begin disseminating this information to all existing and new delivery partners through the app, and at safety events in New York, Chicago, Miami, San Francisco and Los Angeles. At the events delivery partners will also receive safety gear from third parties, including a free bike light fromCosmo Connected.

Here are GHSA'stop eight safety tips for bicycle delivery

1. Ride a bike that fits correctly.You should be able to stand over your bike comfortably, have full leg extension when pedaling, and be able to touch the ground with your feet.
2. Do a 30-second A-B-C safety check before you ride.Pinch the tires to check theAir pressure.Squeeze the front and rearBrakes. Spin the pedals to confirm theChain is moving smoothly. If you find a problem, get it fixed before you ride.
3. Be visible day and night.Wear brightly colored clothing, equip your bike with a blinking white front light, red rear light, and reflectors. If you have a delivery bag or basket, apply reflectorized tape for added visibility.
4. Wear a certified* helmet that fits your head.Your helmet should sit straight, one to two fingers from your eyebrows, and be secured tightly with a chin strap. *All helmets sold in the U.S. must meet Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) safety standards and have a label on the inside that has the month and year of manufacture, the serial number and confirmation that itcomplies with U.S. CPSC Safety Standard for Bicycle Helmets for Persons Age 5 and Older.
5. Keep your delivery secured.Place your food delivery in a basket, pannier (saddle bag) or backpack that's properly secured to your bike or on your person and doesn't impact your balance. Never carry items in your hands or on your handlebars.

6. Limitdistractions.Keep your hands on your bike and your eyes on the road by using a cell phone mount and reviewing the directions before beginning your ride. Set the volume to loud so you can hear navigation directions. If you need to handle your phone, do so only when stopped and safely off the road.

7. Ride predictably.Ride in the same direction as car traffic and obey all traffic laws, signals and signs. Sidewalks are for pedestrians, so stick to the streets and bike lanes. Signal turns by pointing in the direction you plan to go.

8. Watch out for vehicle doors.Protect yourself against car doors that are suddenly opened by leaving a door-size space between your bicycle and parked or stopped vehicles. If you must squeeze through the door zone, slow down and look for warning signs that someone may be exiting.

GHSA's safety tips will also be shared with State Highway Safety Offices to use to educate their constituents.

To help increase awareness of other modes of travel on the roads, Uber beganpilotingBike Lane Alerts in select cities earlier this year. By the end of October, riders in more than 200 cities around the world will receive an in-app notification when they're being dropped off near a bike lane. We think this reminder will help make sure riders are looking out for people on bikes or scooters before they open the door, which can improve safety for everyone.