ABSTRACT
This chapter examines representations of a group of cyclists with a strong sense of identity which often manifests itself in feelings of marginality in a variety of social settings bicycle messengers. In terms of the labour market, cycle messengers are at the periphery. The 'negative-inside' representation where the correspondent, presents an image of a workforce which is exploited, vilified, marginalised and victimised. Within this 'positive-outside' discourse there is the construction of an identity for public consumption which accentuates elements of bicycle messengering that might appeal to certain sectors of society. The 'positive-inside' perspective makes explicit ordinarily tacit assumptions about the benefits of messengering and cycling in general. Part of the image propagated by messengers is that of the 'maverick', an individualistic, unorthodox, independently minded person working in a hostile environment and adapting to situations as they arise. The messenger community is organised around the bicycle as the principal feature of messengers' social lives and livelihoods.
