In the 17 years since China’s first online food order was placed in 2008, migrant delivery riders have become vital to sustaining urban life. While many veteran riders have families in cities they serve, their social security status remains precarious. Having delivered for over a decade — some predating the rise of Meituan and Ele.me — they unanimously endorse social insurance. “Without Shanghai social security records, your child can’t enroll in local schools,” Jia explained. When asked about JD.com’s recent entry into food delivery, riders called it a positive shift.