St. Petersburg authorities, delivery services, and experts are collaborating to address growing concerns about courier safety and traffic violations, particularly those involving e-scooters and bicycles. This initiative aims to integrate the rapidly expanding delivery sector into the city’s infrastructure while prioritizing the safety and convenience of residents.

A key focus of the collaboration involves regulating courier speeds and enforcing traffic laws. The St. Petersburg Committee for Transport is planning to work with delivery and rental operators to ensure compliance with traffic rules. This includes adjusting courier speeds on roads and sidewalks, requiring couriers to dismount in crowded pedestrian areas, and sharing information to track and penalize traffic violators. A motivational system for disciplined couriers and sanctions for repeat offenders are also under consideration, potentially managed by the city.

Yandex, a major player in the delivery market, has invested significantly in delivery safety. The company has spent over 500 million rubles, including the development of the Yandex Bike with speed restrictions and unique identification. Approximately 25% of Yandex delivery partners in St. Petersburg use these bikes, completing about 45,000 deliveries daily. Yandex is also expanding its bicycle project, maintaining a registry of bike and bag numbers, and standardizing courier uniforms. Furthermore, Yandex intends to partner only with personal mobility device rental services that enforce traffic rules, including speed limits and “slow zones.”

To enhance monitoring and enforcement, a video monitoring system and a community of Yandex bicycle assistants are already active in St. Petersburg and Moscow. These assistants identify violations such as obscured license plates, monitor parking regulations, speed limits, and dismounting requirements, and offer guidance to couriers. They undergo training and testing on traffic rules.

While acknowledging the need for courier safety improvements, concerns have been raised about the disproportionate focus on couriers compared to other traffic violators. Experts have also criticized proposed traffic rule amendments for personal mobility devices, advocating for more precise location-based restrictions and addressing inconsistencies in traffic regulations. Couriers are urged to thoroughly study the rules to navigate potential issues with traffic police.