ONE of Malaysia’s leading protection solutions company – Allianz Malaysia Berhad (Allianz Malaysia), has partnered with the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research (MIROS) and leading p-hailing platforms – foodpanda Malaysia, Lalamove Malaysia and Grab Malaysia – to emphasise the importance of rider safety in Malaysia’s rapidly expanding industry.
The initiative underscores the shared responsibility of all stakeholders, including government agencies, corporations, p-hailing riders and the public, to protect and support the well-being of these gig workers.
Industry stakeholders convened at the recent Allianz Malaysia Media Forum 2025, to explore collaborative strategies for a safer delivery ecosystem.
The forum featured a panel discussion with representatives from the p-hailing platforms, exchanging valuable insights on the current challenges in the p-hailing sector and discussing collective efforts to enhance rider safety.
The forum also highlighted the crucial role of p-hailing riders in society, who serve as the backbone of the country’s growing delivery economy, ensuring seamless access to everyday needs while helping small businesses expand their reach.
Many riders are the sole breadwinners for their families, bravely facing daily road risks to support their loved ones.
MIROS Human Factors and Road User Behavioural Centre director Azhar Hamzah revealed that nearly 70% of road fatalities involve motorcyclists, with over 4,000 deaths in 2023/24 – equating to 12 deaths daily.
For every fatality, there may be around 50 injuries, many leading to permanent disabilities, imposing a substantial economic and social burden on families.
Hamzah emphasised that the mission of MIROS is to ensure safe roads for all.
“Through our research, we aim to uncover the risks and challenges faced by road users and identify potential solutions to enhance rider safety and support their families’ livelihoods.
“Together, we can transform insights into impactful actions.”
Riders face adverse conditions such as rain, haze and prolonged heat exposure.
The inherent instability of two-wheeled motorcycles, combined with the lack of physical protection, makes riders’ extremities – fingers, elbows, knees, and head – highly vulnerable.
Additionally, the practice of ‘lane filtering’ and sharing roads with larger vehicles often puts riders in precarious positions, frequently in other drivers’ blind spots.
Recognising their contribution, p-hailing platforms have implemented various safety initiatives.
These include onboarding programmes for defensive driving, insurance coverage even when not on duty, in-app safety features with 24/7 support and telematics systems to monitor rider behaviour and map accident hotspots.
Allianz Malaysia chief executive officer Sean Wang said, “We believe that rider safety is a shared duty.
“We are committed to providing insurance solutions and actively contributing to community well-being.
“Our efforts extend beyond profit as we strive to support initiatives that enhance safety for all road users,” he added.
Aligned with its commitment, Allianz Malaysia plans to organise two training programmes in a strategic partnership with the Road Safety Marshal Club to improve rider safety.
The first programme will focus on rider safety training and road emergency survival, complementing the existing efforts of p-hailing companies, equipping riders with essential skills to navigate roads safely.
The second programme will target students from public and private universities, fostering a culture of safety awareness among the younger generation.
Wang further commented, “This collaboration is a testament to our dedication to safeguarding road users and improving road safety knowledge.
“By empowering riders and educating students, we hope to create a safer environment for everyone on the road.”
