• GrabFood is conducting the “Safe Riding on Pedal and Power-Assisted Bicycle (PABs)” course as part of the Delivery Rider Kit training programme, in partnership with NTUC’s U FSE, NTUC’s e2i, NTUC LearningHub, SkillsFuture Singapore and WorkForce Singapore
• Course curriculum is designed by GrabFood to address key challenges faced by delivery-partners while on the road
• Eligible GrabFood delivery-partners will receive Lumos smart helmets for enhanced safety

SINGAPORE, 11 December 2019 – Grab, Southeast Asia’s leading super app, today unveiled new safety initiatives for GrabFood delivery-partners who are new to using bicycles and power-assisted bicycles (PABs) as their preferred mode of transport for deliveries, after the recent prohibition of eScooters on footpaths.

GrabFood designed a new training course titled “Safe Riding on Pedal and Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs)” together with Asian Detours^[1]. The course will educate food delivery-partners on traffic rules, safety checks and maintenance of vehicles, and navigation in off-road and on-road scenarios. This is based on GrabFood’s insights into the wide range of challenges that food delivery-partners face as they travel to deliver food orders. The course is also part of the Delivery Rider Kit training programme launched by NTUC’s U FSE (Freelancers and Self-Employed Unit), NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute), NTUC LearningHub (NTUC LHUB), SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) and Workforce Singapore (WSG). 

Upon completion of the training course, GrabFood delivery-partners will be provided with a smart helmet. The helmet, produced by Singapore technology start-up Lumos,^[2]

is specially selected for its smart lights feature which helps to increase delivery-partners’ visibility while they are travelling on the roads. The lights also serve as turn signals so other motorists can tell when delivery-partners’ are turning.

“Safety is a priority for Grab, and we adopt a safety-first approach for our users, partners and the wider community that we serve. With the recent new direction that prohibits eScooters on footpaths, many of our GrabFood delivery-partners are transitioning to a new vehicle type to deliver food orders. We know this could be challenging as these partners have to juggle between familiarising with their new vehicles and learning how to navigate the different situations they will face while on the road,” said Andrew Chan, Head of Transport, Grab Singapore.

He added, “We want to help them transition with a peace of mind. The new training course is created to include all the critical know-how on road traffic rules, vehicle maintenance and navigating pathways. In addition, we are also pleased to partner with Lumos to provide our delivery-partners with an innovative helmet that will actively protect them from preventable incidents. This is aligned to our drive towards a goal of zero preventable incidents on our platform.” 

Khairul Anuar, 34, a GrabFood delivery-partner shared, “I am looking forward to attending this training course. I’ve recently switched from using an eScooter to an e-bike to deliver food and have been worried about managing the different traffic conditions and other vehicles on the road. I appreciate the efforts by GrabFood to look out for our safety with this training course and safety helmet.” 

Safe Riding on Pedal and Power Assisted Bicycles (PABs) training module 

The Safe Riding on Pedal and Power Assisted Bicycles training module is offered as part of the Delivery Rider Kit, a curated five-module programme by NTUC’s U FSE, NTUC’s e2i, NTUC LHub, SSG and WSG.

Opened to all food delivery riders affected by the prohibition of eScooters on footpaths, the seven-hour course includes hands-on practical time and a range of topics essential to safety training, ranging from safety checks and maintenance of vehicles, personal health and safety conduct to riding skills and traffic rules.

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• List the rules and code of conduct when riding pedal and powered bicycles
• Understand the importance and relevance of safe riding behaviours
• List out the proper checking of their equipment
• Be aware of the basic skills required for safe riding while navigating the different off-road and on-road scenarios.

Active GrabFood delivery-partners who fulfil the below criteria can sign-up for the training at no cost:

• A GrabFood-registered PMD delivery-partner as of 3 November 2019 
• Completed at least 1 GrabFood trip between 9 October – 7 November 2019

Besides this module, the other four modules in the Delivery Rider Kit will help delivery-partners transitioning from e-scooters expand their skills and capabilities in areas like service management and first aid, as they continue in the profession. Courses have been running weekly since 9 December 2019. (For more information on the Delivery Rider Kit and other modules, please refer to https://www.ntuc.org.sg/wps/portal/up2/home/news/mediareleases) 

Free smart helmet to promote active safety prevention for GrabFood delivery-partners 

In addition to the existing GrabFood partner gear provided to all food delivery-partners, GrabFood will be issuing a free smart helmet to those who have completed the “Safe Riding on Pedal and Power-Assisted Bicycle” module. GrabFood delivery-partners will be the first in the world to receive this new Lumos helmet model. The special edition helmet features a unique style and colour, exclusive to Grab. Eligible delivery-partners will be given their free helmet upon completion of their training course.

^[1]Asian Detours is a Land Transport Authority (LTA)-appointed facilitator of the Safe Riding Programme.
^[2]Refer to Annex for more information on Lumos.

ANNEX

About Lumos

“We’re super excited about this partnership with Grab to equip their riders with Lumos helmets. Despite being a company headquartered in Singapore, we’ve historically been more focused on riders overseas in the US and Europe. It is really meaningful for us to be able to equip and protect so many riders right here at home!” said Eu-wen Ding, CEO and co-founder of Lumos.

• Lumos is an innovative technology startup that created the world’s first smart bicycle helmet with integrated lights, turn signals, and brake lights. The Lumos helmet vastly improves a cyclist’s visibility and ability to communicate his or her intentions to motorists while riding in traffic.
• After a month-long Kickstarter launch which raised more than 800,000 USD, Lumos has shipped to tens of thousands of customers around the world. Lumos has been named one of Oprah’s Favorite Things as well as TIME Magazine’s Best Inventions of 2018, and is also the first helmet of any kind to be sold in over 300 Apple Stores worldwide.
• Started out of our Harvard dorm room, Lumos is a mission-driven company. We seek to make a positive impact on the world by helping make cycling safer, and helping more people everywhere make cycling a bigger part of their everyday lives.