by Joe Ferson

Boston Globe, January 20, 1989

A hearing on proposed ordinances that would license bicycle couriers in Boston and ban skateboards in Downtown Crossing drew about 50 residents yesterday to make their positions known to the City Council's special committee on the elderly.

"I should be able to walk the streets without fear of being hurt," said Kevin Kelley, 53, who identified himself as a lifelong resident of Charlestown. Kelley argued that couriers tend to ride bikes that are quiet, slender and difficult to avoid. [they should be forced to drive big, loud, smelly, 2-ton cars?-M]

Ronald X. Conway, the deputy police superintendent of Area A, argued in favor of the ordinances and said officers have received numerous complaints on both subjects, predominantly from the elderly.

Neal Stone, the vice president of Bicycle Couriers Inc., argued that, though the industry may need some regulation, the ordinance before the council was vaguely worded. "We don't want renegade couriers, or messengers to work outside the system -- in short, to make a bad system even worse."

Stone said the council should wait for an alternative plan being discussed by city Transportation Commissioner Richard Dimino with representatives from the Greater Boston courier companies.

Andrew Brady, 24, of Mission Hill, who attended the meeting with his 4-foot skateboard, said, "I've been hit with umbrellas, but I've never hit anyone."