Grubhub announced today several new initiatives aimed at creating a safer, more sustainable environment for delivery workers that utilize e-bikes in New York City, including a pilot program with JOCO, a leading delivery e-bike rental platform founded in New York City in 2021. The JOCO partnership will provide at least 500 delivery partners free access to more than a thousand safety certified e-bikes, as well as more than 55 JOCO hubs for continuous safe e-bike storage, battery exchange and distribution of delivery rider gear.
Grubhub is also working collaboratively with City leaders, the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), and industry partners to advance the safety of the entire e-bike lifecycle. Key initiatives include a $100,000 grant from the Grubhub Community Fund to the FDNY Foundation, an organization working to spread awareness and education about safe practices for using lithium-ion batteries.
“Delivery workers are essential to thousands of communities and businesses, including Grubhub’s, and helping to ensure their safety – and the safety of all New Yorkers – is a top priority,” says Amy Perlik Healy, vice president of government relations at Grubhub. “These new partnerships are an expansion of our ongoing work to address safe use of e-bikes and handling of batteries by delivery partners, and we will explore any reasonable means to prevent tragic fires from occurring in the future.”
Beginning mid-June 2023, select Grubhub delivery partners will receive JOCO credits they may use for partial day, daily or weekly e-bike rentals. The initial program will allow Grubhub and JOCO to gather learnings that will inform the companies’ long-term approach to creating a safer e-bike ecosystem for delivery workers. Grubhub will also sponsor a JOCO rest stop hub for delivery workers, beginning in June.
“Our cutting-edge platform provides gig workers and businesses with instant access to certified e-bikes without any initial investment,” says Jonathan Cohen, JOCO co-founder. “We’re delighted to partner with Grubhub in extending our services to a wider delivery community while ensuring secure charging facilities. As we celebrate Earth Week, we’re thrilled to stay committed to our mission of reducing the number of cars and trucks on the road for last-mile delivery.”
JOCO utilizes proprietary, fireproof battery charging cabinets that have been tested at a nationally recognized testing laboratory, each with its own fire safety extinguisher. JOCO’s batteries are certified to IEC 62133 standard, one of the most important standards for exporting lithium-Ion batteries into global markets.
“We know that micro-mobility devices are here to stay, and the FDNY is constantly exploring best practices for how to use them safely,” says FDNY Foundation Executive Director Jean O’Shea. “We are grateful for the support of industry partners like Grubhub for helping us spread the important messages of safety and prevention surrounding lithium-ion batteries.”
As Grubhub’s E-Bike Lifecycle safety program continues to evolve, the company is in active discussions with partners to establish a battery recycling program to take-in non-certified devices.
Grubhub is eager to continue working with NYC leaders, FDNY, and industry partners to address this issue by spreading public awareness and directly communicating with delivery partners about safe e-bike use, while preserving access for the delivery workers who rely on them and tackling the clear need for better charging infrastructure.
News and information presented in this release has not been corroborated by WTWH Media LLC.
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