During the pandemic, there was an increase in the demand for home deliveries of food.

As so much of our normal lives were restricted and socialising was out of the question, many of us enjoyed having meals delivered to our homes instead of eating out.

The pandemic is over and most of us have returned to work and normal life, but it seems that we haven’t quite kicked the habit of ordering takeaway food.

That food is often delivered by bike riders. Their job is hard, and the riders are often poorly paid and expected to work in all weather, but some riders behave in a way that endangers other road users.

I have heard stories of riders using their phones while riding their bikes, and of others riding their bikes on the pavement or ignoring red traffic lights. I have also witnessed riders riding erratically and riding in the dark with no lights showing.

I recently asked the Convener for Climate, Glasgow Green Deal, Transport and City Centre Recovery, whether the council administration had ever discussed with the Scottish or UK Governments the possibility of introducing a licensing system and insurance requirements for delivery riders.

In my opinion, licensing would allow drivers to be identified when incidents occur, and insurance would provide some financial assistance to riders or other road users when accidents happen. It would also be possible to ensure that, as a condition of their license, riders had a basic understanding of the rules of the road and were required to attach lights to their bikes and to wear bright clothing.

Unfortunately, the convener did not agree with me but did indicate that the council had liaised with Police Scotland ‘on the topic of enforcing existing law and the Highway Code with all users of the road network’.

He also suggested that requirements such as those I suggested could not be enforced in relation to a specific group of road users.

I was very disappointed by that response. It seems to me entirely possible to introduce legislation that applied only to riders who were involved in commercial activity without inadvertently including those who ride bikes for recreational purposes.

Clearly, this is a problem that is not going away, and I am determined to try to find a way to ensure that delivery bike riders can be regulated to ensure that no unnecessary accidents occur.

Last month I had the opportunity to visit Men Matter based in Drumchapel. The staff and volunteers do a great job of supporting men and their families through difficult times and helping to improve their mental health and their quality of life. A wide range of activities are available as is counselling and other therapies.

Men Matter is based at 20 Drumchapel Road and is open from 10.30am to 9.00pm on weekdays. Telephone number: 0141 944 7900.