BBC Radio 4
City Messengers
Monday 18th August 2008
Produced by 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
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