Whizz Co-Founder Says Trump’s Chicago Crackdown Is Scaring Delivery Workers Off The Streets
A chilling video of a food delivery worker sprinting across a Chicago bridge on his e-bike—while armed federal agents chase him—has gone viral. For many, the footage highlights the fear gripping gig workers under President Donald Trump’s latest immigration crackdown.
Image Credits:Whizz
Whizz co-founder Mike Peregudov says the video perfectly illustrates why food delivery workers are abandoning Chicago streets. In his words, “It has become way harder to deliver a food order in the city.”
Why Delivery Workers Are Leaving Chicago
According to Peregudov, delivery workers are increasingly worried about being stopped or detained by federal agents. The growing presence of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and other agencies has created a climate of fear.
Whizz’s internal data backs this up. Peregudov revealed that the company’s Chicago fleet has stopped growing over the past month, despite high demand. “The reason Whizz’s fleet hasn’t grown,” he said, “is because workers don’t feel safe.”
Whizz’s Growth Stalls Amid Crackdown
Whizz, an e-bike subscription service, launched in Chicago just a few months ago. Over the summer, the company expanded rapidly—from zero bikes in March to 300 by the end of July.
That momentum has now slowed. Peregudov told TechCrunch that what was once a fast-growing fleet has plateaued, with workers hesitant to ride. For Whizz, the crackdown is more than a policy issue—it’s affecting business growth and the livelihoods of gig workers.
The Bigger Picture: Fear In The Gig Economy
Delivery workers are often immigrants or part of vulnerable communities. For them, Trump’s Chicago crackdown has blurred the lines between ordinary work and constant risk. What was once a simple delivery now feels like stepping into danger.
For Whizz, the mission has always been to provide safe, reliable, and affordable bikes for delivery workers. But as Peregudov emphasizes, without addressing workers’ safety, even the best equipment won’t get people back on the streets.
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