'It's not meant to be illegal, that's just how it is': Alleycat racer speaks about the culture behind fixed city racing

The underground bike races have attracted attention this past week, so we spoke to someone who takes part

Rider on fixed bike
Image for illustration purposes only
(Image credit: Getty Images)

"You can't claim it's responsible riding, right?", acknowledges James*, an Alleycat racer who volunteered to speak to Cycling Weekly about the very much illegal bike racing discipline which grabbed headlines earlier this week. 

Alleycat racing is a largely underground phenomenon, which grew out of cycle courier culture in the USA, particularly New York, but has now made it into the UK national press after last week’s Great Alleycat of London race.

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