Spoke Card History

SpokeCards are used to identify competitors in Alleycat races held between bicycle messengers.
Originally Tarot cards were used, with the race number written on them, but nowadays cards are often printed specially.

The SpokeCard is wedged between the spokes of the rear wheel at the point where they cross each other.
Although the SpokeCard is hard to read while the bicycle is in motion, it provides a cheap way to label them in the absence of a proper race number plaque under the top tube, and is less likely to attract the attention of the authorities than a number on the rider's back.

Many messengers retain SpokeCards after the event, accumulating several on the wheel. Other fixed-gear riders sometimes fix spoke cards to their wheels as an affectation of messenger culture.