Okay, so you want something different. You want something hardcore. I have just the thing for you, Pedal.

Pedal is a book of photographs (see my review of the book: here) and DVD documentary. The documentary film by Peter Sutherland is an eye popping looking into the hard and adventurous life of the bike messenger.

The documentary follows several through the streets of New York as they try to make a living and survive. It gives the viewer a close look into the soul of these urban street warriors. At times I was angry at them for they the own the street and disrupt both traffic and harass pedestrians, but most of the time I was in awe.

I have always admired the bike messenger. It is one subculture that I would like to have taken part. However, I am not tough enough to survive the winters, frostbite, and the wages that don’t pay the bills.

The film ends with the 2005 Cycle Messenger World Championships, a bike race around the streets of New York with stops, just as if it were another day at work. It is a bitter race through traffic. There are a number of accidents and collisions with cars. Thankfully no one gets more than bruised.     

The actual filming of the messengering was done from a bike. I’m not sure how they did it. The effect is that of being a messenger zipping in and out of traffic. I think that you will love this film.

Find it, watch it!

Pedal. New York: powerHouse Books, 2004 

Photographs and a documentary film by Peter Sutherland

Film produced by Ana Lombard

Texts by Zepher, Ken Miller & Swoon 

The Soulless Machine