Its cool to see this.Brings back memories.Trevor, Mike O and a couple other dudes were mentors to me back in 2001. 02+03.i was young and sometimes did dumb things.also my dispatcher treated me like a son.i was a riff raff messenger w/o even a bike on occasion.but my friends who were mechanics kept me outfitted and my dispatcher Doug made sure I had decent jobs.Some of the most fun I've ever had, especially at work.
Im retired..ex roadie criterium and time trial racer, ride a Pinarello fixie now like a teenager to the shops pretending Im a courier lol watching you guys has helped my riding attitude and skills thanks from New Zealand.
Me (never been doored, plenty close calls) to my friend: "What do you do when you're about to get doored". My friend: "If you can't avoid it you just accept it."
The fixed riders are just preference. I built my bike thinking about it like a pickup truck. You don't use a Ferrari for work. I'll ride a fixed once in awhile for fun. Get rain tires. And you gotta jump over the tracks.
holly crap! i was just crusin the youtube universe and stumbled apon this video and i see me in it! haaaa! man that was a long time ago! what was that 03/04? man ive grown! haha. my name is gabe. i had the dead bear on my bike! good memories! thanks for posting this! PEACE!!!!!
I've just been doing food for 6 years. You know, gig apps.. Name anyone, I did them. This is my final year, the food delivery business isn't it anymore for me. I've never done paper, I wish I did, but it's too late for me. It was fun while it lasted, I met some awesome people, met some shitty people... It's a yin and yang of it. I rode brakeless, icy cold, extreme heat, snow, ice, sleet, and harsh rain, I got it all done.
Watching it in 2020 being a beginner Bike Messenger from Peru, shit what a good video showing how things REALLY are, not like everything is perfect, funny and with classy people into their 12000$ bikes. And yeah! Fixed Gear no brakes man!
worst flatspot right in the beginning...I mean, I ride fixed but really try to make the tires last. that type of skid is just destructive and showboating, really..
I respect Messengers, I'm a concierge & every time a messenger stops by my building I great them well & treat them with respect. Some are cool & appreciate it & others are cold but then again they get shit from lots of people. I'm a cycle commuter so we have that cycling love in common & probably a lot more despite career differences. I wonder how messengers view commuter cyclist?
I loved this job. Never a day dragged on. At first I was overwhelmed with not knowing exactly how to fill out a waybill, realizing I was not as fit as I thought, and feeling overwhelmed when the jobs started to pile up at month end but when it became learned it was so fun. You learn just how stupid most drivers are.
Smileyfacedkiller It is a love it or hate it job. Hard long days dodging assholes in their cars trying to door you or run you over, but you have dozens of friends working as messengers and you have this complete underground art culture. I messengered for almost five years and had a great time, but in the end the ass clowns ruined for me and damn near killed me in their cars. Young people should try it for at least a few months...However, do not romanticize this gig or stop being fast thinking when you ride as that is when you get doored.
oooh, that's a tricky question. Personally if I wanted to do it, I'd just ask some local messenger what the companies are that have bike couriers and apply. I dont think they would ask cuz most are pretty casual outfits. But you do deliver legal docs and may need to be an "adult" to witness that something has been delivered.
i worked at united lawyers service before as a courier , a walking courier, i seen all these bike couriers all around, they say the pay aint worth getting hit by a car, sick life but fun . i ride bikes all the time a thrill
Completely depends on the city, as far as I know. Some dont have many and tend to keep or rehire messengers but in huge cities I get the impression that they always hire like NY, London etc.If you can handle it. The most important skill is to really know the city, then prioritizing...then bike skill. This is only my opinion/experiance.YMMV.Oh ya, with the current hipster trendiness of this work, there may be alot of others lookin for the same job.
What's quite moving for me is as in William Gibson's novel Virtual Light.. these people are trying to hold on or do something giving them some freedom. And how fucking hard that is in this world. If you don't want to submit to some boring low paid job with colleagues you hate what are your options? And it's the same for artists, illustrators a massive group of the work force who try to survive not by fucking up the planet but buy trying to contribute to society. Sad irony they have to deliver the legal stuff for scum bag corporations.
Boston: Tracks. Doors. No signals. Pedestrians SPRINTING into the street for the T and last but not least *drum roll* Bicyclists who preach about asses and they themselves are asses (no matter how many wheels, it goes both ways, ya dig?) And all of this is -e v e r y w h e r e- not to mention awesome New England weather. Smiles all around.
Hello there, :) i would like some tips, just 5 minytes of your time. Bike messengers, how do they communicate with the "base" to take the next address? its a cellphone? a VHF radio reciever? or something else? pliz send me some link of what you use. Thanks again for your time.
Wicked video. Philly documentaries rule. The Love Park skate doco was rad, and now this one about couriering. I totally agree with the girl - get the fuck outta my way. In London its the same. Car doors, lemmings meanering out on their phones, and yes, I've been hit from behind too by some ignorant wanker in a Galaxy. Fuckin minicabs eh?
Someone could please, tell me in english, what the guy says in the time 01:34s? when they ars asked "What." We facilitate every..... I'm not english speaker, so, some words are difficult to understand...thanks
Yes I've been hit by cars. It happens. I've had bike on bike incidents. But the only time I ever hit a person with my bike is because Jesus told me to. I'm a Christian.
It cant be safe spending that much time on city streets. Reflectors and lights make you more visible and they dont weigh much at all. They ride like maniacs and wonder why cars hit them.
we dont wonder why cars hit us, and we dont look to sue the moment we get into an accident, a proper messenger shakes it off, pops the chain back on and rides off glad to be alive another day.
Yes sure, we need couriers, but couriers exist because corporations exists, those corporation employees drives in cars, so it is symbiosis, what we ALL don't need is Government Regulations choking everyone from going about their lives........ More corporations, more Couriers, more coffee shops, more jobs !!!!
Wow Philadelphia looks like Chicago. It's to bad that these types of jobs are considered "cool" by some of the hipster generation, it illigitimizes the job. And at this point bicycle messengers are a dime a dozen.
![[Helmet Optional]- Bike Messenger Documentary SF early 2000s](/img/n.gif)
Its cool to see this.Brings back memories.Trevor, Mike O and a couple other dudes were mentors to me back in 2001. 02+03.i was young and sometimes did dumb things.also my dispatcher treated me like a son.i was a riff raff messenger w/o even a bike on occasion.but my friends who were mechanics kept me outfitted and my dispatcher Doug made sure I had decent jobs.Some of the most fun I've ever had, especially at work.
Im retired..ex roadie criterium and time trial racer, ride a Pinarello fixie now like a teenager to the shops pretending Im a courier lol watching you guys has helped my riding attitude and skills thanks from New Zealand.
Me (never been doored, plenty close calls) to my friend: "What do you do when you're about to get doored". My friend: "If you can't avoid it you just accept it."
Yup. I did it for a while in NYC. Pretty dangerous though. Do your research and get good on a fixie before you rush into it.
what made you not to keep being a bike messenger?
It's not for everybody
The fixed riders are just preference. I built my bike thinking about it like a pickup truck. You don't use a Ferrari for work. I'll ride a fixed once in awhile for fun. Get rain tires. And you gotta jump over the tracks.
holly crap! i was just crusin the youtube universe and stumbled apon this video and i see me in it! haaaa! man that was a long time ago! what was that 03/04? man ive grown! haha. my name is gabe. i had the dead bear on my bike! good memories! thanks for posting this! PEACE!!!!!
Thanks for all the great feedbak and comments. My friend Eric was the director/editor and our other friend Dor was a cameraman. I just push record. =)
you have the dopest username "A"
I just caught those trolley tracks yesterday up around 38th street man I somehow walked away with no scratches but that shit was no joke
Wicked stuff - The streets in Philly look awesome...
Love seeing this from the city I Live in Philly
I do food delivery on cycle here in India. Scary stuff in night and under highway.
I've just been doing food for 6 years. You know, gig apps.. Name anyone, I did them. This is my final year, the food delivery business isn't it anymore for me. I've never done paper, I wish I did, but it's too late for me. It was fun while it lasted, I met some awesome people, met some shitty people... It's a yin and yang of it. I rode brakeless, icy cold, extreme heat, snow, ice, sleet, and harsh rain, I got it all done.
Awesome video. I myself live in Philadelphia and it’s cool to see people portray the city in a good way!
Total respect to you guys, from a bike commuter. Stay safe......
She´s got the right attitude. Thumbs up for Rachel! Keep going and good luck ;)
adi prasongko_GOOD LUCK BIKE MESSENGERS COURIERS 2021#
Watching it in 2020 being a beginner Bike Messenger from Peru, shit what a good video showing how things REALLY are, not like everything is perfect, funny and with classy people into their 12000$ bikes. And yeah! Fixed Gear no brakes man!
and btw what a great music, perfect for the video
I use to be a Bicycle Courier. It's not worth it.! ! ! I now work for FEDEX as a Part Time Driver and I never had any bad experience.
worst flatspot right in the beginning...I mean, I ride fixed but really try to make the tires last. that type of skid is just destructive and showboating, really..
I ride fixed and I totally agree with you!!!
@Patrick Bateman true...flex if you got it
nah this was definitely more like 03-04. good to see the old heads on the internets. the good old days.
I respect Messengers, I'm a concierge & every time a messenger stops by my building I great them well & treat them with respect. Some are cool & appreciate it & others are cold but then again they get shit from lots of people. I'm a cycle commuter so we have that cycling love in common & probably a lot more despite career differences. I wonder how messengers view commuter cyclist?
I loved this job. Never a day dragged on. At first I was overwhelmed with not knowing exactly how to fill out a waybill, realizing I was not as fit as I thought, and feeling overwhelmed when the jobs started to pile up at month end but when it became learned it was so fun. You learn just how stupid most drivers are.
this would be the perfect job ever. Get paid for riding a bike all day. No gas, no bullshit.
indeed
Smileyfacedkiller It is a love it or hate it job. Hard long days dodging assholes in their cars trying to door you or run you over, but you have dozens of friends working as messengers and you have this complete underground art culture. I messengered for almost five years and had a great time, but in the end the ass clowns ruined for me and damn near killed me in their cars. Young people should try it for at least a few months...However, do not romanticize this gig or stop being fast thinking when you ride as that is when you get doored.
I'm actually doing this now. I'm a bike courier for Postmates. Love the job but my road rage has been getting worse.
tis a good job
+Smileyfacedkiller thinking about starting to do this myself here in Philly!!
I loved the movie Premium Rush. Thanks for this video.
Nice work. Liked the music too.
oooh, that's a tricky question. Personally if I wanted to do it, I'd just ask some local messenger what the companies are that have bike couriers and apply. I dont think they would ask cuz most are pretty casual outfits. But you do deliver legal docs and may need to be an "adult" to witness that something has been delivered.
i worked at united lawyers service before as a courier , a walking courier, i seen all these bike couriers all around, they say the pay aint worth getting hit by a car, sick life but fun . i ride bikes all the time a thrill
Completely depends on the city, as far as I know. Some dont have many and tend to keep or rehire messengers but in huge cities I get the impression that they always hire like NY, London etc.If you can handle it. The most important skill is to really know the city, then prioritizing...then bike skill. This is only my opinion/experiance.YMMV.Oh ya, with the current hipster trendiness of this work, there may be alot of others lookin for the same job.
Exciting fun job before u hit forty. but a personal hell once u pass that advanced age. -former NYC messenger here!
Excellent video!
What's quite moving for me is as in William Gibson's novel Virtual Light.. these people are trying to hold on or do something giving them some freedom. And how fucking hard that is in this world. If you don't want to submit to some boring low paid job with colleagues you hate what are your options? And it's the same for artists, illustrators a massive group of the work force who try to survive not by fucking up the planet but buy trying to contribute to society. Sad irony they have to deliver the legal stuff for scum bag corporations.
617 PuNx Boston area code. Good riding conditions over there.
wow i go to ccp & im about to start bike delivering next week. cool!
If you ask me, the city of brotherly love is not Philadelphia. It is... Detroit.
Now I'm hungry for a cheesesteak.
awsome video , i wish i could have there job ,
I was thinking about doing something like this for a job.
great vid
Biking is huge in the hipster subculture... Not as big as underground music, but bigger than vintage clothing.
Boston: Tracks. Doors. No signals. Pedestrians SPRINTING into the street for the T and last but not least *drum roll* Bicyclists who preach about asses and they themselves are asses (no matter how many wheels, it goes both ways, ya dig?) And all of this is -e v e r y w h e r e- not to mention awesome New England weather. Smiles all around.
This is a great video. However, Beware of unmarked packages that might give you superpowers.
Great vid.
Recomend after 11 years
This video is so dope
Can we get a version without the music? : - )
These are only my opinions but...The music is annoying. Not enough interview audio. FYI.
Why a fixie as opposed to a geared bike? What's the advantage for a messenger?
Just seen a video of that girl, she got smashed in a hit and run incident, pretty fucked up and no one helped her. People be crazy.
god damn i miss biking around philly lol
Im on her side...leave me the fuck aloe i have a job to do thats that
I hang out at a more trendy part of town here in Knoxville and it seems like all of them walk, drive a big ugly van, or ride a bike.
Philly love little Nicky Scarfo
Ever notice that the Pony Express existed before bicycles did?
Yo that's philly right?
@risinson18 Haha I think 2001....maybe. Thanks for contributing. We got an A!
Hope all is well
Hello there, :) i would like some tips, just 5 minytes of your time.
Bike messengers, how do they communicate with the "base" to take the next address?
its a cellphone? a VHF radio reciever? or something else? pliz send me some link of what you use.
Thanks again for your time.
i love this jop its sport and fun and money too same like i do now dive teacher sport and fun and money plus girls
Hamada Hassan It's money when you get a ticket dumb fuck? you lose money. Hello!!!
do you speaks english nigga? hello
Who are good bike shops in philly for a custom build ???
Like what Kessler said No one respects a bike messenger.
What kind of bike did the guy that got footed have
sorry dude, i love bikes and this documentary seems amazing but after 3 minutes i just couldnt stand the musical background
Cool short, what was your mark?
What frame is the black one?
LMAO how in America walking is seen as 'trendy' and adventurous. "Are you sure you're gonna go by foot?!! I mean.. its, its almost a mile away!"
song name please. advns thanks!
anybody know title of the last song?
no..i want too) to find her. :)
i thought philly was the city of brotherly love?
Come to mke. The home of the bike messenger
Wicked video. Philly documentaries rule. The Love Park skate doco was rad, and now this one about couriering. I totally agree with the girl - get the fuck outta my way. In London its the same. Car doors, lemmings meanering out on their phones, and yes, I've been hit from behind too by some ignorant wanker in a Galaxy. Fuckin minicabs eh?
Pure fix cycles upgrade: drop handlebars
Someone could please, tell me in english, what the guy says in the time 01:34s? when they ars asked "What."
We facilitate every.....
I'm not english speaker, so, some words are difficult to understand...thanks
5 años más tarde pero dice que facilitan como casi toda las actividades legales, "we.... Like facilitate all the legal actions on this city.."
Got here from Premium Rush
@primalfigure fair enough. po- tay- to, po-tat- o
Drone deliveries are coming
I want the song list 😱
me to.. give me please song list! idemand!!)
@risinson18 which one are you?
SKS X-Tra Dry X3 Fender
@risinson18 What do you do now?
Yes I've been hit by cars. It happens. I've had bike on bike incidents. But the only time I ever hit a person with my bike is because Jesus told me to. I'm a Christian.
i bought my first fixie but by the time it gets to me theres gunna be snow :(
Good. Fixies are good in the snow
Drake Pruett Good job dumb fuck, hipster wannabe. People Are sheep!!!
+Kenith M Damn u salty af. DId daddy not come back from the store that one time?
ye
why not motorcycle ?
Angry Trevor!
Rip my right ear
What? I'm not even from the states. I moved here last year. I walked nearley 8 miles today. Leave me alone you tool.
@DarkoBWM Do not buy them. People steal them all the time.
But I did not say car. I said van. I was specific. If you ask for somthing to eat, I do not bring you rocks. I know what you mean. You want food.
Parking meter attendant lmfao
Premium rush stole half of its plot from this vid
It cant be safe spending that much time on city streets. Reflectors and lights make you more visible and they dont weigh much at all. They ride like maniacs and wonder why cars hit them.
we dont wonder why cars hit us, and we dont look to sue the moment we get into an accident, a proper messenger shakes it off, pops the chain back on and rides off glad to be alive another day.
How trendy of you XD
loud music
Mohammed Zakaria ali it's shit and way to loud while doing interviews.
was a messenger for a year. fucking sucked in all honesty. there's about 1 hour of fun in the 8 hour day.
why use crappy fixies? a race bike (tour de france style) is much faster, better and safe.
its cheaper, less parts to break
Cute story, but it's not true. Whenever I see a biker get doored he usually gets too banged up to throw anything.
They'd be much faster if they just used brakes
Yes sure, we need couriers, but couriers exist because corporations exists, those corporation employees drives in cars, so it is symbiosis, what we ALL don't need is Government Regulations choking everyone from going about their lives........ More corporations, more Couriers, more coffee shops, more jobs !!!!
Wow Philadelphia looks like Chicago. It's to bad that these types of jobs are considered "cool" by some of the hipster generation, it illigitimizes the job. And at this point bicycle messengers are a dime a dozen.
yup. me and all of those other people without cars and homeless people and people in third world countries. So pretentious.
Hipsters look up to them.. that sucks.
maybe they'd be faster if they lose some piercings lol
BİSİKLET KURYE
istanbul bike messenger
fun job, easy city to work in, but it is NOT A CAREER, you will have to grow up and move on.sorry.