by Joe Hendry
from "Canada - Bicycles in a big land"

Bike Culture Quarterly #18, Summer 1999
 

The Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier Coalition is one of many new bikemessenger associations that have exploded  in number throughout majorcities in Canada and the rest of the world. It exists to give Toronto messengersa voice in political, labour and legal issues which affect them and thecities they serve. As professional working cyclists we work to bring balanceto stereotypical images of messengers. [ and foster productive relationshipswith other messenger associations and like-minded groups.]

Historically bike couriers in Canada have been apathetic to many ofthese issues but as the worldwide messenger community shares more informationit empowers couriers to take a greater role in their industry and the environmentsurrounding it.

Like the bike couriers it represents the THCCC has delivered resultswith great speed. Founding member Wayne Scott recently succeeded in his15 year battle with Revenue Canada to have the extra food that couriersrequire for fuel be recognized as a tax deductible. We persuaded the ConsumerResponse Council to make General Motors pull a ad which portrayed couriersas irresponsible, and along with courier associations in Calgary, Vancouverand Montreal, we are lobbying Canada Post and the federal government toenforce the legal minimum payments to couriers. [actually before editing it referred to "minimum courier charges prescribed by the Canada Post Act"]

[also edited out: "We joined with the IFBMA and other associations inpresenting the city of Boston with the first ever Hall of Shame Award asthe worst city in which to work as a bike messenger."]

["For its service and commitment to improving the local environment"]The City of Toronto now recognizes the contributions made by couriers tourban life every on October 9 with a Messenger Appreciation Day (10-9 Day.)

Toronto’s bike couriers are famous for their late night underground"alley-cat" races through the city streets. Toronto also  hosts legalwell-organized races and festivals such as the Human Powered Roller Coaster(a figure 8 velodrome), the Cycle Messenger World Championships (Torontohosted the third one in 1995). We are now busy organizing the 1999 NorthAmerican Cycle Messenger Championships in Toronto on June 5-6.