In a world of autonomous food delivery robots and Amazon Prime, Philadelphians might be surprised to find bike messengers zooming across Center City streets, if they even know what one is. But what distinguishes the messengers from other cyclists and delivery drivers is not just the comically large bags they carry and the decked-out single-speed bikes they ride, but their ability to strategically and efficiently navigate the city. While most people rely on Google Maps, full-time bike messengers Brian Campbell, 31, and Orchid Newberger, 29, spend all day hustling through busy streets and traffic-filled intersections with addresses in hand and routes in mind. While Campbell starts his mornings in Old City delivering paystubs, Newberger finds herself riding between South Street and Spring Garden; they end up meeting at the 1700 Market plaza to catch up, smoke cigarettes, and play scratch-off tickets. They are expected to deliver legal documents for lawyers, safely transport medical samples for hospitals, and even serve people subpoenas, all while dodging motor vehicles and e-bikes. Although each dispatch could lead to a potential injury, what makes the job worth it is the freedom that the ride brings. “I’m as free as the breeze and I ride where I please,” Campbell said.
Orchid Newberger, 29, of Fishtown, walks up the entrance stairs of the William and Lois Kelley Research Building on the University of Pennsylvania campus to pick up medical samples on July 30. Newberger graduated from Penn with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in material science engineering but found it hard to both land a job within that field and enjoy it. Newberger picked up bike courier work shortly afterward. “I spent a lot of time in school figuring out that that’s not what I wanted to do with my life.”Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerNewberger inside an elevator at the Cira Centre building for a pickup. “This isn’t a ‘forever job,’ obviously,” Newberger said.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerBike courier Brian Campbell, 31, knocks on a door at the Broad Street Love social services building to deliver payroll stubs on July 22.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerCampbell helps Newberger adjust her bike’s front wheel at Rittenhouse Square on July 14.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerCampbell wears a Philadelphia Bicycle Messenger Association (PBMA) cap on July 15. As many couriers ride without health insurance, PBMA provides donations to injured couriers for medical expenses. “It’d be really nice to have health insurance at a job like this, like, if I’m sick or hurt I just lose money, and that’s where PBMA comes in because we have to look out for ourselves on that front,” Campbell said.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerCampbell and Newberger at Rittenhouse Square after finishing their shifts July 30. They are among many bike couriers who hang out at the park before and after work.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerCampbell sorts through his messenger bag to deliver payroll stubs outside the Museum of the American Revolution on July 22.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerCampbell adjusts his messenger bag alongside Artemis Darrow (left), 24, and Newberger before participating in the Critical Mass Philly event at City Hall on July 31. The evening event was held to reclaim public streets, promote cyclist safety, and advocate for better bike infrastructure.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerNewberger rides past a bus stop on July 30.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerCampbell drinks from his water bottle outside the Liberty Place shopping center before heading out for more deliveries.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerNewberger drinks from her water bottle while Campbell (right) listens for a dispatch from his walkie talkie at the 1700 Market Plaza on July 30. Aidan T. Gallo / Staff PhotographerNewberger at 16th and Market Streets during her evening shift on Aug. 4.Aidan T. Gallo / Staff Photographer
