MIKE
ENG:
Philadelphia
Bike Courier
People of the Street MIKE “GREEK” ENG By Emily Ganser “I never feel like Im working. Ever”says Mike Eng, who spends most of his time as a bike messenger in Philadelphia. Some people spend their entire lives searching for a job that they love enough it eventually doesnt feel like work anymore, but unfortunately bike messenger jobs are diminishing with advancements in technology. Eng works for a dispatcher called Its DONE! Courier, located on South and 4th street. He delivers anything from court filings to inter office mail, process servicing or subpoenas. These courier companies not only work with courts and lawyers, but hospitals, print shops, banks, food stores, and TV and Radio Stations. Customers usually prefer bike messengers to those driving cars since bikes can avoid traffic and avoid stopping in general.
“I was sitting in Rittenhouse four years ago” Eng explains, “and some guy came up to me. He had a cast on his arm and he said ‘hey man do you need a job?’ I said ‘yeah, of course I need a job.’ and he gave me an address and a radio.” You can usually find Eng along with other messengers gathered around Rittenhouse Square, in between runs, waiting for a dispatcher to give them an address to pick up and deliver to within a certain time. “There was close to 300 bike messengers in the city in the 90s and now there’s only about 30 of us” says Eng. Walking and driving in the city can be a stressful task; now imagine being on a metal frame carrying important documents and packages, taking the fastest route, and trying to stay out of everyone’s way. Eng couldn’t pick the most frustrating aspect of biking in the city; “The worst people are the ones just not paying attention at all.” Even though technological advancements provide efficient deliveries, most companies now use e-filing, which eliminates the need for a messenger. IPhones are used instead of radios and GPS is used to track deliveries and pick-ups immediately. Although this helps businesses gain validity, the business as a whole is becoming obsolete. “There’s something about being outside all day everyday. Its cool at first but I think I’m ready to move my vocation inside.” Being in a few accidents and through multiple surgeries takes its toll on someone whose occupation requires you to be constantly on the move in any weather condition. “You can’t ride a bike forever” says Eng.