By Bob Levey
Washington Post, February 17, 1989
Ladies and gentlemen, it's my pleasure to introduce WMCA. No, that's not a radio station. However, it is a beacon. A beacon of hope.
WMCA stands for Washington Metropolitan Courier Association. It's the professional association representing bicycle messenger companies in the Washington area.
I've written long (and less than lovingly) about the people who work for these companies. In my gentler moments, I've called them law-flouting, obscenity-spewing, bath-needing, wild-riding, pedestrian-smashing madmen.
I've described how they run down defenseless old ladies in intersections. I've recounted how they bash in the windows of motorists who point out that the messenger has just run a red light. And I've wondered whether a pedestrian has to die before the cops take the messenger problem seriously.
Happily, WMCA has decided to take the problem seriously -- before someone dies.
WMCA is not a new organization. It has existed for about seven years -- approximately the period during which the D.C. messenger business has flourished. However, WMCA hasn't done much to promote safety in the industry, or much to take a good look in the mirror.
That changed as of a couple of months ago, when Vassil Yanco became WMCA's new president.
His first call after taking office was to me, to ask if he could come see me.
That was a little like Jonah calling Whales Unlimited and saying, "Hi, can I pop over for a visit?"
I am not as big as a whale -- yet. But I am not above recognizing a sincere peace offering, either.
I met with Vassil Yanco in my office and talked out the whole subject of messengers for more than an hour. I am delighted to report that Vassil was neither defensive nor offensive. He knows there's a problem. A big problem. And so do the other owners who belong to WMCA.
The best news of all is that Vassil accepted a suggestion from me.
No, I didn't propose open-heart surgery with a rusty rake.
I proposed that WMCA member-owners require their messengers to mount a bumper sticker on their bikes. The sticker would show the name and phone number of that messenger's boss, in much the same way that bumper stickers on trucks invite motorists to report unsafe driving to a central switchboard. The bike messenger bumper sticker would give innocent pedestrians the one important recourse they now don't have: a chance to get justice.
With no arm twisting, Vassil said WMCA "will be glad to consider the idea." He said he expected no resistance from WMCA members -- and not much resistance from messengers themselves.
How do you feel about bumper stickers for bike messengers? Do you agree with me that a way to report bike messenger atrocities would be a giant step toward reducing those atrocities? Drop me a line in care of The Washington Post, Washington, D.C., 20071, and let me know what you think. Or if you'd rather write directly to Vassil Yanco, he's at P.O. Box 2058, Reston, Va., 22090.
| main | articles | laws | zines | report | 10-9 day |
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at messvilleto@yahoo.com