General Cycling Discussion - Good Book about a messenger

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View Full Version : Good Book about a messenger


the_stew_man
08-10-02, 04:23 AM
I just finished reading a pretty good book about a messenger in Chicago; he works for service first courier. It's called "The Immortal Class, Bike Messengers and the Cult of Human Power" and it’s by Travis Hugh Culley. Its a pretty decent book gives you some insights into the world of bike messengers and their struggles against SUV's and cars in general. The book is well written. I think it would be a pretty good read for any cyclist, it has certainly woken me up to the attitudes of American motorists towards cyclists. He also gives some interesting accounts of his attempts and others to raise the awareness about cycling through the Chicago critical mass group. All in All it’s a pretty fascinating account of life through the eyes of a messenger.
Stew


Maelstrom
08-10-02, 11:01 AM
I haven't read the book but I can imagine some of the things a messenger has to say. And for the most part they are some of the worst bikers around. At least in Vancouver and Toronto (both places I have lived). I think a number of the problems roadies have with drivers in big cities is predisposed because of violations done to them at the hands of a messenger in a rush.

Not to say drivers aren't guilty too but messengers do everything drivers hate. They seem erratic pulling out and crossing when they need to at high speeds. While the biker may think he is in control the driver can't and won't know that.

A F Baker
08-10-02, 05:01 PM
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?threadid=5583&highlight=immortal+class

Check out this link.