The riders' union has slammed the measures, saying they let digital platforms off the hook and add to the pressures on delivery workers instead.

The safety requirements - sparked by the deaths of four workers in Sydney late last year- will be the "toughest" in the country, the government says.

"Enough is enough," Better Regulation Minister Kevin Anderson said on Saturday.

"We can no longer stand by while riders continue placing themselves and others at risk."

But the Transport Workers' Union claims the measures could cause more deaths.

TWU National Secretary Michael Kaine said targeting and issuing fines to underpaid riders will put more pressure on them to work long hours and rush deliveries, further endangering their lives.

"These new laws are not about protecting the most exploited workers in our society," Mr. Kaine said in a statement.

"This is a shield for Silicon Valley behemoths and their sham business models which are literally killing riders on our roads.

"Riders will be tracked, targeted and penalised by police."

The union says Mr Anderson's comments implied workers were to blame for riders' deaths.

The changes announced on Saturday don't address the TWU's concerns about platforms having "exploitative" business models pressuring riders to deliver food quickly and work long hours.

The new laws would require digital platforms to provide riders with specific personal protective equipment.

They would also have to provide up-to-date training.

The TWU pulled out of the NSW Joint Taskforce into Food Delivery Rider Safety in April, over concerns that it was caving to pressure from companies.

An industry action plan the taskforce agreed to with Hungry Panda, Uber Eats, Menulog and other platforms in April was "weak" and "appalling", Mr Kaine said in a letter to Mr Anderson at the time.

The government believes the costs to platforms of complying with the new laws will be minimal as some platforms have already committed to providing safety equipment and induction training.

A safety blitz initiated by the taskforce recently found widespread non-compliance with road and workplace safety laws.

Almost nine in 10 food delivery riders were not wearing safe, high-visibility clothing, a statistic Mr Anderson said was unacceptable.

Some 40 per cent were observed riding in an unsafe manner.

Riders were also spotted without lights and using mobile phones.

Police, SafeWork and Transport for NSW will now increase compliance activity.

"The message is clear - safety must always come first," said Transport Minister Andrew Constance.

"You must abide by these new measures or you will be caught, you will be fined and you will be called out."

The government wants to introduce the laws by November following consultation on the plan.

The reforms follow a recommendation in the taskforce's final report that the government should give SafeWork NSW more tools to drive safety compliance within the industry.

However, the measures announced by Mr Anderson are not spelled out in the report.

Australian Associated Press