Blitz on food delivery riders working for companies like Uber Eats and Deliveroo results in more than 200 fines in five hours
- Melbourne police launched a crackdown on rogue food delivery riders
- Operation Mongoose saw 232 fines handed out over five hours on Wednesday
- Delivery riders are plaguing streets with traffic, endangering pedestrians
- Many have been spotted using mobile phones or driving without a licence
Police launched a crackdown on rogue food delivery riders working for the likes of Uber Eats and Deliveroo after spates of dangerous driving.
Food delivery workers are ‘running rampant’ on the streets, police said, including riding on footpaths and weaving through traffic and pedestrians.
Hundreds of drivers in Melbourne were handed fines under Operation Mongoose.
A crackdown on food delivery drivers saw 232 fines dished out in Melbourne’s CBD, after police caught riders driving on pavements, using mobile phones and ignoring traffic signs.
The blitz saw riders cornered by police outside popular eateries across the CBD, handing out 232 fines over a five-hour period,.
This included 20 incidents of delivery cyclists riding on a footpath, handing each of them a $165 fine.
Eight riders were even found cycling through Bourke Street Mall, which also carried a $65 fine.
One car delivery driver was even driving while suspended, while nine were caught using their mobile phones.
Melbourne East Local Area Commander said police are concerned about the safety of pedestrians as these companies expand.
Inspector Papworth said: ‘Police, like the community, have seen food delivery services more frequently utilising cyclists, small motor-scooters, e-bikes and motorcycles to transport products to consumers across the city.
‘Any situation where bikes and powered bikes mix with pedestrians presents increased risks, and this is only heightened if road rules aren’t being followed.
‘Of particular concern to police is behaviour such as riding on footpaths, weaving through traffic and pedestrians and parking inappropriately.’
Melbourne CBD has already suffered around 160 dangerous collisions so far this year involving a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist.
This makes up more than two-thirds of all serious injury collisions in the city.
Inspector Papworth added: ‘That’s about one collision every two days that sees one of these vulnerable road users requiring hospitalisation for their injuries.
‘We know the number of minor collisions and near misses is much higher so this is a safety issue we’re treating seriously.’
During the operation officers also educated riders about relevant road rules.
Victoria Police is working with delivery service operators to ensure their employees are better educated about road rules and safety issues.
20 riders were caught riding on a footpath, which incurs a fine of $165, while nine people were seen using a mobile phone while driving or riding, which incurs a fine of $496.