Bike Messengers dwindling in numbers but not spirit

Once numbering 20 or more, just four full-time messengers -- all in their 40s -- ply their trade in the city streets.

[@rowdyrobbyrider4226]

I was a bike messenger for 13 years. It was a fun job for sure and met a lot of great people! Probably would still be doing it if all the courts in my area didn’t go paperless. Those filings were how we made most of our money.

[@cyclistbrata1959]

I'm 48 and i'm a bike messenger in Bogor, Indonesia..

[@paperclip9558]

Wow, there's a bike messenger in there? I thought that kind of work wouldn't work in Indonesia since motorcycles dominates the street already?

[@cyclistbrata1959]

@@paperclip9558 almost each big city in Indonesia have 1 or 3 small bike messenger company

[@bracketa]

@@paperclip9558 Mr. Hall, the gentleman talking first in the video is using a *Life Behind Bars ECHELON [S] 22L Messenger bag.* Made in *Indonesia.* I believe its big in that lovely country

[@laopang91362]

You have to love it, not for people without passion in cycling.

[@s3nsec0rruptr80]

I was messenger there briefly, at Rainbow. I was so glad to see Nate in there! I loved that guy. A little bummed Davy Rocket wasn't there but glad to see Nate still kicking ass!

[@Windingify]

Seeing these guys makes me feel sorry about the paperless, digital world. Then again it has a lot of good as well. I do hope they make it thru and perservere! 💪🏼

[@txlangster6276]

Great video featuring great folks.

[@garrett3055]

My aunties boyfriend did this in Edmonton, I’ve always wondered about trying it myself

[@aggro0o886]

No insurance no retirement

[@leontaylor3721]

If u do what u love every single day it doesnt matter how much u get paid for it

[@candylover8118]

So super cool. I’d love to joint y’all!

[@francikaa1]

These dudes are over 40 yrs and non of them has wrinkles around their eyes. That's what 20+ yrs of cycling does. I can confirm that by personal experience.

[@agemirosopodehaverum7967]

Salve brasil

[@annacarter6559]

If something is this urgent, you have failed to plan

[@Adem-sb8mb]

I'm somewhat curious on why most of them are on flat pedals and not clips considering the distance they must ride?

[@mryotahead]

Lol. Try the job and see how it is with clips . Walk all day in clips too

[@macro16]

I do it in NYC. It's a pain in the ass to walk in clips when you go inside buildings. Also, you need to release pretty fast sometimes.

[@itsjustpizza]

Good job perpetuating the myths guys.

[@numbaoneg101]

It’s probably preference. Maybe one of their bikes will have clips but one won’t.

[@jasonmansey]

Because they’re old and they stand in the courthouse all day...

[@Ryan-Fixd]

Never knew there was a street called gay st look at 1.31

[@michaelchisom321]

Ride like you do...

[@jayrealuglah6011]

How do I become one??

[@TonyWony]

I work for deliveroo and door dash casually on a road bike. Not the same as you see on tv and Media, but i enjoy it as a hobby+ pay

[@mitch8836]

first before u work as a messenger. u have to do these steps otherwise u wont survive out there for a month. 1. before u start working as a bike messenger, work or delivery first, get used to beeing in rush be fast. 2. get ur own fixie bike for around 400€, learn to take it apart and how to put it back together again cuz u will get flats someday and u need to be quick replacing ur tube or fixing it. as a beginner, stretch half an hour before riding or even a entire hour if ur really not trained. dont cycle to fast since u will 100% get hurt becouse of ur thighs they will cramp etc. you will get used to fast driving after doing it for 2 months. right now i am driving without much effort 30kmh - 18,6mph, most people go 20 kmh - 12,4mph. when im really in a rush i go probally like 37-42+ but only for like 20minutes than i need a 5min brake. do delivery for 6 months (fast pacing, even when the app tells u that u still have 6 minutes left) get used to beeing fast and having no time. after the 6 months go to a messenger company and good luck, they will test u, they did it with me they tested me for 3 days before accepting me and i had to be fucking fast to get into, only the fast ones will stay

[@jayrealuglah6011]

@@mitch8836 Ive already been riding fixie for about 5 months I'm just trying to figure out how can I find a messanger/delivery job

[@mitch8836]

@@jayrealuglah6011 where are u from? it depends man. if ur from amerika or europe go to restourant or email them, call them. if they are hiring bike couriers. or work for lieferando, flink, wolt. if u have these in ur area. dont work as a messenger first, it will destroy u up :D. start working for a few months as a delivery guy before entering the big boys game

[@jayrealuglah6011]

@@mitch8836 I'm from Dallas so starting food delivery in downtown will be easy. Sounds good tho thanks. I would love to be a messenger tho

[@myfirstcrappyvideobilly]

I want to do paper

[@tonystoops7802]

I guess their wives have good jobs.😂

[@itsjustpizza]

Wow.

[@fuego8483]

If only I could give up my well-paid desk job to work like this. I also guess that they're healthier and happier than most of us.

[@Jesusloveswhitetoes]

These guys are slow af on the bike 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@annacarter6559]

Thank god there is less of them