Chicago Bike Messenger Helmet Cam

In 2001 I worked as a bike messenger in Chicago. One day I screwed a video camera to my helmet and filmed much of my day. I recently found this video, converted it to digital format, and edited it down to about twenty minutes. This video is the result.
This video shows a broad view of the bike messenger occupation including all the normal boring details. Riding the freight elevator, signing in with security guards, collecting signatures from receptionists, interacting with the public, fielding banal questions, and of course, navigating traffic without getting creamed.
This footage also highlights the incessant crackling of the outdated two-way radio. Since most messenger companies no longer use these walkie-talkie systems, there's an added layer of nostalgia here. The two-way radio audio is clear in this video. Try to imagine dodging traffic, staying on target, AND keeping in tune with what's happening on the radio at all times.
Hope you like this video. Please help share this. Repost as you wish. Comments welcome.
I've had many questions about the camera. Here's a photo: cetmacargo.tumb...

[@energybilly]

I was a messenger for Arrow 2000-01. Brings back memories. Hardest, scariest job I ever loved!

[@brentmcgillis]

Great video of a Great American city. Bike courier is how I started in the messenger biz. If you don't run red lights you ain't gonna make any money is the way I always looked at it. Good times thanKs for posting the video man.

[@CETMAracks]

You're welcome.

[@energybilly]

I rode a mongoose cx 3.5 w street tires. I wore it out completely in the time I worked. Miss the brotherhood of guys/girls who always had your back. Thanx for the vid brother!

[@thecardsharp_]

Amazing video. A real day in the life. Kind of inspires one to get up, get on a bike, and gain a new perspective on your own city. Well done!

[@thehouserocker]

Thanks for posting this! early in the video you were around the "Streeterville" area and I worked at Ohio and St.Clair from 98-02, it was great to revisit what it looked like back then!

[@tcorourke2007]

First time I ever saw a vid like this, Andy Greg had a security cam taped to his helmet on a Tour Da Chicago Alleycat, (2002?). The camera angle distorted the perspective, everybody watching footage shouted and cringed when he passed between cars. You guys were ahead of your time, bro! You also were riding well-- patient and tight. Haha, 11:00 is 311 S. Wacker, go in off Van Buren, the doormen are pricks. Nice clean, dry. brisk winter day in Chicago. Nothing better. Thanks for sharing!

[@Grudr-w9w]

Ahh, memories! I couriered in Vancouver in the late 80's and much of the 90's, then in Calgary, through the 00's. I wish POV cameras were around back then.

[@CETMAracks]

Thanks for your comment. Good times, for sure. I also wish there was more video like this from those more analog days.

[@foodpedaler7051]

Awesome maneuver at 9:10! That truck wasn't going to stop you from moving forward.

[@alexfbone7]

I was 7 years old when you filmed this, now I'm 18 going on 19.

[@ontime45]

Well done brother, I rode for KDR-METRO, Apex, Ontime, Standard Courier same year.

[@jra2481]

As a courier in philly this is accurate. Lots of eating traffic and sidewalks. No sped up bullshit or shooting into intersections like a maniac. Saw how you look every way and occasionally wait at a traffic light. Love how you kept the long boring trips up high rises, at least they give you a rest from the cold though. I see alot of irresponsible examples of messing in cities on youtube and this is not one of them. Very good work. I bet your helmet cam looked ridiculous back then.

[@muchomusiclibre]

Great video. I love peoples reactions to the camera.

[@c97v]

I wasn’t even born yet.. 20 years later I’m doing the same thing but in a completely different world.

[@minipizza]

Chicago looks so different in this video. It's been a long time!

[@CETMAracks]

It's 2023 now, I'm dying to revisit Chicago again. Love that city.

[@CETMAracks]

Absolutely right. The job is brutal on the body, especially when you're a rookie (like I was in this video). I remember every single part of my body being sore-- My feet, ankles, knees, thigh muscles, ass (of course) stomach muscles, shoulders and arms, hands and neck--all wrecked. Mentally, this job is so taxing--the amount of constant stimulus and distraction combined with necessary attention and focus is tremendous, indeed.

[@Cambaudio]

Cool video, I'm fascinated by messengers. Thanks.

[@LaneKagay]

+Cambaudio Thanks.

[@Cambaudio]

+Lane Kagay Np, this video was awhile ago, are you still messaging?

[@v3nom72]

You are getting some very strange looks of people, just how big is this recorder that you have strapped to the side of your head ;) Great video though Lane, thanks for sharing it with us.

[@thecastman97]

"there's a camera on your head" i got that too damn much when i took my friends gopro on a spin afterschool -___-

[@norellpolk]

this was done in dec 2001 around christmas you were working for deadline express i recognize the offices incl some of the other messengers arrow messenger.dynamex

[@CETMAracks]

Hey, thanks. Glad you liked it.

[@CETMAracks]

Aw yeah! I agree, but roofing in the LA summer for minimum wage was pretty hard, too. Pre-9-11 was a great time to be a messenger. Even though some security sucked, it was nothing compared to post-9-11. I'd say the mess job became worse after that went down. Thanks for commenting!

[@CETMAracks]

You're welcome. I'm really happy I did this. The heavy camera was hard on my neck, but the pre-9/11 timing was perfect. Nobody gave me problems. I don't think you could pull this off today.

[@CETMAracks]

Thanks. That was a good time to be a messenger.

[@GOJU4LIFE1]

DUDE!!!!!!!! I saw the link to the [ic of your set up...DAMN!!!!!!! HUGE!!!! that lens is WOW! LMFAO! good shit bro.

[@ontime34]

Used to ride for KDR/Metro, Apex, Standard Courier and Ontime Courier.

[@sheridan353]

my favorite part.... 14:19 where the guy just sits in the elevator and hits buttons with his stick

[@CETMAracks]

Yep. I've linked to a photo of my setup--check the description to this video above.

[@norellpolk]

the toll it takes on your body is tremendous.when i rode all day and when i finished my legs would hurt back would be stiff it was hard climbing up the stairs there were times when i had to have a stiff drink a smoke a cigarette just to relax even when i was asleep in the middl of the night i would hear the radio calls in my brain.that what its was like for me

[@CETMAracks]

You bet! You're very welcome. I had a crazy wide-angle lens which screwed to my Handy-cam. I don't remember the angle but it was pretty extreme. The effect exaggerates the movement for sure and also captures more action. You're correct about the Wacker pricks!!

[@CETMAracks]

Yep, the camaraderie was major. Nobody else can know what it's like to do/live this job except another messenger. You can't understand how it changes a person until you've experienced it. I have nothing to compare that to.

[@CETMAracks]

Yes, it did look ridiculous, although totally worth it, I think. I've linked to a photo of my setup--check the description to this video above.

[@norellpolk]

do you have a footage of you riding under lower lakeshore drive from illinois under lower lakeshore drive going through the following across the bridge heading toward lower randolph and wacker and back again.when i look at this footage it brings back memories you can say we owned the streets and everthing else

[@CETMAracks]

Yeah, the camera was pretty big, certainly not right for balancing on your head. I've linked to a photo of my setup--check the description to this video above.

[@norellpolk]

well i can tell you what routes you took when this was made.out from deadline east on grand to wells.east on ill to lower michigan to grande and st clair.west on grand back to ll michigan to tribune messenger center nb on st clair to 142 e ontario then sb to well and adams to vanburen.jackson eb to 208 lasalle then north on lasalle to 2n riverside then eb on lake then south on wells

[@norellpolk]

many of the people we picked up and delivered to didnt show us no respect there was alwas someone alwas asking us how is the weather outside

[@cadedash85]

wow id love to hav the confidence to do this

[@saadlaouaouda2071]

This is gold!

[@CETMAracks]

I've linked to a photo of my setup--check the description to this video above.

[@CETMAracks]

You're welcome. Thanks!

[@energybilly]

We actually had Nextel radios.

[@scionius]

So thats what 2001 looked like!

[@TriiangleJellyfiish]

naw its just the time of seasona nd where hes at

[@CETMAracks]

If the driver would've signaled I'd pass on the left no problem.

[@JO3062]

The first gopro? ;)

[@CETMAracks]

Yep, sorta. I wish I had a GoPro back then. My neck was wrecked the next day!

[@harleyHDz]

laughing at death is just... like... wtf man..

[@stayfreshvandalz]

Cause ya know brakes totally make someone less of a messenger.

[@schlooonginator]

Where's the best pizza shop?

[@JD_82]

bet you look funny with that camera on you're helmet :-)

[@norellpolk]

under lower wacker drive between franklin st toward the daley center north on mich at ohio west on randolph then west on grande to orleans then back to michigan sb then back north on franklin eb back on michigan north on to ohio west toward the deadline office

[@Jonxwood]

Riveting.

[@CETMAracks]

Who's laughing at death?

[@CETMAracks]

Wahh!

[@schlooonginator]

Victoria, Canada has lousy pizza.

[@observingrogue7652]

"That camera isn't on?" "No" I'm an amateur grammar nazi, but I think that was a double negative, so technically, you didn't lie. If he asked: "Is that camera on?", and you said no, that would be a lie. Lucky for you, at the time, his grammatical standards weren't high. (＾◡＾)

[@CETMAracks]

Haha.

[@schlooonginator]

@CETMAracks mmm, sound yummy.I'd love to see some big Eastern US cities-Chicago, New York etc.Really would love to ride in the downtown areas-it must be a rush.Too bad I'm poor and have a bit of a record that may make getting there a problem. Not to mention my thorough disgust with your Government, media and the sad mainstream head-in -the-sand beliefs. Sad really because America was founded on such brilliant principals and has been corrupted by a greedy elite at the expense of average Americans

[@CETMAracks]

Yeah, I'm the kind of messenger that can spell "douche" correctly. If you're going to try to insult someone, at least spell your words right, dummy.

[@CETMAracks]

I've linked to a photo of my setup--check the description to this video above.