The Milwaukee Post

January 26, 2018 • Milwaukee County Post • 11 By CATHERINE JOZWIK Special to the Post MILWAUKEE — The heavy snow and subzero temperatures are a minor inconvenience say some bicycle couriers when weighed with an earth-friendly job that pays them to exercise and stay in shape. "It's nice to have a job where you feel accomplished and are not nega- tively impacting the environment. It's pretty rad," said Sunni Kessenich, a cyclist for Breakaway Couriers in downtown Milwaukee, about her work that produces zero carbon emissions. Bike couriers deliver everything from bakery orders to legal docu- ments to prescription medication. Cyclists typically travel within a 10- to 20-mile radius of downtown Milwaukee, pedaling as far west as Wauwatosa, and as far south as General Mitchell International Airport. Breakaway, which was founded by Milwaukee resident Wayne Wallner in 1998, was formed after Wallner, having studied Quicksilver Express Courier and another operation, saw an opportunity to start a bike deliv- ery company that offered additional services, such as notary public and courthouse filing. Steven Feih, who has owned Milwaukee Courier Company since 2009, said his business gets pre- dictably busy around tax time, and at the beginning of a new year, but some days are more hectic than oth- ers. "It's a weird beast," he said. Riding out tight parking, heavy traffic Cousins Subs implemented a bike delivery service at its corporate- owned Brady Street location on the East Side, a busy area with limited parking, several years ago, Director of Field Operations Matthew Somoles said. "We wanted to be more of a part of the Brady Street community," he said. So far, bike deliveries have been very popular with customers, as Somoles cites many repeat orders. The typical customer order is about $18 for several sandwiches and sides. All three businesses take online delivery requests and have about seven couriers, both full and part time, on staff. In areas with heavy traffic, such as downtown Milwaukee, bicyclists are able to deliver items quicker than they could by car, Kessenich said. Riders can maneuver around cars easily and don't have to worry about finding parking spots because they can often lock their bikes up in front of their destination. Couriers use special bags, or have a built-in area for cargo on the bikes, to transport items. Somoles said couriers typically use their own bicycles. They are often pas- sionate cyclists who know how to fix a flat tire or any other mechani- cal problem that might pop up on the job. Being prepared Because salt and moisture can cause bike parts to rust, proper maintenance, such as lubricating bike chains, is important, especially in the winter, Kessenich said. She wipes her bike off with a special cloth about once a week. Feih recommends couriers use a cross bike, which combines the ruggedness of a mountain bike with the agility of a road bike. Kessenich said each courier has his or her own preference. "If it rides, it works," she said. Biking downtown in extreme cold and wind, and during heavy snow- falls, requires practice and prepara- tion in order to stay safe and warm. Feih said the polar vortex winter about five years ago was the worst he's experienced so far. He learned how to dress for work to combat subzero temperatures, while still remaining comfortable, through trial and error. "At first, I tried to layer up like that kid from (the movie) 'A Christmas Story,'" he said. Feih recommends couriers wear thin layers of clothing made of sporty fabric, such as nylon. Heavier clothes, such as thick sweaters, restrict movement and can cause bikers to overheat as they exert themselves. Kessenich said that wool is a good material, as it keeps cyclists warm if they get wet, and recommends wearing a windbreaker. Ice is more dangerous for couri- ers than snow, Feih said, as bikes can be outfitted with studded tires, which help cut through the snow. Kessenich noted that railroad tracks, and cobblestone streets, like Old World Third Street, can be pre- carious for riders, as the stones freeze and then become thick once the ice thaws. But Feih said the biggest bike obstacle, even bigger than a snow- storm, is traffic, as many drivers are distracted by smartphones and other devices. "You got one guy on his phone not paying attention — that could be a life-changer," he said. Bike couriers brave snow, sleet, rails for a lifestyle job Subzero subs among items delivered Photo courtesy Cousins Subs A Cousins Subs bike courier delivers orders in a specialty pack. Photo courtesy Breakaway Couriers Cargo bikes, such as this one used at Breakaway Couriers, are made to carry heavy loads. Submitted photo Steven Feih is the owner of Milwaukee Courier Company, a bicycle delivery serv- ice. URBAN ENVIRONMENT

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