(Photos by J. Maus/BikePortland)
If you see a bike messenger in your office or in your lane today, give ’em a nod or say “thanks.”
You should probably always do this, given the importance and symbolism of their chosen profession; but today is special because it’s 10-9 Day, a.k.a. Messenger Appreciation Day.
Bicycle messengers are still going strong in Portland.
You might have met the wonderful Meghan Mack via her profile in the Willamette Week back in June, or you might have come to recognize one of the familiar faces of one of her colleagues at Magpie Messenger Collective. After all, they’ve been in business for 14 years.
In an industry that has seen so much change over the years, I find it somewhat reassuring to know that there are still people plying the courier trade using bicycles everyday.
Thanks messengers!
[Note: If you’d like to guarantee a messenger sighting in downtown Portland, so you can deliver a smile or, perhaps, a token of appreciation, I’d try the Chrome store on SW 10th or the Stumptown on 3rd.]
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What with computer hacking and other signs that there is no electronic privacy, the trade of carrying messages written on paper may get a serious second wind. Don’t think of messengers or letter carriers as obsolete, please!
This story… reads funny. Or something.
Never had this 20 years ago when I was a messenger in CHI and MPLS.
Twenty years ago i worked in big pink and these folks reliably shuttled my drawings back and forth in really crappy weather and i did not pay mutch attention. Now through the mountain bike community i have become good friends with one, from my generation, who likely delivered to my office. Now we ride together in really crappy weather. So treat your messengers well because they can tell a tall story and you may be in one.