TORONTO COURIER WAYNE SCOTT WINS MARCUS COOK AWARD
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 8, 2003
The International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations (IFBMA) announced today that Toronto courier Wayne Scott is this year«s winner of the Marcus Cook Memorial Award for service to the international messenger community.
The award will be presented to Wayne as part of the Messenger Appreciation Day (10-9 Day) celebration at Yonge-Dundas Square at about 12:00 noon on October 9, 2003.
There will be free snacks and refreshments. Councillor Kyle Rae, Toronto Centre-Rosedale, and Councillor Jane Pitfield, Don Valley West will deliver a proclamation from the city also around 12pm.
The International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations awards the Marcus Cook Award every year "to the courier who inspires and empowers the wider messenger community, the messenger that puts all of us before themselves." Last year«s recipient (2002) was Toronto's Derek Chadbourne. Previous winners include 1998 - Joe Hendry (Toronto), 1999 - Rebecca ÒLambchopÓ Reilly (Washington DC, New York City, San Francisco etc), 2000 - John Kenda (Boston) & Philadelphia Bike Messenger Association, 2001- Joel Metz (San Francisco). For more on the Marcus Cook Award visit http://www.messengers.org/ifbma/mca.html
The International Federation of Bike Messenger Associations (IFBMA) exists to ensure the successful realization of an annual Cycle Messenger World Championships; to foster a spirit of cooperation and community amongst bicycle messengers world-wide; and to promote the use of pedal power for commercial purposes. The IFBMA is affiliated with messenger associations all over the world which includes the Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier Coalition.
About Wayne Scott
Wayne has been a courier for over 20 years. During that time he has dedicated himself to promoting the sustainable messenger industry and its individual couriers. He has persevered through injuries that forced him off his bike and an occasional temporary sabbatical from the road. He just began his third decade as a courier this month.
Wayne battled both the federal government and the auto industry on behalf of messengers. What«s unique about him is his ability to not only fight but to win those battles.
Wayne«s most famous contribution to messengers is the Food as Fuel deduction for the extra food that couriers consume to do their jobs. This puts an extra $200-$500 in the pocket of every bike and foot messenger every single year in Canada. The city of Toronto presented him with a special award for this achievement, and it has inspired calls for similar treatment around the world. (http://www.bikesatwork.com/cycling-for-profit/food-as-fuel.html)
He successfully forced General Motors to alter one of their car commercials to remove a Òdemeaning Éderogatory portrayalÓ of couriers. (http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/18/12/News/tech.html) And he has continued to challenge the auto and advertising industry to produce more responsible ads. (http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2001-05-10/news_flashes3.html)
He overturned a ban on messengers entering Toronto«s former Metro Hall to deliver their packages.
He is a founder of the Toronto Hoof and Cycle Courier Coalition (THC3). As a representative of the THC3 he was elected to Chair the Toronto Pedestrian Committee where he helped pedestrians and the police gain a better understanding of messengers« challenges. He has also represented messengers on the Metro Cycling and Pedestrian Committee.
In 1997 when he the tax court ruled against him in his bid to have food deducted as fuel the media portrayed the battle as finished. It was over. The law was the law. And for most people it would be. Not for Wayne. He said if that«s the law then we«ll change the law. And he did.
Toronto Hoof & Cycle Courier Coalition press release