Safe riding programme launched to help delivery workers navigate road risks
The course is open to all delivery riders.
Singapore's delivery riders now have a dedicated safety program to navigate the unique road risks they face. The Advanced Riding Development Programme: Urban Rider Safety Course, launched on August 12, addresses challenges such as carrying heavy delivery loads, frequent stop-start journeys, and tight spaces. Co-developed by GrabAcademy and the Riding Safety Association of Singapore, the program aims to prevent the rising number of rider fatalities in 2026.
Four platform workers died in the first half of 2026 compared to two in all of 2025. Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash emphasized that many accidents are preventable through better protections and guidance. The first cohort of 40 riders completed a two-hour course, learning defensive riding, motorcycle handling, emergency braking, and hazard anticipation.
The course also introduced cooling vests, which are being trialed and will eventually be available for purchase through Grab's webstore. Dinesh highlighted the importance of practical action in safety, noting that riders must make critical decisions within seconds. Platform workers' safety has been a growing concern, with the Platform Workers Act bringing them under work injury compensation coverage since January 2025.
Riders like Gabriel Ng and Alejandro Osorio welcomed the course, praising its relevance to their demanding work. Yeo Wan Ling, assistant secretary-general of NTUC and adviser to the NDCA, called for more tailored intermediate programmes to address the specific needs of delivery riders.
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