San Jose cyclists may soon have to share bike lanes with DoorDash delivery robots

San Jose is evaluating how to regulate food delivery robots that could operate in city bike lanes. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee reviewed the concept, noting there is no formal application because no program currently allows such vehicles. A proposed program is planned for later this year for consideration by the San Jose City Council. DoorDash Dot robots are intended for short food deliveries, but cyclists raised concerns about sharing bike lanes with autonomous devices and added obstacles. City officials said they currently lack regulatory authority over delivery robots in bike lanes, though sidewalk delivery bots have already launched. Potential rules include a one-year pilot permit, limits on robot numbers, speed caps, restrictions on stopping or parking, and safety features such as brakes, hazard lights, constant lighting, and audible alerts.

"“It's a brave new world as far as food delivery robots go,” said Colin Heyne with the San Jose Department of Transportation. The robots, known as DoorDash Dot, are designed to make short food deliveries. But some cyclists say they are concerned about sharing bike lanes with autonomous devices. “Not a fan just because bike lanes are for bikes, which seems rather obvious,” said Kevin Armstrong, an avid cyclist in San Jose."

"Heyne said the city currently does not have regulatory authority over delivery robots in bike lanes. The city did, however, recently see the launch of Coco food delivery bots on sidewalks. “The potential for larger bots that want to use bike lanes and travel faster, that's a new layer to this issue,” Heyne said. “We don't currently have any regulatory authority over any of these delivery bots.”"

"Possible rules discussed Monday include a one-year pilot permit, limits on the number of robots allowed, speed caps, no stopping or parking in bike lanes, required brakes, hazard lights, constant lighting, audible alerts and input from bike advocates. The meeting was only a discussion, and city officials say there is no formal application from the company because there is no program currently in place that allows for such vehicles to operate."

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