After a 3-year campaign by advocacy group Los Deliveristas Unidos, app-based food delivery workers in New York City will earn $17.96 an hour before tips beginning July 12, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams recently announced. With this rate, New York will become the first major American city to mandate pay requirements for delivery workers, including bike delivery riders, who are considered “self-employed” workers, not employees, and therefore do not qualify for the standard minimum wage. The hourly rate will increase to $19.96 before tips by April 1, 2025, the mayor said. The standard is a significant increase from the estimated $11 / hr workers currently earn after tips, as reported by CNN with additional statements from Mayor Adams:
“ Our delivery workers have consistently delivered for us — now, we are delivering for them. This new minimum pay rate, up by almost $13.00/hour, will guarantee these workers and their families can earn a living, access greater economic stability, and help keep our city’s legendary restaurant industry thriving.”
It is estimated that there are presently over 60,000 bike delivery riders in NYC, alone. Mainly triggered by the global pandemic, the number of bike delivery riders throughout North America has increased exponentially, with the majority now using ebikes to make their journeys easier and quicker.
A similar advocacy group in Canada - “Gig Workers United” - is also rallying on behalf of the hard-working bike and ebike delivery riders north of the border. Their top areas of concern are “Livable Wages, Workers’ Rights, and Health and Safety” demands.
Of interest: the online review company “Reviewlution” compiled comprehensive statistics on Canadian Food Delivery trends from the last few years. Some keys ones to note:
Canadians Spend An Average of $32 on Food Delivery.
Food Delivery Orders rose by 32 % in the second half of March 2020 compared to the previous year.
The Canadian Food Delivery Market is set to reach $98 Billion by 2027
The teams at Zygg Ebikes in Vancouver and Toronto are dedicated to providing maintenance, resources, gear (thermal delivery bags, phone holders & helmets) and always an awesome ebike to keep hundreds of Zygg Ebike delivery riders on the road.
“The team was absolutely great. They helped me last minute and even gave me a new bike to ride. Thanks so much you guys.”