Motorcycle Couriers

People ride motorcycles for many reasons. A lot of bikers ride for recreation. Taking a drive on a motorcycle can be way more fun than riding around inside a car. Many people use their motorcycles for commuting to and from work and to run errands. Commuters may also use their motorcycles to commute to recreational activities (I carry a take-down fishing pole in my saddlebag). Motorcycles can also be used for business and work activities. One of the commercial uses of a motorcycle is in motorcycle courier services.

The armies of many countries made extensive use of motorcycles in both World Wars and beyond. Motorcycles, being economical and maneuverable, made good scout and escort vehicles. Electronic battlefield communications could be interfered with or intercepted by the enemy. Motorcycle couriers provided a fast method for secure battlefield communications.

After the 1^st World War, the British Army motorcycle couriers found work as private couriers in and around London. Motorcycles proved to be an economical way to quickly transport parcels in congested cities. By the mid 1970’s, businesses in London were so pleased with motorcycle courier services, that many commercial courier businesses were started up. These businesses used beepers and radio dispatched delivery riders to improve speed and efficiency. By the mid 1980’s, with the advent of fax machines and later e-mail, the need for courier services declined in industrialized countries like England. However, motorcycle couriers are as popular as ever in many developing countries.

Specialized courier services still operating in the British Isles are “blood bike” couriers. Blood bike couriers transport blood and other urgent medical supplies between hospitals and medical clinics in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Although a few commercial companies provide blood bike courier services, most of the blood bike couriers are volunteers and expenses are paid through charitable donations. These volunteer bikers are organized into various regional groups. In 2008, these groups formed a national association to promote professional standards among all the volunteers.

As you can see, motorcycles have a wide variety of uses. ABATE of Wisconsin continues to work to make sure that all those uses, whether for business or pleasure, remain safe and legal in Wisconsin.

John