Moving targets

Part 4

by Jason Gay

Bike messengers aren't trying to duck their responsibilities on Boston's roadways. Most of them acknowledge their complicity in making the streets an obstacle course of walkers, drivers, and messengers. But they don't want to be singled out.

"It's terrible when someone gets hurt, but the public and media reaction tends to be a lot of finger-pointing," says James Hallisey, a veteran messenger, bicycle builder, and owner of Best Bike Couriers. "It doesn't get down to the root issue, which is road safety for everyone."

After all, you needn't explain to messengers that city cycling can be dangerous. They have the broken bones to prove it. You can go down the list: Matthew Russell busted a collarbone; Andrew van Gulden's been hit by cars at least four or five times; Jim Majorowski was catapulted over a hood, landing on his head and splitting his helmet into three pieces. Practically everyone has been "doored" at least once -- that is, sent airborne by a driver opening a car door into the line of traffic.

The fact is that bike messengers have a vested interest in making their workplace less risky. Beyond the headlines, there are some steps that would clearly help make the streets safer for everyone:

Awareness. Hallisey and others want the city make a full-blown effort to improve road safety. This means not only better training for messengers -- Hallisey supports mandated training for newcomers -- but also more cooperation from drivers and pedestrians. If messengers are going to learn their hand signals, then pedestrians should be taught not to barrel into traffic. Likewise, drivers should be aware of the presence of cyclists in the road, remember to signal turns, and avoid opening doors into oncoming traffic.

"To me, it comes down to respect," says Hallisey. "Respect for everyone's right to use the street."

Licensing. The city's current licensing system needs sharper teeth. Right now, all you need to do is pay $20, pass a background check, and you're sent on the road. The city should consider giving messengers at least a brief examination on bike safety, similar to tests for automobile drivers.

There's no reason why even a few unlicensed couriers should be allowed to work on the streets. Businesses must avoid using or accepting deliveries from unlicensed messengers, as the Boston Chamber of Commerce has recommended. And courier companies who employ them should face penalties.

As for mandatory equipment, helmets and prominently displayed numbers are wise, but Boston shouldn't insist on orange vests or other uniforms. Messengering is a profession that celebrates individuality, and couriers won't go for city-mandated outfits. No matter how cute.

Enforcement. Current regulations are too often ignored. Messengers are always going to resist strict policing, but they need to be convinced that courier rules aren't just for show. Riders should know that if they refuse to carry a license, wear their number, or abuse traffic laws, they can and will face a progressive series of fines.

Boston Police spokesperson Detective Sergeant Margot Hill believes that if regulations are tightly enforced, messengers will begin to encourage others to obey the law. "Compliance is really the key," Hill says.

However, at the same time, it's important to keep the playing field level. That's why in addition to patrolling bike messengers, police assigned to high-traffic areas should also be watching, reminding, and fining wayward automobiles and pedestrians.

"Enforcement of rules and regulations is really going to be the deterrent," says Choice Courier's Jack Avery. "Whether it's not wearing the right equipment or jaywalking, when fines are really levied, then people are going to pay attention."

Organization. For too long, Boston's messengers have been a business community without a voice, devoid of leadership and unrepresented in city government. This weakness was apparent during the past several weeks of media coverage, when a tightly orchestrated anti-messenger brigade got its message across with nary a peep of response from city couriers.

"We're a small group, and we don't have a lot of money and power," says Adam Ford, who serves on the city's bicycle advisory committee. "Plus, we're young."

But those factors shouldn't stop Boston's bike messengers from organizing to make their voices heard in city affairs. Though couriers are fiercely independent -- obviously, not everyone agrees all the time -- they should consider forming an association that includes representatives who can speak for the profession.

Last month's accident has created an opportunity for cooperation and constructive solutions. But that means putting the brakes on the recent hyperbole -- and dispelling stereotypes about the messengering profession. Likewise, couriers need to set aside their mistrust of authority, acknowledge their shortcomings, and agree to some changes.

If it earns back some respect, messengers like Jim Majorowski are willing to give it a try.

"Maybe something good might come from this," he says. "We don't have to be renegades."

Back to part 3 - On to rules of the road

Jason Gay can be reached at jgay[a]phx.com.