When I first heard that Mike Rizzo (Zippy Delivery), Buffalo’s infamous bike messenger, was retiring, I was saddened that the city would be losing an invaluable service. Thankfully, bike messengers will still be around after Mike retires. After seven years, the ever-present two-wheel delivery rider has decided to pass on the torch to three part-time messengers who will continue to make sure that the delivery routes are maintained. Over the last three years I have taken photos of Mike riding in all sorts of weather conditions. There were some days when I envied him for his job, and others when I thought he was crazy. All in all, Mike was an inspirational person for a lot of people. He invented his own job… and stuck to it when I don’t think many others would have. He found a niche in which law firms (among others) would rely on him to transport timely documents efficiently.
In a recent press release Mike talks of the days when Buffalo had a number of bike messengers… the days of the Western Union. I can only imagine what an experience a full-time job like this must be like. Mike is quoted as saying, “Everyone wants to be a bike messenger. I’m not sure if it’s the recent gas prices, the freedom, the ability to be in the sun all summer, or what it is. Every time I would advertise for messengers I would get anywhere from 10-30 calls. Some of them found out it’s not all glamorous though. Especially the wind and rain. A few worked only a day or two before quitting.” That alone is a testament to a seven-year fulltime career. In the future, Mike’s customers will be able to count on the services of Office Express Couriers. It’s going to be business-as-usual… though Zippy Delivery will be no more.
Thanks for getting the business off the ground Mike. Hopefully we’ll see the business of bike messengers continue to grow. Please consider utilizing their services. For more information, click here.
