A program created by the New York City Department of Transportation and Delivery.com that will enforce new safety regulations on delivery cyclists went into effect on Tuesday.
The new law requires restaurants to provide safety information and equipment for their delivery workers, including helmets, identifying apparel, identification numbers and well-equipped bikes with bells and lights. Cyclists must take an online safety course and restaurants are also required to have a Commercial Bicyclist Safety poster on display for their employees.
The program, called SaferHood, is an attempt to make delivery men more visible on the streets.
“Safety is everyone’s business, so it’s significant when the private sector steps up to the plate in the public interest,” said DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan in a press release.
The DOT’s Cycling Safety Indicator shows that the number of commuter cyclists has quadrupled in the last decade. The DOT revealed that over the last year, the New York has teamed up with Delivery.com to distribute 1,500 helmets to commercial cyclists with free reflective vests, bells and bike lights. The city has also distributed over 75,000 helmets and 2,000 safety kits to New Yorkers.
“In a city where food, groceries and wine can be at your doorstep in moments, we empower the neighborhood economy by equipping our merchant partners with the right tools for making safe and speedy deliveries,” said Jed Kleckner, CEO of Delivery.com.
Since July, the DOT has visited 3,530 businesses that employ commercial cyclists to inform them of the new safety regulations. These rules distinguish between regular cyclists and those employed by businesses as delivery men.
“This program does apply to commercial cyclists only,” said Nicholas Mosquera, press representative for the Department of Transportation.
“It’s nice that they care about our safety so much, so doing it is the least I can do,” said Jikr De, a delivery cyclist for Pluck U Wings & Things.
The DOT has found that 57 percent of the inspected businesses are already complying with the safety poster requirements.
“I feel like there are good intentions with this law, but they might be pushing it a little far,” said Tisch freshman Mona Karrenbach.
Businesses that fail to comply after six months may be forced to pay a fine to the DOT, which could range from $100 to $300.
A version of this article appeared in the Thursday, April 25 print edition. Tricia Lin is a contributing writer. Email her at [email protected].