Delivery platform reforms prioritize riders' safety over speed

The removal of late-delivery penalties in early 2026 has marked a turning point for China's gig economy, signaling a shift from speed-first algorithms to worker safety.

For veteran riders like Li Xincang, 39, who has navigated Beijing's streets for over a decade, the shift represents the professionalization of a sector once defined by high-risk labor and social insecurity.

When Li, a native of Puyang in Central China's Henan province, arrived in the capital over two decades ago, he started working on construction sites like many other rural migrants.

"The wages were often delayed, and there were no social security benefits at all," he said.

Seeking a more predictable income, he switched to food delivery in 2014 and has worked for consumer services platform Meituan for almost nine years.

Today, the veteran leads a team of over 110 riders and earns more than 10,000 yuan ($1,470) a month. Earnings are deposited quickly, he said, explaining that part-time riders get paid the next day, while full-time team members receive weekly wages.

"Delivery work won't make you rich, but it can support a family steadily," Li said. The reliable and timely income allowed him to pay off debts of over 100,000 yuan and build a decent house back in his hometown.

Beyond the paycheck, Li cherishes the flexibility. "I can choose to work mornings, evenings, or nights, and manage my own schedule. I can even take a moment to relax if I need, or scroll through my phone during a break," he said. "This is something you hardly get on a factory floor or a construction site."

Li said that the most crucial improvement he has witnessed is the reform of the delivery algorithm, the system that organizes his daily work.

"In the past, we could get up to 12 orders at a time, with very tight deadlines. We had to rush and sometimes even risk traffic violations," he said. Now, influenced by the government and stakeholders, the system limits trips to six or seven orders with more reasonable time windows. "The algorithm now puts safety before speed," he added.

The platform reinforces this by issuing warnings or short-term account restrictions for repeated traffic violations. A pivotal relief came in early 2026 when penalties for late deliveries were removed.

"Riders no longer feel forced to risk their lives on the road," Li said."This shift has significantly reduced the danger of accidents caused by overwork or rushed deliveries."

This growing sense of security extends from the daily grind to long-term planning. A key milestone was the introduction of a pension subsidy program late last year. Li and his teammates are now covered by the program that subsidizes their participation in basic pension insurance for gig workers.

"Compared with construction work that offers no proper social security, this job gives us a greater sense of security," Li said. "This pension scheme will protect us after we retire. Having it makes my family feel truly at ease."

Support on the ground has also been upgraded. Li praised the launch of hubs dedicated to delivery riders, which offer 24/7 shelter, charging ports and seasonal supplies. However, he is critical of commercial outlets that hang similar signs for show without providing real service and suggests resources should be directed toward stations that genuinely help workers.

For Li, the past decade traces a clear path — from chasing immediate wages to building a stable, secure life with a future to look forward to. He acknowledged his own story as part of a broader shift where the nation's policy direction and corporate initiatives are converging to provide millions with not just an income, but a growing sense of dignity.

Li said he may continue riding for a few more years, or he might return to his hometown to promote local farm produce online, leveraging a following he has built on social media.

He added that his plans remain flexible, while his next steps will ultimately depend on his family's needs.