Officials in Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., started cracking down on delivery companies by issuing warning letters, seizing illegally registered or driven vehicles, and launching special street patrols to enforce speed limits.
The pushback is not limited to the U.S.; London and other British cities also cracked down.
Delivery companies pledged to work with city officials to ensure their drivers operate legally and safely. In a letter last week to food delivery companies DoorDash, Grubhub and Uber, Boston officials cited an "alarming increase in unlawful and dangerous operation of motorcycles, mopeds and motorized scooters" that they said put the drivers, other motorists and pedestrians "in imminent danger." The letter alleged some drivers operate unregistered vehicles and break traffic laws, and warned of an imminent crackdown on the vehicles.
It also demanded the companies explain how they can ensure their drivers operate safely. The Massachusetts State Police said they identified dozens of mopeds and scooters that were improperly registered or being operated by unlicensed drivers. Fourteen illegal mopeds and scooters were seized last week in one Boston neighborhood alone.
In New York City, authorities seized 13,000 scooters and mopeds so far this year; this past Wednesday, they crushed more than 200 illegal mopeds and other delivery vehicles. Authorities in Washington, D.C.
, launched a program called Operation Ride Right to ensure drivers of two-wheeled vehicles are.
