UAE motorists have hit back at claims their reckless driving is putting delivery bike riders at risk on the roads.
Riders from food delivery companies across Dubai told The National that the careless actions of fellow road users put their lives in danger on a daily basis, with many suffering injuries in the line of duty.
Their concerns followed a survey by campaign group RoadSafetyUAE last year, in which 77 per cent of delivery riders said other vehicles cut in front of them on a regular basis, with 68 per cent believing other motorists are inconsiderate.
But motorists have taken to The National's Facebook page to insist that the fault in many cases lies with "menace" delivery riders.
“The delivery drivers constantly cut you up,” said Kate Bell.
“They constantly cut you up and sit on your flank in your blind spot and pull out in front of you at traffic lights. They are a menace.”
Dave Pryce said that he empathises with the delivery riders, but added they were guilty of dangerous driving in many instances.
“They are as guilty of reckless driving as those they accuse,” he said.
“They weave in and out of traffic and dart between cars, buses and trucks, hog fast lanes, drive too slowly and don’t indicate.
“They cannot complain when they are so cavalier with the rules themselves.”
Emma Woodcock also hit out at the delivery riders.
“My toes curl watching the way some of these guys ride their bikes,” she said.
“They ride way too close to my truck and often sit in the back quarter tucked into my blind spot.”
She pleaded with the riders to slow down and give other drivers a chance to see them on the roads.
“I don’t want to be living with someone’s death on my conscience because they were riding dangerously,” she said.
“Stop making illegal manoeuvres and let’s all live another day please.”
Romien Benson said that most of the delivery riders she has encountered drive dangerously.
“They cut in when the traffic lights are red and are so close to my car that I can’t start driving when the light goes green, even though I was there ahead of them,” she said.
Biker Sabrina Hoehn joined the chorus of criticism.
“Being a motorbike rider myself I am very conscious of motorcyclists, however these guys are a serious danger to themselves the way they ride.”
Summer Gales questioned how motorbike riders can accuse people of cutting in front of them when “you’re zipping your little bike in and out lanes at reckless speeds”.
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Read more:
Take away for motorcycle deliverers in Dubai: drive safely if you want to keep making tips
Calls for mandatory high-vis jackets for UAE delivery drivers
Extra training for motorcyclists, truck drivers and the elderly
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There were 17 motorbike riders killed in Dubai last year, with another 122 accidents involving motorcyclists reported.
Officers in Abu Dhabi have led calls for riders to take more care on the roads after revealing motorcycles were involved in 682 accidents in the past five years, resulting in 42 fatalities.
In 2017, Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) introduced regulations to reduce delivery motorbike accidents, including barring pillion passengers and ensuring phosphoric reflector strips are attached to bikes, according to specific dimensions.
Other social media users leapt to the defence of the delivery riders.
“If they are in your blind spot, it is your responsibility to be aware they are there,” said Salman Shaikh.
“Nothing is wrong if they pull in front of you at traffic lights. Lane filtering is legal here.”
Increasing the salaries of delivery riders would help to alleviate road safety issues, according to Farhan Hartham.
“Delivery riders should be paid a decent wage so they are not tempted to rush and do more deliveries to increase their earnings,” he said.
Part of the problem, according to Cecilia Zapata, is a reluctance among motorists in the region to use an indicator when changing direction, which then creates difficulties for other drivers who have to adapt.
“They [the delivery riders] have had to drive defensively because nobody knows how to use an indicator,” she said.
“It’s survival of the fittest on the road.”
Atia Bryans did not hold back in defence of fellow delivery riders.
“You rich people in your cars are the worst,” he said.
“You always put pressure on us wanting your order in five minutes. How is that possible? Do you want us to fly?”
Sandy Donald said that blaming motorbike delivery drivers or motorists for bad driving was missing the bigger picture.
“Everybody is blaming everyone else but the driving standards in the UAE are abysmal,” she said.
“Hand out suspensions and tickets. That will get everyone’s attention.”
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
MATCH INFO
Final: England v South Africa, Saturday, 1pm
The five new places of worship
Church of South Indian Parish
St Andrew's Church Mussaffah branch
St Andrew's Church Al Ain branch
St John's Baptist Church, Ruwais
Church of the Virgin Mary and St Paul the Apostle, Ruwais
THE SPECS
Engine: 4.0L twin-turbo V8
Gearbox: eight-speed automatic
Power: 571hp at 6,000rpm
Torque: 800Nm from 2,000-4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.4L/100km
Price, base: from Dh571,000
On sale: this week
Where to donate in the UAE
The Emirates Charity Portal
You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.
The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments
The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.
Al Noor Special Needs Centre
You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.
Beit Al Khair Society
Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.
Dar Al Ber Society
Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.
Dubai Cares
Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.
Emirates Airline Foundation
Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.
Emirates Red Crescent
On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.
Gulf for Good
Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.
Noor Dubai Foundation
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
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The Bio
Favourite holiday destination: Either Kazakhstan or Montenegro. I’ve been involved in events in both countries and they are just stunning.
Favourite book: I am a huge of Robin Cook’s medical thrillers, which I suppose is quite apt right now. My mother introduced me to them back home in New Zealand.
Favourite film or television programme: Forrest Gump is my favourite film, that’s never been up for debate. I love watching repeats of Mash as well.
Inspiration: My late father moulded me into the man I am today. I would also say disappointment and sadness are great motivators. There are times when events have brought me to my knees but it has also made me determined not to let them get the better of me.
The lowdown
Badla
Rating: 2.5/5
Produced by: Red Chillies, Azure Entertainment
Director: Sujoy Ghosh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Taapsee Pannu, Amrita Singh, Tony Luke
Specs
Price, base: Dhs850,000
Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 591bhp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 760Nm @ 3,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 11.3L / 100km
List of alleged parties
- May 15 2020: Boris Johnson is said to have attended a Downing Street pizza party
- 27 Nov 2020: PM gives speech at leaving do for his staff
- Dec 10 2020: Staff party held by then-education secretary Gavin Williamson
- Dec 13 2020: Mr Johnson and his then-fiancee Carrie Symonds throw a flat party
- Dec 14 2020: Shaun Bailey holds staff party at Conservative Party headquarters
- Dec 15 2020: PM takes part in a staff quiz
- Dec 18 2020: Downing Street Christmas party
More on animal trafficking
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Famous left-handers
- Marie Curie
- Jimi Hendrix
- Leonardo Di Vinci
- David Bowie
- Paul McCartney
- Albert Einstein
- Jack the Ripper
- Barack Obama
- Helen Keller
- Joan of Arc