by Joe Ferson

Boston Globe, January 20, 1989

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

"I should be able to walk the streets without fear of being hurt," saidKevin Kelley, 53, who identified himself as a lifelong resident of Charlestown.Kelley argued that couriers tend to ride bikes that are quiet, slenderand 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, arguedin favor of the ordinances and said officers have received numerous complaintson 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 thecouncil was vaguely worded. "We don't want renegade couriers, or messengersto work outside the system -- in short, to make a bad system even worse."

Stone said the council should wait for an alternative plan being discussedby city Transportation Commissioner Richard Dimino with representativesfrom the Greater Boston courier companies.

Andrew Brady, 24, of Mission Hill, who attended the meeting with his4-foot skateboard, said, "I've been hit with umbrellas, but I've neverhit anyone."