Why We’ll Never Deliver on a Bike

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When it comes to ordering fresh food online in the UAE, most people assume that what they’re receiving has been properly stored and transported. But the reality is more complicated—and often more fragile—than it seems.

In a climate as hot and dry as the UAE, the difference between a well-maintained cold chain and a broken one isn’t just about quality. It’s about safety.

What Is Cold Chain Delivery?

Cold chain delivery refers to a temperature-controlled supply chain that maintains a consistent cold environment throughout storage, transportation, and final delivery. This is essential when transporting perishable items such as:

⦿ Meat and poultry
⦿ Dairy products
⦿ Seafood
⦿ Some fruits and vegetables

The goal of cold chain logistics is to ensure that the product stays within a safe temperature range—typically 0 to 4°C for fresh meat—from warehouse to doorstep.

The Problem with Last-Mile Delivery in the UAE

While many UAE-based food businesses invest in proper cold storage at their facilities, the weakest link is often the last mile—the final leg of the journey from dispatch to delivery.

In most cases, deliveries in the UAE are handled by motorbikes, especially for groceries, e-commerce, and meal kits. These bikes are fast and cost-effective—but most are not refrigerated. And when they carry mixed orders (for example, frozen items alongside hot meals), fresh or chilled goods can quickly be exposed to unsafe temperatures.

According to the UAE’s National Food Accreditation and Registration System, improper cold storage during delivery is one of the top contributors to spoilage and customer complaints, particularly during the summer months when ambient temperatures can exceed 45°C.

Cold Vans vs. Motorbikes

Refrigerated vans are designed to maintain a safe temperature range throughout the delivery journey. They ensure consistent conditions from the moment an item leaves the warehouse to when it arrives at your doorstep.

Motorbikes, by contrast, are exposed to the elements. Even with insulated boxes, they can’t offer the same protection in extreme heat. The longer the delivery route or the more stops involved, the more likely it is that the food’s temperature will creep into the danger zone (5°C to 60°C).

There’s also the human factor. Bike couriers in the UAE often work in extreme conditions, riding in intense heat and humidity. Long shifts under physical stress can understandably affect the pace and care of delivery handling. In contrast, van drivers operate in air-conditioned vehicles, with more controlled routes and a smaller number of dedicated orders—resulting in more consistent delivery quality and food integrity.

Why Temperature Matters

For perishable foods like raw meat, even brief exposure to unsafe temperatures can accelerate spoilage or increase the risk of foodborne illness.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), meat exposed to the danger zone (5°C to 60°C) for just 1–2 hours can begin to develop harmful bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli—even if it still looks and smells fine.

Source: WHO Food Safety Factsheet (2022)
Source: Dubai Municipality – Food Safety Department Guidelines (2023)

So Why Aren’t More Companies Using Cold Vans?

There’s a clear reason: cost and complexity.

⦿ Refrigerated vans are significantly more expensive to purchase, operate, and maintain.
⦿ They require trained drivers and planned routes.
⦿ They're slower to maneuver in dense city traffic compared to bikes.

For many businesses focused on volume and cost efficiency, bikes remain the default. They’re faster and cheaper—but they also involve compromise. When it comes to transporting highly perishable goods in 40+ degree weather, that compromise can mean the cold chain breaks down just before your food arrives.

What This Means for Your Food

If you’re buying chilled or frozen products in the UAE, it’s worth asking a simple question: how are they actually delivered?

The sourcing might be ethical. The packaging might look premium. But if that product spent 30 minutes in peak heat on the back of a motorbike, the cold chain has already failed—and so has the promise of freshness.

At Butcher’s Counter, we’ve taken a clear stance: we don’t use motorbikes—no exceptions. Every order is delivered in temperature-controlled vans, directly from our facility to your door. This is our Cold Delivery Guarantee—and we mean it.

Because when you pay for high-quality meat, the delivery should be held to the same standard as the product itself.