Beijing: More than 10,000 delivery riders in Beijing are set to be trained as public safety volunteers under a new initiative that integrates gig workers into the city's public governance system, according to ChinaDaily. This initiative aims to enhance the city's emergency response capabilities by leveraging the extensive network of delivery personnel.

According to Philippines News Agency, at a campaign event on Wednesday, government officials from emergency, fire, and traffic authorities presented flags to a newly formed volunteer rider service team. Individuals with exemplary safety records were also recognized and awarded. The food delivery platform Meituan announced plans to establish 300 such teams in Beijing within the year, focusing on areas including emergency response, fire control, and food and traffic safety.

The riders have already been actively participating in safety initiatives. In March, a delivery rider named Li Shijie successfully extinguished a fire in the Fengtai district using skills acquired through platform-provided training. Additionally, riders report food safety violations, such as unsanitary kitchens or unlicensed operations, through both internal and government channels.

To enhance traffic safety, the platform employs GPS and smart helmets equipped with voice assistants to monitor risky behaviors like ignoring traffic signals or using phones while riding. These devices issue voice reminders and facilitate online training or delivery restrictions if necessary. Riders are incentivized through a safety point system and daily cash bonuses that reward safe driving habits, allowing them to exchange safe mileage records for benefits and increased earnings.

AI cameras have also been introduced in warehouses and kitchens, with coverage extending to over 900,000 merchants. These cameras boast an impressive accuracy rate of 91.7 percent in detecting and warning of potential dangers.