Tel Aviv Crash Sparks Safety Showdown Over Delivery Couriers

The rehabilitation department at Sheba Medical Center houses 56-year-old Roi Even-Tov, a husband, father of two, creative director, and avid motorcyclist. Described by friends as highly observant and never previously involved in an accident, his life changed dramatically in February when he attempted to cross Ben Yehuda Street in Tel Aviv in broad daylight. Walking from the sidewalk into a bus lane where cars do not park, security footage showed he waited properly before stepping out. A Bolt courier, riding an electric two-wheeler in the bus lane, struck Even-Tov violently, launching him into the air. He suffered a severe head injury and cerebral hemorrhage. After months in intensive care and at Ichilov Hospital, he was transferred to Sheba for neurological rehabilitation.

Police questioned the 18-year-old courier and suspended his license for two months, but because Even-Tov remains incapacitated, the investigation has stalled. Friends and family accuse Bolt of evading responsibility, noting the company refused to share delivery log data or check whether the rider was on active duty. Bolt stated that safety is a top priority, defining itself purely as a technological platform connecting users, merchants, and couriers, and later claimed that the courier was not on an active delivery during the incident. Nevertheless, the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA) has strongly criticized this stance, arguing that Bolt organizes, manages, and incentivizes the courier network and therefore bears corporate responsibility.

The NRSA has issued a 30-day ultimatum to Bolt, demanding concrete action plans, including safety training, vehicle inspections, mandatory theory checks, and virtual geofencing to curb sidewalk riding. NRSA Director Gilad Cohen warned that failure to comply could result in legal action to establish employer-employee liability. Meanwhile, investigations reveal a thriving black market for renting and trading delivery accounts, allowing unauthorized individuals—including minors and soldiers lacking work permits—to operate under registered profiles without oversight. Furthermore, broader municipal enforcement remains inconsistent, with cities like Jerusalem recording zero fines for micro-mobility violations in 2025, contrasting sharply with Tel Aviv's tens of thousands of tickets.