A team of women traffic-police officers have caught the attention of passersby on streets in Beijing's Chaoyang District. Why? They wear fluorescent yellow uniforms, look energetic and dashing, and they patrol on large, eye-catching motorcycles. The officers, who clearly stand out, compose Beijing's first regular women's motorcycle-police team. Each officer, who was born after 1995, combines strength with gentleness, to create a beautiful presence amid the bustling traffic. The officers help ensure traffic safety in Chaoyang District, with their steadfast and vibrant strength.
Cool Officers
Chaoyang Traffic Police Detachment decided in early 2024 to establish a women's motorcycle police team. Xiao Fan, then working in another department, signed up. She became one of the first five members of the team, and she was elected team leader because of her courage and steadiness.
To become a motorcycle police officer in China, one must undergo rigorous selection and training. The process begins with the individual "taming" large motorcycles. A police motorcycle weighs more than 600 pounds. In addition, the officers must wear around 10 pounds of gear. For women candidates, who generally weigh little more than 100 pounds, the training requires grit and perseverance. From pushing and holding the bike, to learning its structure and driving principles, to finally mastering driving skills, vehicle control and emergency response, women candidates repeatedly push their limits.
At first, the women often fell off the motorcycles, and they often scraped their hands and knees. But they never gave up, and they volunteered for overtime to practice so they could hone the skills needed. The scars and bruises they received during training have become their unique badges. During the intensive training, they evolved from motorcycle "beginners" to qualified riders, who could easily handle heavy motorcycles, and they passed their skills tests, including maneuvering the cones, making sudden stops, and crossing narrow bridges.
They often ride dozens of kilometers a day, and they serve the public and deal with emergencies as part of their daily routines. During rush hour, they direct traffic near schools, to escort children safely across the streets. When they see people in need, they do not hesitate to stop to help. They always pay attention to road conditions, and to people's urgent needs.
The officers mainly patrol, direct traffic, conduct law-enforcement and ensure safe travel in the Sanlitun area. Sanlitun, a famous commercial area in Beijing, has a constant flow of tourists, especially foreigners, every day. When there are events at nearby Beijing Workers' Stadium, area bridges and intersections become congested. In such cases, the team's command center dispatches officers, based on real-time traffic conditions, to ensure traffic safety in the area.
The women's motorcycles are not just cool, but also intelligent; during patrols, on-board cameras automatically detect, identify and record traffic violations. The officers' helmets, with Bluetooth, connect to their radios, on-board displays and speakers, enabling voice announcements and a one-click intercom. This allows the officers to clearly receive instructions and alerts while riding, ensuring safe and convenient communications with the command center.
Gentle Law-Enforcement
Since the team officially began patrols on March 1, 2024, the officers have garnered public attention.
The officers excel in empathy and patient communication, and they have gained a reputation for patiently diffusing tensions in various law-enforcement situations. The officers combine fair law enforcement with warm service, and they uphold the dignity of the law while they address people's concerns.
"Warmth matters more than volume in law enforcement," says Xiong Junyao, a team member. She developed a "gentle communication method" for different groups. For example, Xiong helps adjust young office workers' helmets while reminding them of safety rules. She popularizes traffic laws after she helps people, and she shows accident footage to those who run a red light, to shock them into compliance with traffic laws.
Wang Xinran's dedication to the job has impressed many people. During one patrol, she stopped a delivery rider (on an electric bicycle), who had mistakenly ridden into the motor-vehicle lane. The rider gestured to indicate he was speech-impaired and had taken the wrong lane in a rush to make a food delivery. Instead of issuing a ticket, Wang patiently communicated, through gestures and writing, repeatedly emphasizing the importance of being safe to the man. Moved by her sincere guidance, the rider typed out "thank you" on his phone screen.
"Penalties have never been the goal," Wang says. She believes offering guidance is more important than issuing fines.
Versatile, Young Team
The women always fulfill their responsibilities, with a strong sense of duty. For example, one morning, during rush hour, a minor car accident occurred on North Third Ring Road's Taiyanggong Bridge. Xiao, patrolling nearby, was dispatched to the accident. She arrived at the scene within three minutes, and she efficiently handled the accident and restored traffic flow.
As the team's backbone, Xiao leads the officers in patrols, traffic control and handling accidents, and she assigns tasks based on each member's strengths. She sends communication-savvy officers to ensure traffic safety around communities and schools, and she dispatches members who are good at law-enforcement to direct traffic on key roads. After nearly two years of training and patrolling, Xiao has become a highly competent officer. Under her leadership, the team has expanded from 5 to 21 members.
Xiong, meanwhile, not only helps maintain traffic order, but also makes suggestions to improve road conditions. She has offered suggestions to her superiors, such as adjusting traffic-light timing and repositioning safety islands, all based on her on-duty observations.
Given the large number of embassies and foreign visitors in the Sanlitun area, bilingual communications are essential for officers. Xiong is adept at using English to explain the traffic regulations to foreigners. Xiong has also used her free time to compile key traffic regulations into English reminder cards. Now, every woman officer on the team has a copy, enabling precise bilingual safety education and law promotion for all road users. Many residents are touched by Xiong's dedication, and some have posted video clips of Xiong directing traffic on social-media platforms. "People's recognition makes me more convinced of the meaning of this job," Xiong says.
Dou Yuyang, a 26-year-old officer, has evolved from a "law-promotion expert" to a "versatile professional" in less than a year. Her previous experience in safety promotion gave her rich knowledge of traffic safety, which she now applies in law enforcement. Dou shows unique "gentle wisdom" in her work. Her warm smile, kind words and professional explanations always win over motorists. She promotes traffic safety in both Chinese and English, and some schools and communities often invite her to give lectures. "Our content is intriguing. Kids love listening to us," she says. One girl once told her, "Sister, I want to be a motorcycle police officer when I grow up, just like you." Dou was gratified to hear that.
The motorcycle police officers are dashing and young, and they have diverse personalities. Nevertheless, they share the same original aspiration: To enforce the law and serve the public. This belief unites them, and it enables them to face difficulties and challenges fearlessly. They are not just messengers of safety weaving through traffic, but also communicators of urban civilization, using their strength to nurture the most touching "roses of resilience" on the streets.
Photos from Interviewees
(Women of China English Monthly February 2026)
Editor: Wang Shasha
