Speech by Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash at Official Launch of GrabAcademy RideSafe2026

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash

Ms Yeo Wan Ling, Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC, and Advisor to the National Delivery Champions Association,

Mr Alejandro Osorio, Managing Director, Grab Singapore,

Mr Jason Lim, President, Riding Safety Association of Singapore,

Mr Rex Tan, President, Singapore Motorcycle Trade Association,

Distinguished guests, partners, riders, ladies and gentlemen,

1 A very good morning.

2 I also want to say good morning to all the riders who have taken the time to come here. I know it takes a lot for you to be here. You’ve made the commitment, and thank you very much for that. I know it’s not easy to be here.

3 It is not easy to ride, and it is quite difficult, especially if you are doing the right thing but other road users aren’t. I think we are doing this from a national perspective to make sure everyone knows.

4 Firstly, it is a pleasure for me to be here at RideSafe 2026. Let me start by thanking Grab Singapore, the Riding Safety Association of Singapore and the National Delivery Champions Association for working together to allow all our riders to stay confident, prepared and safer on the roads.

5 Platform worker safety is about enabling every rider to return home safely after a day’s work. It is about families having peace of mind when their loved ones are out working on the roads, and it is about building a platform economy where flexibility and productivity go hand in hand with safeguarding the well-being of those who keep it moving.

6 Unfortunately, recent accidents and incidents have indeed put a spotlight on our sector, particularly on the safety of our platform workers, including delivery riders.

7 In the first half of this year, sadly, we have had four fatalities involving platform workers, compared to two for the whole of last year. As I said, it is not really the best statistic to have. But most importantly, all these accidents, if not most, are preventable.

8 Our approach to addressing these challenges focuses on three areas: firstly, putting the right protections in place; secondly, giving clearer guidance; and thirdly, bringing the right partners together, as you can see around us today.

9 Since 1 January 2025, the Platform Workers Act has brought platform workers within work injury compensation coverage and introduced workplace safety and health duties for platform operators and platform workers. This was an important step that was taken at the start of last year.

10 MOM and the WSH Council have also issued practical guidance for platform operators and workers through the Approved Code of Practice for Platform Services. It deals with real situations that riders face on the road, especially road risks, fatigue and heat, and how they can perform their work safely and more easily.

11 We have also brought together Government agencies, platform operators, SNEF, NTUC, and platform work associations through the Platform Worker Safety Workgroup.

12 The aim is to understand the risks better, share what works, and turn good ideas into concrete changes that riders can directly benefit from.

13 The launch of RideSafe today is a good example of how these partnerships have translated safety priorities into practical actions on the road. Grab’s partnership with the Riding Safety Association of Singapore and the National Delivery Champions Association has led to the creation of the Urban Rider Safety Course.

14 This is exactly the kind of hands-on effort that matters because many safety decisions on the road are made within seconds. Courses like this allow our riders to spot risks earlier, ride more defensively, and make better decisions when they are on the road, depending on the weather and traffic conditions.

15 Ultimately, safety is a responsibility shared by all of us.

16 The Government sets the framework and brings together partners. Platform operators contribute by designing assignment and incentive systems to support safety at work, and by giving riders more timely training and information as required.

17 Perhaps most importantly, riders also play a part in making safer choices by following the rules, using protective equipment where appropriate, and speaking up when they encounter unsafe practices. Riders protect themselves and, of course, others on the road as well.

18 Consumers also have a part to play. During heavy rain, when the heat is very high, or during difficult traffic conditions, giving riders a few more minutes can make a real difference. A short wait is a small price to pay when it helps someone avoid taking unnecessary risks on the road.

19 Ultimately, all of us have a part to play in building a safety culture in our platform economy. A strong safety culture can only be built when people do the right thing when no one is watching, and when all of us care enough to look out for one another.

20 So, to all the riders here today, let me firstly thank you once again for the important work that you do in keeping our system running.

21 Please continue to put safety first and to build a culture of safety. If there is anything that you need, please let me know. I will be very happy to advocate for and support you at any point along the way.

22 To Grab and the Riding Safety Association of Singapore, thank you for the initiative and partnership.

23 Events like RideSafe turn this shared commitment into action, and I think this allows us to be safer on the road.

24 I wish you the very best, and I look forward to talking to you later.

25 Thank you very much.