Broadcast history

BBC Radio 4

City Messengers

Monday 18th August 2008
Produced by Katie Burningham

Katie Burningham Everyday, more than 400 cycle couriers race across London delivering packages and jumping red lights. In some ways, they lead a carefree life - cruising outside all day on bikes, often without brakes. But they're also embroiled in city life and the pressures that go with it: if a package isn't delivered, they don't get paid. It's a strange situation to be in, and through their eyes we get a unique perspective of urban life.

In this half our programme couriers Nhatt Attack and Will Melling and former courier Buffalo Bill reveal the alternative and somewhat precarious lifestyle of a city cyle courier.

"...a beautifully produced documentary..the toughness of the job was made clear but the portrayal - a rich soundscape of music and traffic noise, plus intriguing slivers of interview - left you associating it with wanderlust and non-conformity."
Elisabeth Mahoney, The Guardian, 19.08.08

  • Photo by Hannah Lyne