Wut

Not saying all bike messengers because perhaps there are some that follow the rules, but has anyone watch this documentary about bike messengers?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WBeuK0ovASM

While I certainly admire and respect what these guys are doing to an extent when factoring the talent and skill level required to survive day to day, a lot of them are breaking a lot of laws, and pose a safety hazard. What do you guys feel about these guys..seeing them run through red lights, etc.

curbtender

Probably why they call them messengers and not psycholist.

CB HI

Do cab drivers give motorist a bad name?

kenji666

Do you give love a bad name?

Chris516

In one way, yes they do. In the rush to get the package to the address, the video shows several messengers 'splitting lanes'. Regardless of whether someone is a bike messenger or not. Splitting the lane is extremely risky. Just like being in DZBL. With a DZBL, the cyclist only has to be aware of a door possibly opening on one side. When 'splitting the lane', a door could open from both sides.

I know it doesn't apply to the purpose of the question in the thread. But I was in total and complete amazement, at the bike messenger with one leg.

KevinF

What's DZBL?

mconlonx

Part of the whole point of a bike messenger is to be faster than traffic. You can't really do that without breaking laws and making sketchy moves. Traffic in this case would also include other cyclists, dawdling around where bikes usually travel, forcing messengers to choose alternate routes through traffic.

Some set a bad example; some don't. Same could be said of commuters, or recreational riders, or...

rebel1916

They are gods among men.

Jaywalk3r

From context, I think it means door zone bike lane, an example of a poorly implemented bike lane.

dynaryder

This.



Seriously,I think the average person recognizes that messengers aren't regular cyclists,in the same way they don't recognize street racers as regular drivers.

Chris516

Yes, That is what it means.

Chris516

I am 50/50 on the perception of bike messengers. While I am not one. In the DC-Metro region, just like NYC, there are times even before n' after rush hour, who don't pay attention to the road. So delivering by the likes of FedEx, UPS, etc., is not feasible for the distance. Because, They can't get through congested traffic. At the same time, I do agree with you, about them breaking the traffic laws and making bad choices. Every time I saw a cyclist 'splitting the lane', it reminded me of John Candy in 'Armed and Dangerous', where he commandeers a motorcycle and weaves through traffic(taking off a door in the process). Also G.W. Bailey who commandeers a motorcycle in one of the 'Police Academy' serials, splitting the lane, until he crashes into a stopped horse trailer, ending up in the backside of the horse.

I definitely agree, that it isn't just some bike messengers that set a bad example. Commuters, recreational riders, and some athletes, set a bad example.

wolfchild

Leave them alone !!..It's part of their job to break the laws. So what ??..How many commuters and weekend warriors break the traffic laws ??..If anything gives cyclist a bad name it's the wannabes dressing like racers who break just about every traffic law out there and club riders who act as if they are more important then everybody else.

rekmeyata

There's not enough of them around to even phase the reputation of cyclists, cyclists are ruining that on their own quite well.

DX-MAN

Dexter Benjamin, remember reading about him YEARS ago in Bicycling magazine; lost his right leg at about 9-y-o when a truck ran him over.

He had some serious success for a while, was building up a courier business, but some poor staffing killed that. I also remember an anecdote about his trials & tribs as a NYC messenger: his bike got stolen, and shortly afterward, the thief tried to sell it to him. Seeing as how it was a pure custom (left-side crank, no right crankarm), it was pretty obvious to anyone but the thief whose bike it was.

Chris516

I wouldn't say it is their job to break the traffic laws. That would almost be like saying it is an indian's 'God given responsibility', to attack the cowboys out west.

I wear bike shorts, not just for aerodynamics. I wore gym shorts yesterday and it hurt like crazy. I also feel, by cycling on the road, I have a responsibility to the rest of the traffic by going 20-30mph on 30-40mph roads.

Chris516

That is sad. He definitely is a good role model.

Chaco

One of the real signs of the lack of power of a social group is the constant urging by members of that group to "set a good example." When a social group has real power, you don't see that. Drivers don't tell people who are drunk or texting while driving that they're "giving drivers a bad name." Members of the 1% don't complain that the bankers who put our country into an economic tailspin are giving rich people a bad name. When a social group has real power, its members are free to realize that their errant members do their misdeeds as individuals, not as representatives of their group. When a group lacks power, it often absorbs the mentality of the powerless, i.e. they buy into the bogus idea that their powerlessness results from their own bad behavior.

B. Carfree

Except for the part where scofflaw messenger don't kill people. However, there is a class of road user that has been killing/maiming Americans at incredible levels for decades...

Chris516

That is definitely true!!!

spare_wheel

Can you explain what you mean here. I often lane split precisely to avoid right hook risk and door zone risk.

curbtender

I only do it in stopped traffic coming up to onramps or major thoroughfares. I'm sure I surprise people, but at least I know they've seen me.

RobertHurst

Lane-splitting usually puts you in two door zones, so... out of the frying pan and into the fire. Especially in cities with lots of cabs.

Chris516

Exactly. Also, By lane-splitting, you have to watch out for the reactions of motorists' on both sides who get surprised when seeing a cyclist passing that way, in stopped traffic. It also enriches the hostility that motorists' have towards cyclists'.

-=(8)=-

Pass the Prozak, I agree with CB HI ?!?!?



Really, I think like 1% bikers, they have an image that people just associate with the profession.
I think even the most casual observer wouldn't lump them in with any of the usual caste system.