25 November 2025, Geneva, Switzerland – As e-commerce expands, the food delivery sector is also expanding globally. The Boston Consulting Group estimates that e-commerce will account for 41 percent of global retail sales by 2027, a significant increase from the 18 percent in 2017. The adoption of e-commerce as a business model extends to various sectors, including food providers and restaurants. This trend has resulted in companies employing local motorcycle riders to deliver food and parcels, leading to the emergence of new job opportunities, predominantly as delivery riders. This shift has also been accompanied by a growing number of motorcycle riders on the road and traffic crashes involving food delivery and non-food delivery motorcycle drivers.
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In the Dominican Republic, delivery motorcycle drivers are among the most vulnerable. Statistics show that 67 percent of road traffic fatalities involve motorcycle riders. National data indicates that over 70 percent of riders do not use certified helmets adequately. In 2023, six out of ten fatalities in the roads of the Dominican Republic were motorcycle riders.
For delivery riders, additional pressures linked to tight schedules and performance-based pay structures further heighten risk. These conditions increase behaviours such as speeding, red light violations, and mobile phone use during stops and while moving. Therefore, developing targeted awareness programmes and interventions that address the specific needs of delivery motorcycle drivers are essential for government authorities and companies to reduce fatalities and injuries.
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In collaboration with public and private sector leading institutions in the Dominican Republic - including the National Institute for Transit and Land Transport (INTRANT), the National Agency for Transit and Transport Safety (DIGESETT), the National Association of Municipalities (LMD), the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the National Institute for Professional Development (INFOTEP), the National Federation of Retailers (FENACODEP), Association of Retailers of the National District, AB InBev, PedidosYa, and the International Training Centre for Authorities and Leaders (CIFAL) Dominican Republic - UNITAR presented the results of the joint project “Delivery Seguro” in Santo Domingo on 13 November 2025.
Delivery Seguro is a multi-stakeholder targeted intervention that aims to mitigate risky riding behaviours and enhance the safety of both food delivery and non-food delivery motorcycle drivers in locations with high fatality rates, such as Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros.
The project was launched in August 2025 with the key objective of reducing traffic fatalities and injuries by:
- Providing training to delivery drivers
- Donating certified helmets to motorcyclists and
- Monitoring results to amplify its impact in 2026
To date, the project results include:
- 17 training sessions held, and 500 motorcyclists trained
- A total of 51 hours of instruction provided to riders.
- 500 certified helmets donated to the trained motorcyclists
- Active engagement from civil society and local governments in Santo Domingo and Santiago de los Caballeros
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In 2026, efforts will focus on monitoring data to evaluate the project's effectiveness in reducing fatalities and injuries amongst delivery motorcycle riders, and in creating a replicable model to scale the project and expand it to other high-risk regions in the Dominican Republic and other countries.
The presentation of the results during the first phase of “Delivery Seguro” took place during the “Multi-Stakeholder Dialogue on Safe Motorcycle Mobility”, hosted by UNITAR and CIFAL Dominican Republic on 13 November 2025 in Santo Domingo. The dialogue brought together 45 public and private institutions to exchange innovative solutions to improve motorcycle riders’ safety.
INTRANT presented a comprehensive roadmap focused on strengthening the regulatory framework and enforcing stricter safety standards for motorcyclists. This roadmap, set by H.E. Mr. Luis Abinader, President of the Dominican Republic, seeks to unite public and private sectors under a national commitment to reduce road traffic fatalities through education, enhanced oversight, and improved victim care.
Fundación Teletón showcased the results of its awareness campaign “Vos no Sos el Super Hombre” (You are not a Superhero), aimed at changing mindsets and promoting responsible riding. The message highlights that real strength lies not in reckless behaviour, but in the ability to return home safely every day. The campaign seeks to prevent the severe injuries and permanent disabilities frequently caused by motorcycle crashes. Between 2023 and 2025, the campaign has reached over 5 million motorcyclists, drivers, and pedestrians. In 2024, Fundación Teletón also provided services and assistance to 100 riders who acquired a disability as a result of a road traffic crash.
UNITAR launched the Spanish version of Moto AI, our Intelligent Motorcycle Road Safety Assessment App that provides real-time, location-based motorcycle safety risk assessments and tailored recommendations for riders, planners, and policymakers.
The Dialogue concluded with a brainstorming session and practical discussion using the Plan-Do-Check-Act management method to outline data-driven solutions that lead to a reduction of road traffic crashes in the Dominican Republic.
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