Deliveroo’s Cautious Rider Awards Highlight Safety in Fast-Paced UAE Market

Editorial Team

Last updated 7-01-2026

3 min

Deliveroo UAE celebrated the third Cautious Rider Award, honouring responsible delivery riders.

Recognised riders received financial rewards and certificates for their strong safety records.

The award evaluates compliance with traffic rules and promotes consistent, responsible road conduct.

Deliveroo highlights road safety as a core part of its operations in the UAE.

The initiative supports safer delivery ecosystems, tied to broader well-being programmes.

Deliveroo’s rider community in the UAE had a bit of a celebratory moment this week as the company marked the third round of its Cautious Rider Award — a small but meaningful nod to the people weaving through traffic every day to keep orders moving. I’ve heard plenty of stories from founders in the region about how safety can make or break last‑mile operations, so seeing an initiative that actually spotlights responsible riding feels spot on.

This year’s recognised riders didn’t just get a pat on the back; they received financial rewards and formal certificates highlighting their strong safety records. It’s the sort of gesture that, in my experience, can go a long way in making riders feel valued, especially in a fast-paced delivery scene where the pressure can ramp up quickly. And believe it or not, what seems like a simple award often nudges others to up their game too.

Deliveroo says the award looks at several factors over the year — compliance with traffic rules, consistent responsible conduct on the road, and sticking to best practices that keep both riders and the wider community safe. I reckon these criteria aren’t anything flashy, but they do encourage the kind of behaviour that prevents headaches later. On the flip side, tracking all that must be a bit of a faff from an operational standpoint, but clearly Deliveroo sees the payoff.

Yazan Aburaqabeh, the company’s Director of Operations, put it plainly in a statement: road safety sits at the heart of their operations, backed by year‑round communication, coordination with agencies and authorities, and regular training. He noted that recognising riders who consistently apply best practices helps reinforce habits that support “a safer and more sustainable delivery ecosystem across the UAE.”

The award ties into a broader set of well-being programmes Deliveroo runs, including ongoing training around safety awareness, regulatory compliance and practical knowledge riders can use daily. It’s not the kind of thing that grabs headlines, but from what I’ve seen around the Arageek community, such small frameworks often build healthier ecosystems over time… even if progress can feel painfully slow somedays.

Deliveroo itself has come quite a long way since its founding in 2013, and after joining forces with DoorDash in 2025, it now operates across more than 40 countries. Nine of those still run on Deliveroo’s own brand and product — a detail that, for anyone following global delivery consolidation, says a lot about how the company continues to carve out its identity.

All in all, this edition of the Cautious Rider Award shows a steady commitment to safety rather than a flashy PR moment. And honestly, that’s something I’m chuffed to bits to see, even if just one rider feels a little more appreciated because of it.

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