DoorDash Deliveries: A Major Step Towards Sustainability
As consumers and organisations transition towards a more dynamic and environmentally-conscious mode of delivery across North America, scooters, e-bikes and bicycles are gaining momentum as preferred transportation measures.
Beyond just easing traffic congestion and boosting street safety, these vehicles are proving pivotal in enhancing sustainability, particularly within bustling city landscapes.
The role of two-wheeled vehicles in modern urban economies
DoorDash's How Two-Wheeled Deliveries Help Drive Local Commerce report shines a spotlight on the transformative role that two-wheeled vehicles can play in redefining urban logistics.
"Cities that effectively support two-wheeled devices can expect to experience a virtuous cycle that amplifies these benefits for everyone,” observes Elizabeth Jarvis-Shean, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at DoorDash, in the report.
“DoorDash has worked to increase the share of deliveries completed using two-wheeled devices on our platform, and we’re glad innovative policymakers are recognising the benefits they can play for their local economies.”
The company champions the idea of integrating scooters and bikes into its delivery system, acknowledging that policymakers are beginning to see the potential benefits such vehicles bring to local economies.
Indeed, DoorDash, a leading name in the food delivery sector, has held more than half of the market share in the US.
With a network that includes 20 million consumers, 450,000 merchants and one million couriers, the company continues to thrive since its launch in California in 2012.
By 2024, DoorDash hit a milestone with 685 million orders and a total revenue of US$2.9bn.
Enhancing deliveries while reducing carbon footprints
DoorDash's report elaborates on the numerous advantages that two-wheeled vehicles offer.
Not only do they provide more agile and accessible earning opportunities for couriers, but they also simplify the connection between merchants and customers.
Additionally, these vehicles contribute significantly to creating safer and more liveable urban environments.
Over just one year, deliveries made on two wheels by couriers saved more than 150,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. This figure underscores the potential for even petrol-powered scooters to cut down emissions, paralleling the efficiency of electric vehicles.
DoorDash identifies e-bikes as the least polluting motorised transport option per travelled mile, a testament to their sustainability impact.
With more than 40 million miles covered by two-wheeled vehicles in just a month in 2024, DoorDash projects annual savings in carbon emissions that would equate to the annual energy consumption of about 21,000 homes.
Leading urban centres in adoption of two-wheeled deliveries
Major cities across North America are starting to embrace two-wheeled deliveries.
In San Francisco, 76% of all deliveries cover more than 1.6 million miles on two wheels, making it a leading city in this regard. The list also includes other Californian cities like San Mateo and Walnut Creek.
Beyond state lines, New York marks a remarkable footprint with more than three million miles travelled across a 61% share of two-wheeled couriers, while Toronto stands out with nearly 400,000 miles covered (32% share of deliveries).
Driving this transition, DoorDash has been proactive in promoting two-wheeled deliveries, continuously refining its platform.
This includes optimising dispatch systems to consider a courier's location, the parcel's dimensions and available cycling infrastructure.
Additionally, the company has prioritised shorter-distance deliveries within urban settings for two-wheeled couriers and partnered with leading e-bike manufacturers to offer exclusive discounts, further encouraging this sustainable transport method.
Moreover, initiatives like the Equitable Commute Project in New York City exemplify DoorDash's commitment to sustainability. This project encourages couriers to trade older e-bikes and batteries for newer, more efficient models, promoting a greener delivery ecosystem.
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