The huge popularity of online shopping is creating chaos on city streets. The number of online deliveries is skyrocketing and so is the number of delivery trucks on the roads. The result is that hundreds more trucks are clogging up city streets. This is increasing traffic jams and pollution. There are hundreds more delivery trucks in cities around the world. They are all trying to deliver parcels on time. Delivery drivers are battling for parking spaces. Many have to park illegally, or double park. This adds to the gridlock for other road users. This problem is set to get worse.
The BBC reports that parcel deliveries shot up by almost 50 per cent between 2014 and 2016. This could increase by up to 28 per cent a year over the next three years. Many cities have taken tough measures to address the problems. Cities in Europe and Asia have barred deliveries when roads are busiest. London is thinking about using buses to deliver parcels. Some areas of London are also getting tough with food delivery motorbikes after their streets were being 'swarmed' by bikes. Food delivery companies in one London area must now apply for permission to operate.