As social digitalization and gig economy continue to evolve and solidify as cornerstones
of the modern economy, an increasing number of occupations within this sector are
encountering collateral risks related to occupational health, safety, and well-being. This
is particularly true for last-mile delivery riders, whose prolonged exposure to precarious
working conditions, insufficient training, threats to personal security, and a high overlap
with issues of justice and equity (e.g., legal, social, and migratory marginalization) is
beginning to highlight them as a growing group of vulnerable road users.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between the working
environment of two-wheeler last-mile delivery riders in Spain, their technological
background, social context, and their safety, health, and welfare indicators.
Methodologically, this study followed a mixed-methods approach, drawing information
from complementary sources -namely, questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups-
within a nationwide sample of last-mile delivery riders from all regions of Spain. The
preliminary findings of this study provide interesting insights in both spheres:
On the quantitative side, the questionnaire data that delivery riders experience
significant time pressure, insufficient pay, and ergonomic challenges associated with the
technological tools required for their work, often resulting in cognitive distractions,
technological stress, and reduced safety performance, regardless of their platform or
delivering vehicle. Additionally, longer working hours were linked to poorer well-being
outcomes, while riders who took more frequent breaks, especially during off-peak
hours, reported higher levels of co-worker support and stronger social connections,
likely fostered during shared break times.
On the qualitative side, thematic analysis of interviews and focus group data revealed
three main analytical levels: safety, social identity, and equity. Regarding safety,
participants frequently expressed concerns about ongoing safety risks. Intermsofsocial
identity, riders often reported feeling like "outsiders" in shared spaceswithotherroad
users. Ontheequity level,manyhighlightedimplicitmarginalizationeffectswithinthe
industry,referencing lowpay,legalchallenges(often tied to immigration status),and
limitedprospectsforcareerdevelopment.
Allinsum,thesefindingssuggestthatseveralkeysafetyandwelfareoutcomesforlastmiledeliveryridersarestronglyinfluencedbysocialfactorsandvulnerabilities.Thishighlightsimportantopportunitiesforpolicymakers,theneedfordevelopingoftimelypoliciesandinterventionsthatnotonlyenhanceoccupationalhealthandsafetybutalsoaddresstheirbroaderroleasroadusers,high-demandworkers,andsignificantsocialgroupsinthegigeconomyera.