Bike Couriers Speak Out
Philly's messengers say they’re no menace to society.
Philly's couriers aren't fans of Councilman Frank DiCicco.
Jeff O’Neill was bicycling up 16th Street Friday night when a man and woman materialized in front of him—two pedestrians in the middle of the road, standing still and staring up into the sky, oblivious to the traffic bearing down on them. O’Neill managed to execute a quick swerve, barely avoiding the pair, but he received no thanks for his efforts.
“That’s why you guys need licenses!” the man shouted as O’Neill pedaled off into the night.
Even when bike messengers avoid an accident, they still get a hefty portion of blame.
“Any courier you talk to will tell you gnarly stories,” says Jorge Brito, a 28-year-old messenger who has been working Philly’s streets for three years. “You’re a target when you’re on a bike.”
Bike messengers have been in City Hall’s crosshairs since October, when two pedestrians were killed in separate, unsolved hit-and-run accidents involving bicycles. Police began cracking down on bicycle traffic violations and Councilmen James Kenney and Frank DiCicco proposed new rules that would require licenses, increase ticket fees for riding on sidewalks and levy huge new fines for operating the kind of “brakeless” bicycles favored by messengers.
When Rachel Fletcher, a messenger, was struck by a car and badly injured on Thanksgiving morning, her colleagues had had enough. The following Monday they gathered in Love Park to rally against the new rules—and against the rising tide of anti-bicycle and anti-courier sentiment that seems to be sweeping Philly’s streets and Stu Bykofsky’s columns in the Daily News .
“We’re 45 people out of 11,000 (bicyclists) who commute each day,” O’Neill says. “But we’re singled out.”
The small bicycle-courier community in Philadelphia is overwhelmingly male and young, nearly everybody a dropout from school, career or some other mainstream obligation—the kind of people who enjoy spending a miserably wet fall day crisscrossing the city on bike. And couriers say Philly—with its relatively cheap rents—is one of the last, best places to earn a living.
Brito, one of the leaders of the Philadelphia Bicycle Messenger Association, came to town from New York, attended grad school and taught eighth grade in North Philly for a short spell.
“I hated it,” he says. “The only thing I enjoyed was riding for a living. So now I’m the most overeducated messenger in the city. Even though things are slow now and the economy sucks, I probably make as much as if I were teaching. I sleep better.”
The rise of fax machines and the Internet was expected to make couriers extinct. Indeed: Philly’s community of regulars has dwindled from about 80 riders a few years ago to a little more than half that today.
“The economy has affected us more than technology,” says O’Neill, though.
The remaining riders admit that they often ride aggressively on Philly streets and, yes, sidewalks. Part of it is economic: They get paid per delivery, not by the hour. And, often, time is of the essence to their clients.
“I can’t stop at every stoplight,” says Justin Swain, 22, a Philly native who’s been working as a courier for three years. “I’ve got to get there in 15 minutes or I don’t get paid.”
Brito adds: “A multimillion-dollar bid falls apart because you didn’t get there in time.”
They dispute, however, the idea that they’re any more of a menace on Philly’s streets than cars. All half-dozen messengers at Nodding Head on Friday say they’ve been “doored.” Brito is recovering from a broken collarbone. Several have stories of drivers deliberately trying to bump them off the road.
And if there’s an economic impetus to be aggressive, there’s a similar motivation to avoid accidents: “There’s no workman’s comp, no time off,” Swain says. “We lose money.”
Late last week, the Bicycle Coalition of Greater Philadelphia reported that DiCicco was having second thoughts about his proposed rules, surprised by the intensity of public reaction. But couriers don’t expect the war between bicyclists and the rest of the city to ever end entirely.
“So many pedestrians seem to think we want to hit them,” courier Liza DeProphetis says. “We just want to get where we’re going.” ■
COMMENTS
ADD COMMENT
MORE
Article:
Savage Love
Article:
The City Controller, a Councilman and the PPA All Use the Same Consultant. Is It a Conflict?
Article:
Letters to the Editor
Article:
Q&A With "First Occupy Candidate" Nathan Kleinman, Who Is Running for the U.S. House
Article:
The Faces Issue: Celebrating Black History Month
Article:
Residents Blame Store Clerk's Shooting Death on Cops' Interrogation Tactics
Article:
Letters to the Editor
1. SarahL said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 11:19AM
“"The remaining riders admit that they often ride aggressively on Philly streets and, yes, sidewalks. Part of it is economic: They get paid per delivery, not by the hour. And, often, time is of the essence to their clients.
“I can’t stop at every stoplight,” says Justin Swain, 22, a Philly native who’s been working as a courier for three years. “I’ve got to get there in 15 minutes or I don’t get paid.”
So this makes it OK to break the law? Choose another line of work.”
2. ShawnM said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 03:09PM
“Sarah, there are people in business suits who break the law everyday and get away with it. Look no further than every FED chairman in existence. If you're going to comment, at least be constructive. Choosing another line of work may not be an option for some.
It's quite obvious that pedestrians take their right-of-way for granted and people drive like morons sometimes. It will do ALL OF US (that is, citizens of Philadelphia) no good to segregate one another in attempts to put the blame on one "group" while avoiding any responsibility ourselves. Most people, in cars, on foot, or on a bike, are looking out for themselves, and it's nothing personal, albeit it may seem that way on the surface. We're all just trying to do what we need to do to survive. I ride a bike, drive a car, and walk around on foot in the city, so I've adopted patience in every area of transportation, for my own sanity. Segregation is destructive to our collective experience; we need to work together on this.”
3. SarahL said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 04:27PM
“Hey ShawnM: All I did was copy and paste from the article. Those were the words of the bike messengers themselves. LOL Which only emphasizes my point in an earlier piece that its not ok to speed like a bat out of hell just to make a delivery on time. When that behavior occurs why should anyone be surprised at a backlash. And should I feel sorry for those messengers who lack the skills to pursue more meaningful employment?
If you mean to say that pedestrians are taking it for granted that they have the right to walk on the sidewalk and not share it with a bicyclist, then I wholeheartedly agree. The law is clear on sidewalk riding, the fine was increased over the summer from $10 to $50 and hopefully will stay at the proposed $300 as a deterrent. Stay in the goddamn streets and walk the bike the rest of the 1/2 block to the client, Is that such a big deal?”
4. Anonymous said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 04:57PM
“SarahL: in response to your remark :lack the skills to pursue more meaningful employment". most messengers are unlike you, over educated. They have masters in many fields but due to the job market, the possitions are not available to make as much as you can as a courier. Do your homework next time.”
5. SarahL said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 05:07PM
“Really? Again a copy and paste from the article: "The small bicycle-courier community in Philadelphia is overwhelmingly male and young, nearly everybody a dropout from school, career or some other mainstream obligation"
I seem to be focusing on the word "dropout". I read the article, did you?”
6. mark said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 05:08PM
“Sarah, your input is an intellectually enriching treasure trove.
If I may, I'd like to suggest that the next time you attempt to address an issue, make reasonable, fact-based points. Smugly reiterating your half-formed thesis that you, in all probability, overheard from an equally ignorant, self-righteousness source is flawed.
But, you know, if that doesn't work - keep doing what you're doing! Be repetitive, juvenile, and obstinate! It's working!”
7. Anonymous said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 05:35PM
“Sarah-"Brito, one of the leaders of the Philadelphia Bicycle Messenger Association, came to town from New York, attended grad school and taught eighth grade in North Philly for a short spell." Did you read the article?”
8. SarahL said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 05:47PM
“Thanks Mark. I get it now. Someone disagrees and will not back down, especially on a topic like this, so now I am being juvenile and obstinate. Look, I am for making a living, just do it the right way and follow the rules. But please don't expect me to agree to roll over and say no problem when messengers in this article admitted to and also were quoted as doing things which piss people people off like me, just a lowly pedestrian.
I plan to attend the Spruce & Pine Bike Lane Meeting tomorrow night. Walking there and back I expect to have close calls with any number of bicyclists, at least at that hour probably no messengers, who will be riding on sidewalks, ignoring redlights and going the wrong way. It should not be.
And what is wrong with a retort? Why have this comment board then?”
9. ShawnM said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 05:49PM
“Hey Sarah. I was referring to your comment about telling them to find another job. And no, I was not saying pedestrians take advantage of walking on the sidewalks...obviously that is what they're there for. I wholeheartedly agree that bikers should walk their bike on the sidewalk, but honestly, if it's 2am, and you can see no one is one the sidewalk, no harm, no foul. What I was saying is that pedestrians have the right of way on all roads...somehow, if Bill has a green light and runs into a pedestrian crossing at the opposing red, Bill is at fault. This is what I was referring
It seems that you see some logic in enforcing higher fines for such actions, but how has this authoritarian position helped at all? I'm pretty sure this is a good excuse for the commonwealth of Philly to make some extra money. Laws are put into affect because we lack the proper education to find a solution. Fines will only cause higher tension, as you can see by Mark's comment, and tension will not help anyone.”
10. Mark said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 05:51PM
“Don't jaywalk on the way to the meeting, Sarah. Or on the way back.
Of course, you've never done that - you're just a lowly pedestrian saint, just following the rules.”
11. ShawnM said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 05:54PM
“And please, everyone, the only way anyone is going to listen to anyone else is if we're civil and mature about this situation. Rude remarks and personal attacks (if you can even consider anonymous, internet name calling a "personal" attack) will get us no where.
Sarah, could you please explain your understanding of how fines would help the human beings in Philadelphia get along better? Same goes for anyone commenting against the fines. *Nothing personal*...we're just having a conversation.”
12. Anonymous said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 06:04PM
“I am all for proper laws towards cyclist as long as not one unit is singled out. From what I've seen, the police are out enforcing the laws during the day. I have yet to see a food delivery person receive a ticket or pulled over at night. I don't see how giving a $300 fine to a cyclist is really the way to go. And registering their bikes? The last time I checked bikes don't have serial numbers and is a pedestrian going to run after a bike to try and read the plate number? (sorry shawn, my rage got the best of me)”
13. SarahL said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 06:11PM
“Nice retort Mark! Is that so bad as long as it's civil. You sort of crossed the line when you intimated I think of myself as a saint. This is the slippery slope of internet comments boards.
BTW, I do not jaywalk as it is dangerous. Andre Steed was allegedly jawywalking when he was killed by the wrong way riding bicyclist. I advocate for the police to ticket jaywalkers as it is only fair.
ShawnM: The fines for sidewalk riding should stay high as a deterrent. I am getting tired of dealing with bikes on sidewalks. As to the other fines for not having brakes, etc. The Pa. Motor Vehicle Code should be the guideline and make the fines for equipment and moving violations commensurate with what vehicle owners are charged for similar offenses. There should also be a publicity campaign to get the word out during the hearing phase of this proposed legislation. The police need to enforce all violators, not just bicyclists. But in my view they are not interested.”
14. Anonymous said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 06:25PM
“Sarah-sorry about the remarks but it I always try and see both sides of the story and I think you should look more into breakless bikes. The bikes are completely breakless, more like a coaster break when you were a kid. The cyclist legs control the speed and motion of the bike, it's not like they are recklessly riding around not being able to stop.
Just the other night I saw a car driving down washington ave without any lights on and the driver was on the phone. There was a police car directly next to them for 7 blocks and they didn't do a thing. If the city is just looking for money and think that fining cyclist is a quick fix, they should target more cars.”
15. hambone said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 06:57PM
“sarahL- who the fuck are you and what the hell is your problem?”
16. ShawnM said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 08:06PM
“Sarah, I understand the theory that higher fines deter people, but I don't think it's realistic to think it's going to stop it from happening. This country enforces capital punishment, but people still kill people, ya know? I'm concerned that all this focus on bike laws (for and against alike) is going to paint bikers as criminals just for riding...even if they're abiding by the rules of the road, creating another excuse for divide between people simply because "I ride a bike and you don't", and we don't need that.
Let's be honest, not everyone can be at the top of their game every single moment of their lives, and there are a lot of people in Philly, so there's a much higher propensity to encounter someone who's having a shitty day and thus, driving/walking/riding like they're the only person on the road/sidewalk. And in that same regard, since it's likely we'll encounter such a situation, we can't let every little thing get to us.”
17. ShawnM said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 08:13PM
“Wouldn't it make more sense to have a fundraiser party/show to raise money, having people voluntarily fork it over, as opposed to fining people and creating more tension? If they passed a law that says bikers had to get their bikes registered and licensed, there would no doubt be a registration fee, which is forcing people, many of which are riding to save money, to pay involuntarily if they want to ride in the city. I think it would behoove everyone if we weighed out all the options and took the path of least resistance. There are going to be some that take this stuff way too seriously, unfortunately...or fortunately, depending on how you look at it. The more people communicating civilly (and as impartially as possible) the less influence those that take it too seriously will have, regardless of what side they choose to take.”
18. Pete K. said... on Dec 9, 2009 at 08:16PM
“It is a fact that all drivers entering the city of Philadelphia will break some sort of traffic law during their drive. Whether it be a "roll through" of a stop sign, or a failure to yield to a pedestrian, speeding, an illegal lane change, it happens. Bicycle Users, specifically bike messengers behave in a manner that helps them to survive. The layout of center city is based on pre-automobile design and bicycles fit that plan. The idea to get people to use the city and stay in the city includes bicycles. Either be part of the progress or be part of the problem.”
19. S3 said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 01:08AM
“I don't think that anyone is singling out messenger boys, especially if their numbers are as small as reported here. I have been ranting about cyclists period for the longest and actually knew one of the people killed. If there are only 40-50 messenger boys they're a small part of the problem as I run across 50 2-wheeled menaces a day. Gotta love the way these cyclists freely admit their transgressions in an effort to further their cause. Lastly, I have questions about messenger boy O'neill's anecdote. Was there a light? What color was it? While dawdling may not be advisable, if those pedestrians were in the crosswalk on a green they had every right to peer skyward. Need lots more info, but that's par for the course with these manchildren and the contrarian lesser media that indulges their ridiculous plight. But I guess free rags that couldn't exist without revenue from prostitution ads are hardly the forum for grown up content.”
20. Liza said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 08:34AM
“S3- i was kind of disappointed that the writer didn't think to mention that the light was red when jeff had to swerve around those people. i think the writer kind of missed some of the points we were making and that's why some people are misunderstanding what was being said in the article (for one thing, we're not all dropouts).”
21. SarahL said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 12:30PM
“ShawnM: I hear your point about the what-if-at-2AM scenario, I do not agree though. Can I use that logic in a car at an empty intersection at that time and go through a red light? I do not because if caught I will get a moving violation and my insurance rates will jack up. That is enough of a deterrent for me. I say make the fines comparable to what motorists would be charged. But since cars do not ride on sidewalks, the fine for that really needs to be high. The Bike Coalition just stated their Ambassadors program is encountering all types of bicyclists ignorant of the law against sidewalk riding. I blame the City, bike advocacy groups and bike shops for not going out of their way to make riders aware of this and other bicycle/vehicular laws until recently. Yes, these laws have been on the books but it is only in the last year or so any real attention has been devoted to the topic.
”
22. SarahL said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 12:41PM
“S3: Good point on the need to rely on prostitution ads. I have no problem with the transvestite ads as they are sole contractors for curious perverts. It is beyond the pale for PW and CP to run the asian massage parlor ads. They are notorious for engaging in sex traffcking which keep the girls in indentured servitude, another word for slavery, servicing "johns" while paying off huge debts to come to this country. Not to mention the pictures of the half naked women in honor boxes all around the city. How many kids and dirtbags look forward to Wednesdays and Thursdays when the new PW & CP issues hit? Patronizing an asian massage parlor is not adult entertainment, it is really about promoting slavery. PW and CP should be shamed for running those ads.”
23. SarahL said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 05:48PM
“Hey Anonymous #7: Sounds like I touched a nerve. Maybe this is good reason to stop cheating on your wife with a 10" FF T.S.”
24. S3 said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 08:37PM
“I think the uproar itself tends to validate the seriousness of this issue. So many have so much to say because it's something they've realized for some time. Sad it took two fatalities to bring attention. Personally I think there's no denying that scofflaw cyclists are every bit the public safety concern that opponents contend they are. The reality is EVERY cyclist is a scofflaw. I've yet to read anything but the most feeble arguments in their defense. Usually it goes like this "Yeah, sure I run every stop sign and red light but......." I also like the one about how many vehicle fatalities occur vs. bikes. That's not analogous people. It's apples and oranges. Besides, it's not remotely as easy to kill a person with a bike. And maybe the big bad motorists wouldn't lose their cool if they didn't have to attempt to pass you 10 times in as many blocks because you get in front again when they follow the law by stopping. Lastly, proponents of fixed gear bikes are just too idiotic to entertain. Stop trying to argue that something meant for a radically different application is somehow suited for city streets. Pedalling backwards allows you to SLOW DOWN not stop as required to operate within the law. Any tyro who ever watched velodrome cycling gets that. Who are you kidding? You think (Why? Nobody knows) that it's cool. That's the whole of it. It's pure trendyness. You can't fool us. You can try, and you do so hard, to act like it's anything else but it's so clear to all but you clowns.
”
25. Mark said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 09:58PM
“SarahL said... on Dec 10, 2009: “Hey Anonymous #7: Sounds like I touched a nerve. Maybe this is good reason to stop cheating on your wife with a 10" FF T.S.”
Oh, Sarah! God, you're good. You're starting to slip down your own moral slippery slope. Let me get this straight - you don't like being called a "saint" and you think that being referred to one is "crossing the line?" But then you're going to make the above comment? Your reactionary emotional response is simply classy!
I love how you think...and how you get so excited about your secondhand conjectures that you manage to press the "submit" button three times in a row. Really annoying.
But again, do what you do best: Question everyone who rides a bike's character and keep moving haphazardly from one flawed point to the next!
Apparently, your young, open mind is much too vulnerable for independent thought. Shield yourself against tolerance for critical thinking!”
26. SarahL said... on Dec 10, 2009 at 11:31PM
“Mark: Thanks for jumping the gun without having all of the facts. What you are not seeing are a bunch of filthy comments directed at me with particularly foul language. My rejoinder you quoted was in respnse to that, and I was being civil and on topic. Those offensive comments to which I responded were deleted by the editor. I do agree with S3 with his/her view on bicycles and his/her comment made on prostitution ads. I have strong opinions about sex trafficking and why this paper would run ads from those establishments. Do you have a problem with that point of view?”
27. Anonymous said... on Dec 11, 2009 at 07:43AM
“S3: The fixed gear hub is defined as a functional brake in the state of PA due to the fact that a brake is defined as anything that can stop a bike going 15 MPH in 15 feet of travel. If you are not capable of locking up the rear wheel at 15 MPH you are too out of shape to even try and ride ANYTHING in traffic and thusly should consider walking or using a moped/scooter like all the other fat/lazy hipsters in the city. Some states just define any brake as a mechanism that applies sufficient force as to "make the wheel skid," which the fixed gear hub also qualifies. What I'm trying to say here is this: The fixed hub system is just as effective of a hub braking system as a kids/cruisers coaster brake system. The fact that you cannot recognize this shows the ultimate flaw in your mental acuity and reasoning capabilities. Please do us all a favor and not talk anymore until you think a coherent thought.”
28. serahbeth said... on Dec 17, 2009 at 02:40PM
“Wow. This was a great conversation to read! Thank you ShawnM for your level-headed and reasonable arguments here (as well as any other rational posters), unaffected by embarassing freakout sessions. Clearly some can handle civil debate better than others.”
29. Anonymous said... on Mar 1, 2010 at 11:05PM
“S3: "Personally I think there's no denying that scofflaw cyclists are every bit the public safety concern that opponents contend they are. The reality is EVERY cyclist is a scofflaw."
Every cyclist is a scofflaw? Really? How could you possibly, ever, by any means prove this point? One of the most ridiculous statements I've ever read. I guess you could also say every person is a "scofflaw," as everyone at some point in their lives will make some trivial infringement on the law, but to say cyclists specifically ALL break laws is just as ridiculous as saying ALL cyclists follow every law.
”
30. Anonymous said... on Mar 1, 2010 at 11:12PM
“and SarahL, I acknowledge you have your opinions, I am not downing them, I respect them, and you have every right to post them civilly, just as everyone else does. However, I definitely have some qualms with some of your statements, particularly those about messengers like this: "And should I feel sorry for those messengers who lack the skills to pursue more meaningful employment? "
As a courier myself, and a college graduate, there is no more "meaningful employment" for me than work as a messenger. This is the truth for almost every messenger I know. Cycling is my passion, my love, the only thing that keeps me going at times. I could think of nothing more meaningful than pursuing this passion, and earning a living by it, 40 hours a week. Do not confuse this comment, I am making no statement about messengers having rights to break the law, I understand your frustration. but attacking specific incidents is one thing, insulting my occupation, and passion as a whole, is another.”
31. Kracken said... on Apr 22, 2010 at 10:11AM
“There is no reason this cannot be discussed in a civilized manner. I moved to the Philadelphia area about six years ago. Bicyclists, pedestrians, and automobile operators all scoff at the basic rules of the road. I've ridden a bike in Philly and cars and pedestrians tend to act like you are not there. I believe on the right day for the right person they are a more efficient way around the city. They need to enforce the laws already in place. I do not see why requiring brakes is such a problem. I ride for hours every day and they are not that hard to maintain. Get a coaster brake if you are that worried about it. When it all comes down to it cars, bikes, and pedestrians all need to share the same space and should do so responsibly. Pedestrians, please stop using the whole bike path for two people, there is no need. The walkway on the Ben Franklin Bridge is over 10 feet wide, but for some reason you have to fight and squeeze to get by two people? There is no excuse, you know the bikes use these areas LEGALLY. Share the space.”