Delivery Algorithm Decides: Cycling Is Faster Than Driving

"Smartphone data from riders and drivers schlepping meals for restaurant-to-home courier service Deliveroo shows that bicycles are faster than cars," according to an article by Carlton Reid.

Deliveroo collected data from 30,000 drivers and riders in 13 countries. While the findings won't come as a surprise to bike advocates, according to Reid, this is the first time so much data has been collected on trip times from real conditions.

Among other angles in its feature-length coverage, the article includes detail on Deliveroo's routing algorithm—a system built to ensure fast and efficient delivery of food and with every incentive to prioritize an honest assessment of real-world conditions.