messenger's creed.

"this is my bicycle.
there are many like it,
but this one is mine.

my bicycle is my best friend.
i ride it in the rain and traffic
so that i can pay the rent.

without me, my bicycle is useless.
without my bicycle, i am useless.

on my bicycle i must be fast.
i must be smarter than any driver who might hit me.
i will dodge them before they hit me down.

my bicycle and i know that what counts on the street isn't fixed gears, or carbon fiber,
dura-ace, or a campy record,
where i hang out, or who i work for,
we know it's the packages we deliver that count.

i will deliver.
i will deliver.
i will deliver.

my bicycle is human even as i am because it is my life
thus i have learned it like a brother;
like a sister.

i know it's drivetrain, it's top speed,
it's cornering and stopping distance,
it's limits and how to push them.

i keep my tires inflated and my chain clean and ready
even if i am ready.

this is my bicycle.
this is my bicycle.
this, is my bicycle.
we're a part of each other."

i respect messengers and what they do. i dont have any intention to mimic, mock, or undermine their work. this only deepens my respect for their jobs. i even typed the whole thing out because i enjoyed it so much. sans messenger stuff, this creed can make sense for the modern cyclist. it's very important to know the limits of a bicycle. it's important to be aware of your surroundings. it's important to learn and know how to maintain a bicycle. i hope all those new fixed gear riders who glorify the messenger community realize that messengers do extremely dangerous stuff on bicycles- yet it is their life, their meal ticket. i encourage all fixed gear riders to watch this video, as well as all cyclists.

props to dan gingold as well as the many couriers who to part in this video.

jmik.