The rise of last-mile food delivery is transforming city streets around the world. In the world’s top 100 cities, the World Economic Forum projects a 36% increase in delivery vehicles by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. While e-bikes, scooters, and cargo bikes often reduce emissions compared to traditional logistics, the safety, well-being, and working conditions of delivery riders have emerged as urgent urban challenges.
Across Europe, North America, and Canada, cities are innovating to align sustainable mobility, labor rights, and food systems:
- Florence, Italy – Casa Riders: A multifunctional municipal center provides delivery workers with rest areas, charging stations, repair workshops, and safety training. Developed with unions and riders, the project ensures both safer streets and better working conditions.
- New York City, USA – Street Deliveristas Hubs: Transforming former newsstands into rider rest areas, repair stations, and information points, NYC is combining safety, comfort, and environmental sustainability. The city has also implemented an e-bike trade-in program to replace unsafe vehicles.
- Toronto, Canada – Micromobility Strategy: By creating micro-hubs, authorizing cargo bikes, and enhancing safety enforcement and education, Toronto integrates delivery riders into its low-emission urban mobility network.
These initiatives reflect broader policy frameworks such as the European Green Deal, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy, and the Urban Mobility Framework, all of which emphasize safer, greener, and more equitable urban transport systems.
Key takeaways:
✔️ Support safe, well-equipped spaces for delivery riders.
✔️ Integrate micromobility and low-emission vehicles into urban transport networks.
✔️ Foster collaboration between cities, labor organizations, and communities.
✔️ Align last-mile logistics with climate, health, and social equity goals.
By combining infrastructure, regulation, and worker-focused solutions, cities are reshaping last-mile delivery to create safer streets, more sustainable mobility, and inclusive urban environments.
🔗 Read the full Best Practice and discover practical solutions cities are implementing: