News
Squid in the Post
March 31, 2008
Check it out! Pick up a copy today.
New York Bike Dreams - Takuya’s Photography
Next NYBMA meeting
Wednesday April 2nd, 7PM - 470 Flushing @ Spencer (1 block east of Bedford)
Top Floor
indoor Bike parking if you don’t mind the stairs
There will be food, and we’ll be talking about unionization, insurance, and improvements to the website.
Next NYBMA meeting
Tuesday March 18th - 470 Flushing @ Spencer (1 block east of Bedford)
Top Floor
indoor Bike parking if you don’t mind the stairs
Food will be ready shortly after 630. Couscous is on the menu, plus a bunch of other stuff.
The Meeting will begin at 730.
If you came last time, try to bring someone new this week.
Monster Track Main Race Cancelled
Side Events (including VeloCity) to continue as scheduled
The organizers of Monster Track 2008 have decided, after careful consideration, to cancel this year’s main race.
This decision did not come easy and was debated at length. Our reasons are many but the overall factor was that the race has become unmanageable due to the large participation and our concern for the participant’s safety.
As many of you know, Monster Track started as a race held for a small, close group of NYC bike messengers. It has now become an overwhelmingly all-inclusive event. This, on its face, may seem like a positive direction for a race but in the context of a solely track bike alleycat it brings many problems. First and foremost, the safety of the racers is compromised. We believe that this is not a tenable position for race organizers.
Although the main race is canceled, please join us for Gold Sprints on Friday evening, Fixed Gear Competition (track stands, skids, footdown, freestyle, sprints, etc.) on Saturday and the Velo City Tour, at Kissena Velodrome on Sunday.
Schedule of Events:
Friday March 7, 8PM
Goldsprints at Third Ward
195 Morgan Ave. Brooklyn
Saturday March 8, 1PM
Fixed Gear Comp and injured messenger fundraiser at Rocky’s
South 5th St. at Kent Ave. Brooklyn
Sunday March 9, 12PM
Velo City Track Competition at Kissena Velodrome
Booth Memorial Ave near Kissena Blvd. Queens
NYBMA Meetings to begin again
Tuesday, March 4th. 6:30pm. 470 Flushing, Top floor (5)
It’s been over a year, but the NYBMA is going to start having regular meetings again. The emphasis will be on community. There will be food and nametags. It’s going to take some time to get any change accomplished, but your participation is important in making that happen. Make your voice heard. If you’ve got any questions, contact Austin: osmerp [at] gmail.com
Help nybma.com
Are you a designer? Do you have this burning itch to run a website for & about bike messengers? Do you perhaps know CSS and PHP really well, too? Well then you can help the nybma.
This website will be getting revamped really soon, but it needs new people to run it. True, I’ve been talking about doing that for years…but it’s getting to that point where it really needs to happen. If you can help, please contact me, Ken: ken@studionumbernine.net
3rd annual memorial ride & walk for cyclists and pedestrians killed in 2007
Sunday, January 6th, 2008
This year’s annual memorial ride has three starting locations in the Bronx, Queens and Brooklyn. If you can’t make it to a starting location, please feel free to join at any stop along the route posted below. All rides will converge in Williamsburg and then meet with the Walk to Remember Pedestrians Killed in 2007 and we will all enter City Hall to participate in a rally and press conference. See www.ghostbikes.org for more details.
Cranksgiving 9 results
Dave August, Brantley, and Cooper the Boy Wonder took top places for the guys at the largest Cranksgiving ever. Out of the 85 total racers, Kym P., Alyssa Eberle, and Kierie Piccininni came in top 3 for the girls. Check out the rest of the results.
Where do you want a bike rack?
Take the survey at nycbikerackstudy.com from two Hunter grads,
and let them know where you need it most. They’re going to collect all that data and
suggest your locations to the New York City Department of City PlanningÕs Transportation Division as they prepare to install thousands of
new bike racks over the next few years.
Cranksgiving
The 9th annual Cranksgiving charity race takes place this Saturday, November 17th at 2pm. If one day of generosity
isn’t enough for you, and you’re in the mood for some hardcore, there’s a pre-cranksgiving show at the Last Resort Art Space:
8-63 Astoria Boulevard in Queens. Admission is one canned good or $100. Make the right choice.
Help us save the NYC Bike Polo court
A group of dog owners in the Lower East Side is proposing to turn the “pit” at Chrystie & Broome Streets into a dog run.
What they don’t know is that this unique multi-use space is utilized by a number of groups on a regular basis, has been featured
in major media as a multi-use space, and is often left cleaner than it was found by it’s users. If you’ve got the time, download
our petition and gather some signatures. Download petition here (PDF)
Make sure all forms are brought to trackstar by 5pm on Thursday, November 8th.
There is a community board meeting next Thursday, November 8th which we will attend to present our petition.
The dog runners (http://thedogrun.net) have over 500 signatures on their petition already! We need your help now!
Especially if you live in the CB3 area (map), please sign our petition and try to make it to the meeting next Thursday: University Settlement, Speyer Hall
184 Eldridge St (btwn Rivington & Delancey Sts)
Public session is 6:30pm-7:30pm
Hard copies of the petition are at Trackstar: 231 Eldridge St (
http://www.trackstarnyc.com) and you can come by
Chrystie & Broome on Sunday to watch us play and sign our petition. This space is very important to us, and we appreciate
your support.
What’s it like to mess in Alaska?
Find out from Anchorage’s one bike messenger: http://anchoragebikemessenger.blogspot.com
Deck of Cards
Squid is working with Chrome on this project that will benefit the NYBMF in NYC and also
BMA’s/nonprofits in three other cities! A deck of cards, featuring messengers from four cities.
Each city will take a suit. Thirteen from each city will make the cut.
No pay, just your mug in a deck of cards and that warm fuzzy feeling you get when you donate to nonprofits!
Open call photo shoot this coming Saturday, November 3rd
2pm - 4pm @ 1945 Pacific St. btw Ralph and Buffalo in Brooklyn. Nobody in NY is getting paid for this project, Amy Bolger is doing the shoot gratis.
If you really want to be a part of it but can’t make that day, contact Squid for the makeup shoot info.
Goldsprints! 5 Boro Generals!
If you want to know how you fared in the epic, 5-borough urban race series from Getsum this summer (and part of the fall),
Get yourself to East River Bar this Friday, October 26th at 11:30pm. OR, if you want to do Goldsprints instead, get yourself to East
River Bar this Friday, October 26th at 10pm. OR, if you want to do some flatland tricks & things that were cut out of the
Brooklyn race due to time, get yourself to East River Bar this Friday, October 26th at 9pm. East River Bar is located at South 6th St and Berry in Williamsburg. Brooklyn
Messenger Appreciation Day
Friday, 10-05-07 -All day!
Happy Messenger Appreciation Day!
We will be kicking off MAD by giving out free food and water to messengers
at a park. (Park location TBA) From 10am to 6pm.
Our party will kick off at 6:30 at 49 E. Houston St.
More free food, cheap booze, music and dancing!
We will also have a raffle with fabulous prizes and your once in a
lifetime opportunity to *win a date with the NYBMF*! All proceeds go to
your favorite non-profit foundation that grants money to injured
messengers and messenger programs…the New York Bicycle Messenger
Foundation!!!
Please help spread the word to other WORKING MESSENGERS!!! Thank you!
Barack Obama and Independent Contractors
This is not an endorsement of any sort, but we should be aware of this bill that’s been introduced by senators Barack Obama (D-IL),
Dick Durbin (D-IL), Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and Patty Murray (D-WA). There is a discussion forum available on
The IFBMA Forums (at the bottom, under ” U.S. Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act of 2007″),
but so far, not much has been said. Get this discussion started.
The Independent Contractor Proper Classification Act of 2007
“This legislation is designed to protect
workers and taxpayers alike from employers misclassifying their employees as independent contractors. This problem costs the
government billions of dollars and denies the misclassified employees such things as overtime pay and worker’s compensation.”
New law might fine your boss if you ride on the sidewalk
Frankly, delivery guys shouldn’t be riding on the sidewalk anyway. This is not necessarily another effort
by the city to put the pinch on “renegade” cyclists, punishing us for anything they want to, at their whim. This is
actually going after the owners of delivery businesses, putting the financial pressure on them to make sure their riders ride safer. Read more…
chron.com
press release
streetsblog.org
gothamist.com
Buy some sweet bikes. Support some good bike charities
Puma and the Bike Film Festival have teamed up with some slick magazines to produce some
really slick bikes. The ebay sales
of these bikes are all going to support nationwide bike charities, including
workingbikes.org, bicyclekitchen,
recycle-a-bicycle,
and the community cycling center.
This is being posted in the wee hours of September 27th and these auctions end at 5pm today!. So there’s barely a day left to bid on these bikes! So do it fast!
“Collisions happen when either motorists or cyclists are not paying attention”
Thus begins the $1million road safety campaign advocating the simple message: Look. Citywide cycling groups advised
the advertising agency - Publicis - on this campaign. The NYBMF’s Sarinya Srisakul was quoted a couple of times in these articles:
Am NY,
WNBC.com
LOOK Safety Campaign
The New York Bike Messenger Foundation will be tabling at Union Square South
this Tuesday, September 18 from Noon until 2pm.
We will be handing out NYBMF postcards and also Know Your Rights manuals.
Squid has been working with a lot of different people for two years on this
safety campaign for New York City.
The campaign, called LOOK, was developed to raise awareness among drivers
and bike riders about cyclists’ right to the road and everyone’s
responsibility to drive and ride safely and be aware in traffic. It will run
in English and Spanish on bus shelters, buses, taxi tops and phone kiosks
this fall, and there will be a website, posters, postcards, t-shirts and
other give-aways to promote cyclist safety.
The ads were produced by international ad firm Publicis in consultation with
the NYC Bike Coalition, the City Departments of \
Transportation &
Health, the
NYPD, the
NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission
and the Office of the Public
Advocate.
The DOT will be handing out free helmets and there will be other giveaways
as well!
Please stop by if you can and help us get the word out!
NYC wins Ottawa Bike Polo Tournament
New York City’s exploding Bike Polo scene took home a big win this weekend at Ottawa’s North Side Polo Invitational. The egotistically
ironically named team “Overrated” bested two brutal Ottawa teams during the city’s Capital Punishment weekend. One of the
three team captains, Doug Dalrymple, also came in 10th in the alleycat on his polo bike - geared to a very low ratio, and also
ALMOST won Goldsprints. Turns out a ringer mountainbiker who just moved to the city moments before the party came in & took all
the loot. Too bad, cuz a Doug D / Ken Stanek final would’ve really been something to watch. New New Yorker Corey the Courier also
took home a “thanks for inventing the ESPI” prize from the generous & hospitable Ottawa crew. In related news, the Ottawa newspaper ran an article on the tournament:
Whatever Turns Your Crank
Labor Day weekend!
Dollar Slices
Our wire services report:
“Lasso on kenmare and mott has buck slices during the day. brick oven, super-crispy - the real thing, not ray’s-famous stylee”
A short hiatus
Sorry for not updating the site in a while. I’ve been on vacation. Don’t worry about a thing. NYBMA.com is still there for you.
Ryan Boudreau, Chicago Messenger, Hit & Killed
Chicago messengers to coordinate fund for family
Another tragedy took a great messenger this month. On August 14th, 27 year old Ryan Boudreau was struck & killed by a truck in the mid
afternoon, according to theChicago Sun-Times.
Chicago messengers plan to coordinate a fund for Ryan’s family. NYBMA.com will keep you informed on where & how to donate.
The New York Bike Messenger Association
“The NYBMA is a worker’s alliance of the messenger, by the messenger, and for the messenger. Our mission is to unite, represent and advocate for the bike couriers of New York City.” We organize events, such as rides and parties, designed to be fun
as well as give otherwise lone wolf couriers a chance to be part of a larger pack.
Sometimes we even do some good with our events. Members of the NYBMA have organized various charity bike rides and fundraising parties, as well as volunteering our services after the World Trade Center attack of 9-11.
We want to change the negative perceptions of messengers as well as improve conditions for ourselves. We are not asking for a handout. We are obviously hard workers. We just want the respect we deserve.
The NYBMA has a limited number of its official T-Shirts to sell and we sometimes carry other related merchandise.
If you are a messenger living in New York City join us.
Our logo
The apple represents the “Big Apple”, as in New York City.
The gear represents our bikes, our jobs, and our lives… as messengers. When the two are united together, as in the NYBMA, “WE” take a bite out of the “Big Apple”, receiving our fare share…
in order to feed and sustain ourselves.
Upcoming Events
Recent Events:
Bike Shorts
January 13, 2008
Toys for Tots race
December 22
Cranksgiving
November 17
Halloween Race
October 27
Battle4Brooklyn
October 13
LOS MARCOS MAYHEM
October 21
Bike Shorts
September 30
Queens Riot
September 15
Alleycat
September 22
News Archive Back Home
Peter Bradshaw, VeloCity Winner, is now your world Champion
Kym P. takes 2nd (plus other prizes); Austin disqualified!
The americans took home their first World Championship at this year’s Cycle Messenger World Championships in Dublin, Ireland.
It was controversial though. The top three finishers were disqualified for various reasons. Had those DQ’s not happened, America STILL would’ve
taken home the championship, and it would’ve gone to New York’s Austin Horse. As it was, the rules were the rules, and Dublin’s organizers
stuck to their decision. It’s not NYBMA.com’s place to speculate, challenge, or editorialize. Our intrepid reporter didn’t even qualify for the
rain-soaked, off-road, finals, and spent the day in museums instead. All of the conversation around the results is second-hand hearsay,
and none of the sources have the same story anyway. The top prize couldn’t have gone to a better person, and he GOT there
by winning the New York leg of Squid’s VeloCity tour!
Speaking of VeloCity Tour winners winning big in Europe, Kym Perfetto also raked it in, pulling down 2nd overall in Dublin, winning the sprints,
and winning the skids & track events in London.
Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to the London & Dublin crews for putting on fantastic events.
Staten Islanders win Staten Island race
The hometown kids brought the home turf advantage to 3 of the top 10 in the Staten Island Invasion. Pete Long (1st place),
Dan Beyer (3rd place), and Kate Freitag (7th place), are all native Staten Islanders, and proved their command of the 5th borough.
In other news, it looks like Jersey Dan has pulled ahead of Austin Horse in the standings. Only two more races remain to decide who’s the
best overall.
More details on 5borogenerals.com.
Top 10:
1. Staten Island Pete Lang
2. Jersey Dan
2. Dan Beyer (S.I.N.Y. … SUUUUU represent!)
4. Crihs Shirc
5. Shisaku
6. Josh Wright (Boston)
7. Kate Freitag (S.I.N.Y.)
8. Niki Yoshi
9. Ari Kramer
10. Michael Shick
Caribbean Alleycat results
The times after the racer’s names are the time that they finished the race, not how long it took. We don’t have the starting time or the race,
so it’s hard to say howlong it took everybody. Photos here.
1. Cali 4:22
2. Fernando morales 4:23
3. Nick Berry 4:27
4. Rafael 4:30
5. Saldo Ballo
6. Nick Willaims 4:51
7. Gustavo 5:06
8. Paul McMc Alpine 5:08
9. Emily Zuckerman 5:12
10. Otto Lopez 5:13
11. Andy Fabian Card # 19 No Manifest
12. Graham Coreil-Allen #29 No Manifest
Global Gutz results
For two days notice, Global Gutz had a remarkable 20-person turnout. A few beers from Mike Dee & Chris Kim & Crumpler on the way
over the Williamsburg Bridge probably helped make a few last minute decisions, no doubt. Somewhat predictably, Austin blew away
the pack, but he wasn’t fast enough to be the fastest in the world. Pretty close though. He came in 16th out of nearly 200. Those other cities
though…they don’t have the traffic like New York. See the worldwide results on messmedia.
Extra props go to Frankie from Chile & Kai from Germany (still here from last weekend’s ECMC) who came in 3rd & 4th, a minute & a half behind Austin.
1. Austin: 36′25″
2. Raph: + 1′30″
3. Frankie (from Chile): + 1′32″
4. Kai (from Germany): + 1′32″
5. Justin: + 1′32″
6. Crihs: + 2′34″
7. Victor: + 3′17″
8. Pedric: + 3′17″
9. Fernando + 4′51″
10. Macca (Australia, drunk): + 6′09″
11. Rodrigo: + 6′09″
12. Annie (first & only girl!): + 7′35″
13. Corey the Courier: + 7′54″
14. Charles: + 11′03″
15. Brian: + 11′05″
16. Craig: + 11′51″
17. Steve: + 14′03″
18. Jack (started 5 minutes late): + 17′25″
19. Risi: +17′59″
20. Mel (DFL): + 20′30″
GLOBAL GUTZ!
Friday, July 13 - 10pm - Williamsburg Bridge - Brooklyn side
The world’s one & only worldwide, synchronized race returns to NYC after a two-year hiatus. Read the rules on
messmedia.org. New York starts at 10pm to sync up with the
West Coast, which starts at 7. Register at 9pm. (The race will begin at 10pm SHARP). $10 admission. The winner’s gonna take most of that cash back home. The worldwide fastest winner
will get tickets to CMWC in Dublin from August 3-8.
One Hundred Miles of Alleycat Racing
July 4th, 2007
Possibly more. Most likely more. Someone please strap on an odometer, do all the races this week, and see if we set some
kind of record. There seems to be a messenger race going on every day. Sometimes maybe two. First, there’s the ECMC.
It’s somewhere
between 2 and 6 days of mayhem, but let’s face it - it’s all going to blend into one and you’re not going to remember anything.
If that isn’t enough for you, hit up Broadway Bombing
on the 4th and the 7.7.7. race on the 7th (start location to come). If that isn’t enough to appease your fix, we
can’t help you.
When a death happens in our community, it is a tragedy that effects us all. There will be a memorial ride for him on Friday, November 19th - 6pm at 49th & 8th. Our deepest sympathies go out
to his family and friends. May he Rest In Peace. Ride Safe.
The following is our official statement:
“Today the New York bike messenger community mourns the loss of a fellow bike courier. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and friends. This tragic incident is a reminder of the dangerous conditions in which bike messengers work every day. We are gathered here now to recognize our fallen colleague and to pay our respects. We trust that his employer will extend the same respect to his family by providing the benefits due to his dependents.
We hope that this incident will highten public awareness of the dangers that all bike messengers face every day. Such an awareness would be a step toward improving our work conditions, enhancing the safety of all urban cyclists, and helping prevent tragic accidents like yesterday’s.”
Anti-Biking bill in City Council
The transalt people have brought this to our attention. Councilwoman Madeline Provenzano has sponsored a bill that would require all city bikers over 16 years old to
be licensed and could impose up to $300 worth of fines or 15 days of jail time. This ridiculous bill could have huge impacts on messenger work. Read it and do something about it. http://www.transalt.org/press/askta/041116bikebill.html
KRYPTONITE Lock Exchange
Kryptonite is offering an exchange on their faulty locks. Click Here for more details.
Halloween Top 10
130 racers! 10 years in Hell! Results & pictures. More Pictures from Diablo. Even More Pictures on brakesr4pussies.com.
Top 10 Men:
1. Todd
2. Macca
3. Zach
4. Speedy
5. Brean (as Mr. T)
6. Eddie
7. Aaron M. from Boston (First Out of Towner)
8. Felipe
9. Hugo
10. Brian P. (from DC)
Top 3 Girls:
1. Nicole from Boston
2. Charlotte
3. Lauren
Judge Rules in Favor of Critical Mass!
Some crazy stuff has happened in the past two days. Judge Pauley partially granted the preliminary injunction barring the NYPD
from seizing bikes at Critical Mass, and completely denied the city’s injunction to bar Critical Mass from happening without a permit.
Read the full decision here (PDF). What
the hell does this mean? It means they’re not gonna arrest you just for being there. And it also means they can’t just go ahead and
take your bike, if you lock it up when you see an army of cops heading your way, without actually charging you with something.
That would be a violation of due process. Which is part of the Fourth Amendment.
For an analysis of the ruling, visit skizzy.biz. Also, read a statement by Chris Carlsson, one of the guys who
originally founded Critical Mass in San Francisco in 1992.
In other related news, it turns out that the law about “riding two abreast” is completely bogus, as is the law about keeping to the sides of the streets or in the bike lanes!
Visit info.interactivist.net for some details on that one. Happy Halloween!
Critical Mass Under Fire from NYPD
Ever since August, the NYPD has been trying to choke the life out of Critical Mass. 262 people were arrested then, and in September, 9 people were arrested and 40
locked bikes were seized by the cops, who claimed the bikes were “abandoned”. Now, they’re trying to pass an injunction that will find any participants in contempt of Federal Court.
This crap’s gotta stop, but we don’t have much time. Wednesday, October 26th at 3pm is the date of the hearing on the injunction. Read the full text of the story
on interactivist.net. What can you do by tomorrow? Show up at the hearing! The address is below. If you can’t do that,
write a letter to the judge explaining who you are, what you do, and why you think Critical Mass is important. Address the letter to:
Honorable William H Pauley III
United States District Court
500 Pearl Street
New York, NY 10038
Bring the letter, by tomorrow morning, to the Times-Up space at 49E. Houston, or fax it to 212 674 6206 (no cover sheet needed).
HALLOWEEN ALLEYCAT
You know it’s the most killer race of the year. It’s happening Saturday, October 31st at St. John the Divine (111th & Amsterdam) at 3pm (2pm registration). If you don’t already have a
map of the course, look for someone at Critical Mass the day before, handing out fliers. The front of the flyer looks like this. The afterparty is at Rockstar Bar (Kent Ave. & S 5th in Williamsburg).
BLACKLABEL BIKE KILL
BLACKLABEL is also doing BIKE KILL the same day as the alleycat. They regret the overlap, but we’re all invited to their afterparty, at the Warehouse on Flushing Ave at Classon Ave (used to be called Happy Birthday
Hideout). It’s free for those who were in the Bike Kill and in the alleycat (show your spokecard to get in). Bike Kill goes from 2-9 at Sanford & Willoughby in Bed-Stuy, and the afterparty will start around 9pm. There are TWO fliers! Flyer One . Flyer Two .
Register for CMWC!
Registration for next July’s Cycle Messenger World Championships has opened, as of October 9th. Registration fee is $30 for now,
and will rise to $40 on January 1st, and $50 on May 1st. Another good reason to sign up now is to reserve your racer number!
Register now!
Messenger Appreciation Day
The first ever Messenger Appreciation Day in NYC was pretty freakin’ cool. The NYBMA gave out spiffy little lunch bags full of
bananas, bagels, candy bars, and propoganda during the day, and free food and cheap beer at the Frying Pan later that night. Hugo
again won the trackstands competition with style, doing backwards circles with one leg on the pedals after Charlotte, his last competitor,
dropped. Felipe beat out Road Rat & Todd at Foot-down, and a bunch of people got free stuff at the raffle. Click here for some pictures from the event, and full results.
Bike Messenger Appreciation Day
October 8/9
BMAD! Or, “be MAD” as we could call it if we wanted to. We don’t though, because we want to be happy. But we should be mad,
if we thought too long about the crap money we get paid and the conditions we have to work in, goddamnit. But, NO! Messenger Appreciation Day is all about
celebration! And recognition of our hard work. See, that’s how it all ties into the “We should be mad, but thanks for showing your appreciation” theme.
Since the 9th is a Saturday, we’ll be observing the international holiday on Friday, October 8th. There’s gonna be a party, some food, cheap drinks, and maybe a massage table or something. Keep posted for further details. If you’re not a messenger, consider giving a donation
to the Bike Messenger Emergency Fund. Click here for a flyer.
WARNING!!! KRYPTONITE LOCKS EASILY BROKEN!!!
You gotta check this out. The word has gotten out that you can bust into a kryptonite lock with a bic pen and NOTHING else. We don’t want
to knock Kryptonite’s product or anything - their chains are still the best - but if my bike can get swiped by a guy with a ballpoint pen, I might wanna think
twice about the kind of lock I’m using.
http://video.bikeproducts.net.
NACCC Montreal
Hugo! NYC MVP
Take a look at our fantastic pictures from Montreal!!! Hugo took New York’s biggest honors at the 2004 North Americans, winning the trackstand and freestyle competition. Alfred wasn’t too shabby himself, coming in 5th
in the alleycat. Here are some pictures.
Make sure to check out Portland next spring for NACCC 2005.
RNC - Huh? What the?
August 29 - September 2 Recap
So it came and it went, and it totally blew, but do we even really remember it happening at this point? If were lucky enough not to get netted up in
a random display of excessive authority, then your only inconvenience was probably having to avoid MSG on Monday. However, if you had the distinct displeasure
of spending the night in that rathole of a pier they “stored” the arrestees at, rest assured that there are people out there prepared to sue the pants off
the NYPD for that crap. Times-Up
MESSENGER APPRECIATION DAY:
October 8th: Noon - 10pm
Father Demo Square (6th Ave at Bleekery & Carmine) and The Frying Pan (pier 63 - 23rd St)
12-4pm: Father Demo Square: Free food, info, energy drinks, & energy bars. Stop by and refuel as you head uptown!
4-10pm: Frying Pan: FREE PARTY!!!!!
Free bike repair, free dinner food, cupcakes, free info, d.j.’s, dancing, giveaways, cheap booze, prizes and more!!!
6:30 Round one of the Messenger Challenge Game Show
7:00 Track Stands
7:30 Round two of the Messenger Challenge Game Show- FOOT DOWN!
Round three: Secret physical challenges
Round four: Final round face off
9:00 M.C. Battle Royale
Prizes for the track stands, game show and m.c. battle! ALL FREE! Tell everyone!
You must be 21+ to party at the Frying Pan.
THANK YOU NYC BIKE MESSENGERS!
AND Thanks to our sponsors:
City Bikes, Bike Works, Bicycle Station, Rockstar, Rheingold, Mama’s Food
Shop, Bailey Works, AFLAC, Adam White, Elan Nutrition, and Dixie Cups.
And super thanks to all our volunteers for donating your time and
services! Party Flyer
Republican National Convention
August 29 - September 2
Street closings, overwhelming security concerns, and an enormous backlash from
protesters will make next week’s RNC a bit frustrating for messengers. We’ve compiled
a list of official street
closings, but a further discussion on the effects of the RNC will take place at the
next BMA meeting - Thursday August 26 @ 7pm. 49 E.
Houston.
And if you’re interested in protesting, there’s a way that you, as a messenger, can help
out very specifically. Click here for the
information on that, or contact Ken. We’ll also talk about this
after the BMA meeting, and if you won’t be there, we will meet on the steps at the South end of Union Square
before Critical Mass on Friday.
Film Festival a HUGE Success
It was hot, it was a 5 story walkup, and the projector pooped out once or twice, but judging from the reactions
of all those who attended, the first ever Bike Messenger Film Festival was a huge success,. Many thanks to all of you guys, and mad props to the organizers
for pulling the whole thing together. We raised over $600 for the NYBMA!
NYBMA Schedule
Aug 6: Party at Dynamex - 26 W 39th, moving to 21st & 7th. Outreach.
Aug 12 Bridgeparty: Queensboro Bridge
Aug 19 Bridgeparty: Williamsburg Bridge
Aug 20: Film Festival
Contact Sarinya for more info.
Bike Repair Clinic
Thursday, August 26th 7:00pm - 49 E. Houston
Our next BMA meeting will focus on a bike repair clinic to teach you the basic skills to keep you making
that money no matter what happens. Come learn to fix your bike, pick up a copy of the Know Your Rights manual, and
debrief the day before the biggest Critical Mass you’ll ever ride. Check out the
flyer for our meeting.
Bike Messenger Film Festival
Friday, August 20th 7:30pm - 184 Kent Ave. #509; Brooklyn
There’s been an overwhelming demand for tickets to the first annual Bike Messenger Film
Festival, so get ‘em quick, if you can! Contact Sarinya for tickets: working messenger-$3, friend-$5, groupie-$7,
yuppie/philanthropist-$10 (if you are buying for your non-messenger friends, they have to pay the
friend rate). There’s also gonna be a race (with prizes!) from Tompkins Square Park over to the film fest.
You don’t need to race to see the films, but you do need a ticket to race. flyer.
PUMA: Unstoppable!
Team Puma took top honors at the BMC Messenger Challenge, again proving their dominance on the road.
Check our events page for full results and pictures.
| 1. | Team Puma |
| 2. | Trackstars |
| 3. | The Strangers |
| 4. | Philadelphia BMA |
Global Gutz Results
NYC’s Global Gutz representation had a pretty small turnout, but that’s what happens when you only have a week to plan a race. Here are the top three finishers. Check our events page for full results and pictures.
| 1. | Felipe | 37′:17″ |
| 2. | James Hines | 38′:02″ |
| 3. | Ken | 38′:03″ |
BMC Software Bike Messenger Race
Sunday, August 1, 2004. Sign in at 9:45 AM - Gouverneur Lane and Water St
$1000 in prizes! This is the pro event in Downtown Manhattan, and, like the last two years, it’s gonna feature a messenger relay race before the pro criterion. Right click here to download the fact sheet. (WordPerfect Document)
Official Site:procyclingtour.com
Next open BMA meeting
Thursday, July 29th 7:00pm - 49 E. Houston
Things are steamrolling towards a solid foundation for the Bike Messenger Association. At this meeting, we’ll be going over details
on all of our services as well as our strategies for direct actions, and what we’ve learned so far from the Taxi Workers and the Brennan Center. On top of that, you’ll be able to get a FREE copy of our new
“Know Your Rights” manual. This will be an invaluable asset to anyone in our profession, and you should definitely get your hands on one.
Bronx & Goldsprints results
Our webmaster had to go to Boston to be closer to Sam Adams this weekend, so we’re letting Carlos host the full results for the past weekends’ races. Thanks for being on the ball while I was on the bus, Diablo.
Rumble through the Bronx |
Goldsprints
Check out some pix
Kissena racing to continue on Fridays
As a result of not having a promoter, John Campo announced today that the
Sprint series being held on Friday nights at the Kissena Velodrome has
been cancelled. Instead, the messenger series, which has been the best attended and most
successful race series in many years will be moved to Friday nights.
Tuesdays are now availible for open training. Should a promoter step
forward and pay the permit and insurance fees, then racing may be held.
BRIDGE PAR-TAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday July 15 - Manhattan Bridge
5:30 pm until whenever. Since the North side bike path has re-opened, we’re not entirely sure where we’ll be. Check back soon for an update.
Skids & Sprints results
It came down to The King vs. Diablo at yesterday’s sprint competition at the Mermaid Parade. You could almost feel the tension in the air, and if you were standing on the sidelines of the not-so-well-paved course, you could certainly feel the spray of perspiration as the racers flew by. Click here for complete results.
BRIDGE PAR-TAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday July 8 - Williamsburg Bridge
5:30 pm until whenever. Meet in the middle of the bridge before you turn right onto the bike path.
Tonight at Kissena! The official TEAM PUMA announced!
June 22, 2204. The eight weeks are over and from the dozens of messengers who pushed themselves closer and closer to exhaustion and glory every week, eight elite members have been chosen for team PUMA. The top riders are… Alfred, Eddie, Felipe, Carlos, Hugh, Ugo, Todd, and Charlotte. Go to our Kissena page for detailed results.
But wait! Are the eight weeks really over? Stay tuned for more details.
NYC Messenger in feature film
As loathe as we are to promote anything coming out of Disney, this particular film happens to feature one of our own: Yac. Besides, it’s not like it’s a Disney Film…they just fronted the dough to get this documentary distributed. So it’s more like Fahrenheit 9/11 than the Lion King. Except with much more irony. We’ve got a promo still with a nice little message here.
NYC’s Team Puma Tears up the East Coast
Between Mayhem on Memorial Day weekend and the Wachovia Race in Philly the week later, our boys have been rakin’ in the glory all over the place. This bodes well for a clean sweep on the home turf next year for CMWCXIII. Take a look at some of Diablo’s pics from Mayhem here and from Philly here. For Quick reference, at the relay in Philly, Team Puma (Alfred, Felipe, Carlos, & Squid) came in #1, and Team NYBMA (Hugh, Todd, Charles, & Zach) came in #2.
BRIDGE PAR-TAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thursday June 17 - Manhattan Bridge
Thanks to eveybody who showed up at the Queensboro and at the Willy B. You guys
made it happen! It was a blast and we accomplished a lot - filled out
surveys, handed out flyers and most importantly, connected with other
messengers.
It was so good that we are going to have more parties! Come on out, help us hand out fliers, fill out surveys, and meet other messengers. We’ll be there from 5:00 to 7:30 or so.
JUNE 17 - Mahnattan Bridge - Meet on the Brooklyn side before you go down the stairs.
Next Meeting: Cabbie Collaboration
Thursday, June 24th 6:30pm - 49 E. Houston
Since it was such a success, we are going to have the NYTWA come to US
this time at 49 E. Houston St.
WE NEED LOTS OF PEOPLE TO COME TO THIS!
I promise you will think
differently about organizing when you listen to the organizer, Bhairavi,
speak. THEY DID IT- SO CAN WE! And yes, there will be press there so be
aware of that.
NYC Messenger on NPR
An NPR host caught up with Ken during the first bridge party under the Queensboro, and Ken hooked the public airwaves up with
a messenger’s insight on the state of the North American “Bird”. Listen to the broadcast here. Realplayer or Windows Media required. Funny stuff.
Legal Clinic
Thursday, May 27th 6:30pm - 49 E. Houston
Next Month’s NYBMA meeting is a legal clinic with Adam D. White, an attorney who will give a presentation on what to do in case you get into another accident. Trust us, he’s got some information you probably don’t know about, so come prepared with questions. He’ll also be offering a FREE consultation for those whose questions may be more pressing.
Meeting with the New York Taxi Alliance
A Messenger and Cabbie collaboration? Yeah, it’s like flies and spiders getting along. But last Wednesday, members of the NYBMA met with Bhairavi from the NYTWA for the first of (hopefully) many discussions on how to organize our dispersed and diverse workforce. Bhairavi formed what is now the largest Taxi workers group in New York City in 1998. That May, 95% of their workers went on strike to address a number of grievances. Bhairavi, frankly, rocks. We’re glad to have her on our side. She’s been invited to our June meeting. Be sure to attend to hear this inspirational woman speak.
Health Insurance
The NYBMA has met with representatives of AFLAC to arrange accident coverage for the messenger community. For as little as $6 a week,
you can get compensation in the unfortunate, but often likely case of a nasty accident. Get the word out about this great opportunity! Email Sarinya for more info.
Past event:
Crumpler Art Bag Auction
Sept. 22 - 24
New Jack City Alleycat
NACCC ‘06
Philadelphia
August 25
Velo City Tour
August 26-27
No Guts No Glory 2
August 12
Coney Island or Bust
August 5
Fourth Of July Weekend EXTRAVAGANZA!
July 1-2
Rumble Thru The Bronx 3
June 17
Superheroes Alleycat
May 20
Bicycle Film Festival
May 10-14
Bridge Battle 2
May 13
The Godfather Race
April 22
The DUMBO Scramble
April 15
April Fools’ Race
April 1
Smells Like Jersey
April 8 - New Brunswick, NJ
Monster Track VII
March 4, 2006
Hot Pursuit
February 14th
Bike Works & Kissena Roller Racing
Jan 17 - Brooklyn Brewery
Ken’s Birthday Party
Friday, Jan 13 - Capone’s
Late Night Frostbite
Jan 14-15 - Wash. DC
Alley…Kitten?
New Years Eve - Noon
Kinda Special Olympics
New Year’s Day 2pm
King Kog
Dec 10 - Empire St. Bldg
Rico Suave Race
Dec 3 - Wash. D.C., 3pm
Cranksgiving
November 19th, 2pm
Thanksgiving Potluck Dinner
Friday, Nov 18
Halloweekend - Oct 28-30
All about the Benjamins
Friday, Oct 28
La Calavera
Saturday, Oct 29th
Death Race 2005
Saturday, September 10
NYBMA party
Friday, September 16
Race To The Border
Saturday, August 27
Cycle Messenger World Championships 2005
Lightwheels
June 24 - July 4
Triple Threat/TEAM Assault/King of the Fuckin Streets
Sunday, July 3
R1 Stage Race
June 24 - 29
Courier Gang Bang
July 9th - Baltimore
Skids & Sprints
June 25
A Hundred Wheels of Death
June 25th 12-8 p.m.
Rumble Thru The Bronx II
June 11
Lady Libertine Race
June 4
Team Alleycat
May 21 - 1:30pm - $10
Bicycle Film Festival
NYC Bridge Battle
May 14 - 12pm Noon registration
Art Auction
Fri, May 6. 7-11pm
April Fools Alleycat
Friday, April 1
Zero Gravity Gala
Feb 12 2005 8pm
Monster Track 6
Feb 19 2005 3pm
Bike Swap Meet
Feb 19 2005 10am-2pm
Kinda Special Olympics
No Guts, No Glory!
Bike Messenger Life: Book Signing
Cranksgiving
November 20 - 2pm. 11th Ave & 36th St. - Across from the Javits Center
It’s the 6th Annual Cranksgiving! No fee, but you’ll need money to buy food at checkpoints. All food gets donated to a homeless shelter at the end of the race. Best reason to race, ever!
results
Halloween X - October 30
From St. John’s The Divine on 111th St. to Rockstar Bar in Williamsburg, blood was spilt on the streets for Halloween’s 10th Anniversary. Click here for results.
The Tour De Bronx
October 24
Bike Messenger Appreciation Day
October 8/9
Bike Messenger Film Festival
Bike National Convention
NYC Century Bike Tour
CAN’T KNOCK THE HU$TLE!
Sat. Aug 21 - 2pm - Tompkins Sq.
September 3-5; Montreal
BMC Software Bike Messenger Race
Global Gutz 2004
