Column: CLOSE TO HOME
Washington Post, May 17, 1987
I see no reason to regulate bicycle couriers, because all of our clients are private. It's not like taxis. With the hack commission, you're dealing with the public. Couriers don't really have anything to do with the city government.
Basically, the bicycle advisory board is trying to make money. I don't think a bicycle safety class would serve any purpose. I don't see what the curriculum would be. There ought to be more law enforcement, and the police should ticket more jaywalkers.
Red lights are just data systems. Lights don't hit you, cars do. -- Doug Dash Regulation will slow couriers down. If it slows us down, we'll make less money. Time is money in our line of work.
I haven't hit anyone yet. A class would be a waste of time. What about the couriers' safety? What about the people who sling their car doors open? It's dangerous, but that's the risk of the game. . . . -- Kevin Price I agree that couriers (myself included) ride dangerously at times. However, bicycle couriers are forced to ride on the sidewalks by the terrorists on four wheels. If a cyclist attempts to ride in a law-abiding way in the streets, he or she is often cut off, yelled at to get off the street or harassed by impatient drivers -- the worst offenders being cabdrivers. As a result, the bicycle courier must choose a safer route: the sidewalk.
Couriers aren't trying to terrorize the city, kill babies or injure senior citizens. They are oppressed human beings who are trying to stay alive. . . .
If the D.C. Council plans to regulate bicycle activities, maybe it should also consider regulating pedestrian traffic so that the next time a pedestrian endangers my life by crossing illegally, I'll be able to get his tag number. -- Charles Neuman
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