![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4DXJ2KSLMBBVZS5LVHN53HMV3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6407391120c0929466a397543d50158461f75150f01fedf687ea7857a530cef&width=400&height=225)
A rider from Deliveroo, one of the country's biggest operators. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R52WMYMFMHIIZFZZSEMEGSC7M4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a9d4937283e729cf6e8d472d03ee19d92586928f871d615f0bde93bb25e0434&width=400&height=225)
There were 5,787 motorbike licences applications to Dubai's transport authority in 2019, as delivery firms expanded their fleets to keep up with demand. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TV43YWUEGGILTPWC6ZPHZQIFRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1718bd392987b1299ef975235d114fa457e8f8213f9860cafb95b9d326fcd65c&width=400&height=225)
Delivery riders wait at a junction with other vehicles on a narrow road in the city. Sarah Dea/ The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OFWIC3EH2OWISXNGTKVI7A5A3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=c214536f18f7327cc9fa48a96b53c5000e7cae9e8b2e2e4cc6a766ef160d6188&width=400&height=225)
A boom in e-commerce, and travel restrictions that saw people in Dubai placed on lockdown in April, has led to more riders on the roads. Victor Besa / The National Section: NA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XPZLB65K6U4NJJDUIC4AWKBGTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4fd45a947421e4ac587d2232e6cec5026a399f2cb834212360562cdb3443c11b&width=400&height=225)
Sanal Pchikaran, Mohammed Zubari and Jhomar Dizon, delivery riders at the McDonald’s branch in Jumeirah, Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NGPBLWWFV3X3IPIPGXYRSSPUKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d4167d522ce4e372bc283833a4e53f38a3e4891f73cb8830ebf1a9c985deab1a&width=400&height=225)
A rider from Freedom Pizza puts on his helmet in Dubai Marina. Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IOG2VIQMKA2ZLTSXEWQWBKRT34.jpg?smart=true&auth=7c4867f1f6dfaccfa7b26aaeb78d7dcd833c49e3f786915363db774ba7373b98&width=400&height=225)
Delivery drivers were praised for their hard work and crucial roles during the pandemic. Pictured is a rider sanitising his cool bag at a restaurant in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4DXJ2KSLMBBVZS5LVHN53HMV3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6407391120c0929466a397543d50158461f75150f01fedf687ea7857a530cef&width=400&height=225)
A rider from Deliveroo, one of the country's biggest operators. Victor Besa / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/R52WMYMFMHIIZFZZSEMEGSC7M4.jpg?smart=true&auth=9a9d4937283e729cf6e8d472d03ee19d92586928f871d615f0bde93bb25e0434&width=400&height=225)
There were 5,787 motorbike licences applications to Dubai's transport authority in 2019, as delivery firms expanded their fleets to keep up with demand. Getty Images
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/TV43YWUEGGILTPWC6ZPHZQIFRY.jpg?smart=true&auth=1718bd392987b1299ef975235d114fa457e8f8213f9860cafb95b9d326fcd65c&width=400&height=225)
Delivery riders wait at a junction with other vehicles on a narrow road in the city. Sarah Dea/ The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/OFWIC3EH2OWISXNGTKVI7A5A3I.jpg?smart=true&auth=c214536f18f7327cc9fa48a96b53c5000e7cae9e8b2e2e4cc6a766ef160d6188&width=400&height=225)
A boom in e-commerce, and travel restrictions that saw people in Dubai placed on lockdown in April, has led to more riders on the roads. Victor Besa / The National Section: NA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/XPZLB65K6U4NJJDUIC4AWKBGTI.jpg?smart=true&auth=4fd45a947421e4ac587d2232e6cec5026a399f2cb834212360562cdb3443c11b&width=400&height=225)
Sanal Pchikaran, Mohammed Zubari and Jhomar Dizon, delivery riders at the McDonald’s branch in Jumeirah, Dubai.
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/NGPBLWWFV3X3IPIPGXYRSSPUKQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=d4167d522ce4e372bc283833a4e53f38a3e4891f73cb8830ebf1a9c985deab1a&width=400&height=225)
A rider from Freedom Pizza puts on his helmet in Dubai Marina. Mohammed / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/IOG2VIQMKA2ZLTSXEWQWBKRT34.jpg?smart=true&auth=7c4867f1f6dfaccfa7b26aaeb78d7dcd833c49e3f786915363db774ba7373b98&width=400&height=225)
Delivery drivers were praised for their hard work and crucial roles during the pandemic. Pictured is a rider sanitising his cool bag at a restaurant in Jumeirah Lakes Towers. Antonie Robertson / The National
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/4DXJ2KSLMBBVZS5LVHN53HMV3A.jpg?smart=true&auth=b6407391120c0929466a397543d50158461f75150f01fedf687ea7857a530cef&width=400&height=225)
A rider from Deliveroo, one of the country's biggest operators. Victor Besa / The National
UAE delivery boom leads to surge in motorcycle accidents, study says
Campaigners urged drivers to be careful when around vulnerable riders
![Nick Webster](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F9cfba7f3-8cc8-4789-bcec-97bd0007d9ef.png?smart=true&auth=96a9a5766af20e4704e52306e74ecd02669a7e0ffd084d4151d31e0039a945d3&width=70&height=70)
Nick Webster
28 October, 2020
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