ANIMAL » BIKE MESSENGERS

‘Triple Rush’ Canceled

Bucky Turco — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 21:03:19 +0000

After just two episodes, the Travel Channel has confirmed that bike messenger reality show Triple Rush is “temporarily not on air,” which sounds a lot like a euphemism for it was canceled. We contacted them and are awaiting an official statement, but for now feel free to speculate wildly on Twitter where the backlash and outpouring of support has already begun. Or you can write them here.

Technology Will Not Kill the Bike Messenger

Bucky Turco — Mon, 25 Apr 2011 16:31:20 +0000

Since the advent of the fax machine, every few years, someone postulates about the kind of technology that will render bike messengers obsolete… to no avail. Like an endangered species that refuses to die, nothing can really kill them off and ironically, certain human advancements are ensuring their survival. Take video data for example. It’s still a lot easier to have terabytes sent over via bike than the internet.

According to Wired, there’s one only invention that can threaten the courier’s existence and it only exists in the genre of sci-fi: “Until someone concocts an effective form of particle teleportation, these things will keep at least some of the messenger industry on the street.”

More ‘Triple Rush’ to Piss People Off

Bucky Turco — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 18:30:45 +0000

Last week, we took a look at the trailer for Triple Rush, a reality show of sorts about NYC bike messengers and now here’s actual footage from the series that’s set to debut on the Travel Channel tomorrow night. Watch Quik Trak courier Nick pander to the camera and take an awfully long time to complete what is a relatively short run.

‘Triple Rush’ Trailer

Bucky Turco — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 16:01:25 +0000

Late last year, ANIMAL exclusively reported on the Travel Channel filming a bike messenger TV series and we can now give you a first look at Triple Rush, which premiers April 14th at 10PM.

As expected, it has some of the familiar trappings of a reality show, but unlike others in the genre, doesn’t need as much manufactured drama, there’s enough of that on the streets, giving it an air of authenticity.

It’s also likely to set back any progress Transportation Alternatives has made by at least five years and give the anti-bike crowd even more fuel for the fire, but at least it’s entertaining. For those of you who are interested, check out their Facebook page for all the latest updates, pictures, etc…

The Reality Show You’ve All Been Waiting For

Bucky Turco — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 17:26:22 +0000

Today we learned that New York City’s fast paced, traffic weaving bike messengers will be the subject of a new “docu-reality” on the Travel Channel. Premium Rush stunt double and bike messenger Austin Horse tells us he is consulting for the show which took a very “egalitarian” approach to choosing couriers, so don’t expect to see the usual suspects or any dumb White Rapper-style competitions. It’s set to premiere sometime in March 2011. (Photo: braesikalla)

Typical-Looking Bike Messengers Battle On Judge Judy

Bucky Turco — Wed, 26 May 2010 21:37:07 +0000

I’m not not sure why the New York Times or Gothamist calls these NYC couriers who appeared on Judge Judy as “hipster bike messengers,” but since they’re relatively young, have tattoos, and a fixed gear bike is involved, it must have been too hard to resist.

To me, they look like anyone who has ever worked for Trackstar. Anyway, poor Judge Judy. She is pretty ignorant about the high costs of bikes, although I’m still trying to figure out how this De Bernardi is considered custom or worth $3500.

Messengers Deliver ‘Street Justice’ to Bike Thief

Will Sherman — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 19:51:56 +0000

While out brunching in the East Village, a few bike messengers caught a thief trying to steal one of their rides. After batting him around a bit, one of the messengers began videotaping as they beat him over and over with the message, “Don’t steal bikes, bro!” The camera man’s footage and firsthand account of the bike thief beatdown is below.

Here’s the story. I was having brunch on first ave and first street with a a couple of friends including Alfred .It was a pretty sunny day and a good there was a good amount of pedestrian traffic .Nothing unusual. Alfred went out to make a call and spotted someone looking over his bike. Nothing unusual ,he got a hot ass cannondale with hot ass wheels.the guy was average looking,had a helmet and a bag.looked like your average joe casual biker.Suddenly this dude gets on his knees and pulls out a drill.At first Alfred thought he wanted to steal his wheels,until he saw the drill.Is this what it has come out to?!people stealing bike with drills?Anyways as he was getting ready to drill the ulock,Alfred comes in the restaurant and yells,!yooooo someones trying to steal my bike,lets go get him.and let me tell you this ass hole tried stealing the wrong bike.first it was a bike messengers bike and second it was Alfred’s bike and the motherFkr got a temper sometimes.so we roll out to this dude and start pounding him.my first instinct was to get my U lock and bang on him,but my bike was already locked up so , we bumbrushed this dude and started pounding him.Everybody is watching and wondering why this dude is being plumeted ,but at that point we don’t give a fuck.we had to make sure this asshole dosen’t do it again.me personal i have had 2 bikes stolen,in like a month apart.fuck that shit.he did’t even look like a bike thief!so while pounding him i reach out to put my phone in my pocket and realized i had a camera on my wait.i pulled it out and captured the second half of the beating!

|NYC Massive|

Bike Messengers Convince Brand They’re Still Relevant

Bucky Turco — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 21:17:39 +0000

When all is said and done, there’s really nothing that cool about being a bike messenger anymore, but today’s marketing savvy package jockey’s have done a great job perpetuating the myth. They’ve even convinced 42 Below vodka, a natural fit for cycling, to support their fiercely independent, anti-corporate Gold Sprints event. Watch their video! |YouTube|

The Inglorious Life of A Cargo Bike Riding Messenger

ANIMAL — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:10:15 +0000

Although he can haul 200 pounds of crap on his specially equipped cargo bike and business might be up 20%, chances are Hoardi Depalm, owner of Checkered Courier, is still as miserable as ever. If Mike Dee is the world’s angriest messenger, Hoadari isn’t far behind. You almost can’t blame him either. Riding around all day on a big ol’ goofy bike through grueling traffic on someone else’s time schedule like a package jockey can be daunting for anyone. And it’s also probably the #1 reason why a scowl is permanently etched onto his face. |NYT|
Photo: John Marshall Mantel for The New York Times

ANIMAL bytes: Messengers Are Really Just Geeks On Bikes

ANIMAL — Tue, 29 Aug 2006 04:19:54 +0000

While some cyclists played cat and mouse with cops at last Friday’s Critical Mass, others played cops and robbers with fake crack in Brooklyn.
Kate Moss appears in 7 ad campaigns in this Fall’s new NYT T style mag alone, someone’s gotta pay for that habit.
Wired to hold Nerd-fest in NYC.
Video of Stephen Colbert attacking the modern day Babylonians aka Hollywood.