Whizz co-founder says Trump’s Chicago crackdown is scaring delivery workers off the streets

A shocking video has captured the moment a food delivery worker navigates his e-bike across a Chicago bridge, pursued by armed federal agents. As one agent shouts, "Get him!" the worker manages to escape, but the footage has sparked outrage among critics of President Donald Trump’s aggressive deportation strategy, which has extended its reach to several U.S. cities, affecting both citizens and non-citizens alike. Mike Peregudov, co-founder of the e-bike subscription service Whizz, expressed concern over the palpable fear among delivery workers in Chicago. He noted that the threat of being apprehended by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has significantly impacted Whizz's operations. In a LinkedIn post sharing the viral clip, Peregudov revealed that the company has seen no growth in its fleet in the past month, stating, "It has become way harder to deliver a food order in the city." Having recently launched in Chicago, Whizz had experienced rapid growth, increasing its fleet from zero to around 300 bikes by the end of July. However, the dynamics shifted dramatically in August as Trump deployed National Guard troops to the city. This military presence, combined with ongoing ICE raids, has led to a roughly 8% decline in Whizz’s business, according to Peregudov. The atmosphere of fear has been palpable among food delivery workers, many of whom have returned their bikes to Whizz’s Chicago location. Peregudov emphasized that although Whizz does not directly employ these gig workers, it provides e-bikes to anyone with proper identification and a credit card. The reality of immigration raids, which have been reported in other cities where Whizz operates—including New York, San Francisco, and Philadelphia—exacerbates this fear, affecting both documented and undocumented individuals. Peregudov highlighted the distressing nature of these raids, explaining that even if individuals are ultimately released after verification of their legal status, they may still face significant disruptions during the detention process. Interestingly, while Chicago has been grappling with heightened enforcement, Whizz has reported an uptick in business in Washington, D.C., where similar National Guard deployments have occurred. Peregudov attributes this to police and federal agents focusing on delivery drivers using unlicensed gasoline mopeds, driving more workers toward the less-regulated e-bikes that Whizz offers. As an immigrant himself, Peregudov refrained from delving too deeply into the political implications, stating, “I came here using a talent visa, so it was not that stressful for me. It was way easier than for these guys.”