Rush Hours: The Risky Behaviours of Food Delivery and Non-Food Delivery Motorcycle Riders

The growth of the electronic economy has significantly transformed the food industry by offering alternative ways for customers and restaurants to interact and conduct transactions through online platforms. This shift has catalysed the growth of the food delivery sector, commonly referred to as P-hailing in Malaysia. However, this development has been accompanied by an increasing incidence of road traffic crashes involving food delivery motorcycle riders. The aim of this study was to compare the prevalence of risky riding behaviours between food delivery and non-food delivery motorcycle riders during rush hours using an observational study conducted in Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia. Observations were made during peak hours at six signalised intersections, with a total of 4,950 motorcycle riders observed, 52.3 percent of whom were identified as food delivery riders. Categorical data analysis methods were employed to assess differences in risky riding behaviours between these groups. The odds ratios for food delivery riders compared to non-food delivery riders were higher for mobile phone use while stopped (2.66 times higher), and mobile phone use while moving (2.49 times higher). In contrast, helmet non-use and running red lights was less common among food delivery riders. Although both groups exhibited higher percentages of signal violation and stopping beyond designated lines, no statistically significant differences were observed between the groups for these behaviours. These results provide critical evidence for policymakers, enforcement authorities, and platform providers to inform the development of targeted interventions and policies aimed at mitigating risky riding behaviours and enhancing the safety of both food delivery and non-food delivery riders.