Chongqing - On October 8, Peng Longkui, a delivery rider for Meituan, China's e-commerce platform, parked outside the Jinsha Times Community in Chongqing's Shapingba District. Upon seeing his "Hongyan Rider" badge, the security guard immediately allowed him access—something that was not always possible before.

A map is displayed at a community entrance in Chongqing's Shapingba District to help riders navigate. (Photo/Zhang Zhi, Visual Chongqing)

This change is part of a pilot initiative that began in May. Shapingba is the first district in China to establish "Rider-Friendly Zones." The program includes "Rider-Friendly Communities" and "Rider-Friendly Campuses," with Jinsha Times being one of the pilot locations. 

The "Rider-Friendly" concept focuses on creating accessible spaces for delivery riders by implementing features like rider maps and designated entry points. At Jinsha Times, a marked parking area 100 meters from the entrance can hold 4-5 electric motorcycles. A large map shows delivery-related information, including entry points, building locations, and rest areas. “These services save us nearly 10 minutes on each delivery,” says delivery rider Zhang Daru.

Shapingba has since installed over 400 dedicated parking spots and temporary spaces for riders, alongside 36 charging stations and 750 charging points. According to Huang Song, Deputy Director of the District’s Social Work Department, these changes address the longstanding issue of delivery riders facing resistance from security staff—a conflict that ultimately reflects the need for updated, collaborative governance between streets, property management, delivery platforms, and rider stations.

In another community of Shapingba’s Ciqikou Street, also the rider-friendly pilot area, riders can use an electric vehicle lane to access the underground garage and take an elevator directly to customers' doors. Access is granted to riders displaying the "Hongyan Rider" badge, which is issued based on criteria such as performance, skills, and conduct. Badge holders have priority access.

In Jiangbei District, some communities simplify the entry process further by allowing riders to scan a code for quick verification, thanks to data integration between delivery platforms and property management systems.

There are over 5,000 "Rider-Friendly Communities" nationwide, with hundreds across Chongqing’s Banan, Shapingba, and Jiangbei districts. While these initiatives have received positive feedback, concerns remain about safety and standardization. Experts suggest that clear operational standards and safety measures are needed to ensure the long-term success of rider-friendly communities.

(The Chinese version of this report was contributed by Qiu Xiaoya, a reporter from Chongqing Daily.)