Tomorrow is Bike Messenger Appreciation Day

Tuesday, October 9th is Bike Messenger Appreciation Day. Not only are they part of the solution when it comes to urban issues like pollution and traffic congestion, bike messengers contribute to society in ways many people havn’t considered.

They’re more accessible than an drivers and often hold doors, give directions and report accidents. Messengers see more of the city because they ride the back streets, through parks and in the alleys. By simply being present in less used parts of the city, messengers deter crime and provide a link between many of the marginalized urbanites and the rest of the downtown core.

And obviously, more bikes and less cars make our streets safer. Studies show that pedestrians are “250 times as likely to be injured by a car, bus or taxi” than a bike. And by riding year round, messengers promote the bicycle as a viable form of environmentally-friendly transportation. For more, visit www.messmedia.org/messville.