London Dispatch

Motorcycle couriers risk their lives to deliver London's parcel. It is a job that peaked in the 80's and since the advent of the internet and other technologies, the need for these drivers has significantly disappeared.

Please leave a comment to the director.

Director/Editor - Raiko Siems, Producer - Michael Lund Cinematographer - Scott Frymire
Bikers - Jon Frosham, Victor Dudziak, Marnie and Giz Head

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Award
• winning
• short
• film

[dec149]

No one ever called Giz killer I always remember him as jabber,the boy could TALK

[raikosiems]

Did you know Giz? Does anyone know if he is still in the business?

[Gizmatron77]

@raikosiems In answer to the filmer's question I stayed full time in the game for 12 years till about may 1999 when I finally moved to my farm in France.end of '99 saw the hurricane in France demolish my house so back in London for 5 more years part time during the winter.Despatching was the most fun EVER! I was as much a nutter at the end as I ever was but despite every cold wet dangerous day it was a blast... and I bet I'm still faster than any of the youngsters doing it today.

[raikosiems]

@Gizmatron77

Giz!!! Is that you! How the hell are you? Send me an e-mail to me at Raiko321@yahoo.com.

[Saffabiker]

Strewth that brings back a flood of memories. It's one of those things you wouldn't mind going back to for a few days for the camaraderie & good times, but know you'd remember why you got out of it after all those years. Great piece of work dude.

[raikosiems]

Thanks for posting your comment and thanks for your kind words about the doc. I think you guys are really cool doing what you do.

[IAmDanIAmNotSam]

I miss those days. Flying around on my battered XJ550 then CBR6 - I new where their limits lay & I was fast and immortal, my own boss, up to £1,200 a week (in the good old days), partying hard all weekend with big bags of coke and E's and cash. Heading off to India etc for months when it got to cold or boring. I'm grateful I was in the right time and place for despatchings' heyday. Now it's sh*t pay, police, speed-cameras, 5 day week, 'official' hours and a 'proper job' kind of ethos.

[courier88]

i was a courier from 1983 till 2003 ,broke my neck and back in two separate accidents,lost 18 good friends,i work in a office now for Nissan,but you know something i still miss the job ! crazy i know,it was a total way of life, bikes mates good money freedom bet theres never a job like it again.

pete 88

[tentangkitabv]

@raikosiems on Jul 5, 2008 : "since the advent of the internet and other technologies, the need for these drivers has significantly disappeared".. ??? I don't agree with you, sorry.. The fact is conversely. Actually, the internet is significantly increasing the need for dispatch by motorcycle courier since ebay, kaskus, facebook, twiter, and other "via internet selling & purchasing".

[jmagicfingers]

Just been pointed at this, brings back a load of memories. I was only working for a couple of years late 80's but this really makes me remember them fondly.

[muswellmike]

Was a London courier on various bikes from the faithful maggot to the Fazer 6 for a total period of 20 years from 1991 to 2011. One fairly bad rearender but otherwise intact. Couldnt wait to get out of it and move to an easy life in Somerset pottering around in my van doing a bit of west country courier work.

Turns out I'm actually missing it. Never thought I would. It's like a drug. Doesn't even pay well anymore and hasn't for years,but when you finally try to convince yourself that it's time

[Gizmatron77]

@oonyack thanks for that word of confidence mcloon

[Gizmatron77]

@oonyack thanks for that word of confidence mcloon

[kingharryannis]

CX500 HONDA a great motorbike.

[radiocrash]

This is great when was it filmed ? i just returned to couriering from working in an office people say are you mad! but really i just love being out there being your own boss battling your way through the traffic not having to answer to some wanker called your boss you really don't respect and to the people who moan and winge about the weather man up for gods sake :)

[tubemech]

Nice little film.

Particularly like the way it ends on a positive note......!