Not much else was moving in Montreal, but the courierswere
by Paul Delean
Montreal Gazette, January 12, 1998
Pascal Vachon was wet, weary and cold. He also was about $80 richer,which to him made nine hours of cycling through slush, sleet and snow worthwhile.
If there was any doubt bicycle couriers are a hardy (some would sayfoolhardy) breed, last week's storm dispelled it.
Not much else was moving in Montreal, but the couriers were, deliveringenvelopes in climactic conditions one dispatcher called the worst in 15years, during what traditionally is one of the slowest and therefore least-rewardingweeks of the year.
Michel Rondeau, general-manager of Courrier Plus, said that while severalof his car messengers had to cancel last week for various reasons, hisdozen downtown cyclists were out in force.
Business was down 15 to 25 per cent, however, because of the rippleeffect of employee absenteeism and company closures related to the weather.
"It's a rough life out there," said Paul Etheridge, managerof Quick Messenger. "But if you were going to pick a week to haveconditions like these, this is the one you'd choose in our business.
"A lot of law firms, for instance, take that week off. For us,it's the quietest week."
Some courier companies were offering their pedalers "bad-weather"incentives of up to $20 a day, but for many of the cyclists, showing upwas a question of honour more than money.
Vachon, who works for Sylco Express, said a true courier won't beg offbecause of a storm.
"If you don't come in on the bad days, you make others carry theload. You let down your friends. If you're sick, OK - but over-all, couriersare a pretty healthy bunch, accustomed to the open air."
Former window washer Floyd Cheng, 23, of the QA courier company, saidavoiding adverse conditions does not endear you to a dispatcher.
"If you're there on the bad days, he knows he can count on you.It's your reputation. It's an ego thing, too. You don't want to wimp out."
Patrick Champagne, 18, of Courrier Plus, said he was only grounded oneday last winter - and on that snowy day, he delivered his packages on foot.
"It's our job. We need to make money," he said.
In what was a trying week for all bicycle couriers, few had it worsethan Peter Krantz. Late Tuesday afternoon, the 37-year-old was draggedfrom his bike and punched in the face by the driver of a pickup truck whothen threw the bike "like a shot put" into the middle of ReneLevesque Blvd.
Krantz said he'd rapped the truck on the fender after being struck onthe elbow by a mirror.
"He was yelling, screaming that his vehicle was damaged. I hitit with my arm. I'm really going to damage his ice-encrusted truck withmy arm.
"Most of the time I get away from these jerks. What it boils downto is road rage.
"Some people believe we shouldn't even be on the road. The mediahave given us such a bad reputation. But when you consider the number ofkilometres traveled, couriers have a lot fewer accidents than everydaycyclists. They're like ski racers; they know how to go fast and they knowhow to avoid accidents. It's like skiing, basically, except with live slalompoles."
Impatient, inconsiderate and downright dangerous drivers are among thehazards facing couriers. Another is buildup of snow on the roads and shoulders.It means they're forced further into the traffic than usual. And the icystreets and sidewalks make the going tough.
Several couriers complained of "lackadaisical" snow-clearingand removal by city crews last week. Besides slowing them down (and consequentlycosting them money), the difficult road conditions take a toll on the riders'bikes, which normally cost in the $800-$1,000 range. They're heavier toride because of the ice, and have to be washed, oiled and adjusted daily.
"You're also spending a lot of energy to stay warm," Chengnoted. "I could spend $10 a day on food, easily."
There's nothing like a draining, uphill trek to the Montreal GeneralHospital on greasy streets to test the thighs.
"By the end of the day, the guys are really dragging," notedLorraine Vincent, manager of Imperial Courier.
It's not an easy way to make a buck, but it is a relatively reliableone, particularly at this time of year. Demand for bicycle couriers isnormally high in winter, when the students and fair-weather mountain-bikershave left the ranks. Couriers are freelancers, small businessmen paid bythe trip, so they're motivated to work long, fast and steadily. And sincenot showing up means not getting paid, they don't make a habit of stayinghome.
Vachon, who works for Sylco Express, said he earns $80 on "a goodday." The 23-year-old, who worked previously as a tree planter, hasbeen a courier six months.
"I find it fun. There's action. It's less boring than working atMcDonald's or in some other restaurant."
The cyclist normally gets 45 to 60 per cent of the delivery fee as commission.It can range from $1 to $12, depending on the length and urgency of thetrip. He gets most of his assignments by radio. Vachon said he'd normallymake about 40 trips a day in the area bounded by Atwater Ave., PapineauBlvd., Old Montreal and Mount Royal.
During a frenzied period like the recent postal strike, the number wouldbe higher. "I made an extra $150 a week during the postal strike,"he noted. Vachon said that, over-all, the weather hasn't been that badthis winter.
"We've been lucky. There hasn't been an extended period of intensecold.
"You've still got to dress right - as if you were cross-countryskiing. And by 4 o'clock, when the sun starts to go down and you're tired,you do feel the cold." Cars are also an occupational hazard.
Patrick Champagne got hit by a taxi at Beaver Hall Hill last year. Hesuffered a broken toe and was off three weeks. His bike was also irreparablysmashed.
"That was the hardest thing, having to buy a new one."
Like most couriers, who average less than two years on the job, Champagneisn't in it for the long run. He's applied to be in the armed forces, andthe minute he gets the call, he's gone.
"It's great training for the army," he said.
"I'll certainly be in shape."
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