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Alleycat is the name given to races in which bicycle messengers traditionally compete. The races are styled to mimic the sorts of riding a messenger might encounter while working. The races typically do not have a pre-disclosed course and often use checkpoints instead of a fixed route. They frequently take place after dark, and they usually happen on major holidays such as Halloween and St. Valentines Day. The concept of the night race has long been a universal one in bike messenger culture, but the designation "Alleycat" originated in Toronto in 1989, and, as a result of the advent of the Cycle Messenger World Championships since 1993, has been exported to cities all over the globe.

In Toronto, Alleycat can also refer to one of the original founding members of the races.

There are no exact rules regarding how an Alleycat must operate but there are few more common things that you may or may not find in a race. This is by no means a complete list.

• Checkpoints - The first checkpoint is often given at the start of the race in much the same way a messenger would be assigned a delivery. The route to a checkpoint is left up to the rider and showcases a messenger's knowledge of the area.
• Task Checkpoints - In some races upon arriving at a checkpoint the rider may have to perform some task or trick before being given the next location. Often there is not a task at all of the checkpoints in a race and tasks can sometimes be skipped (at a loss of points) if a rider feels that time to complete a task is not worth the points they would earn.
• Checkpoints Up Front - Some races give all of the checkpoints at the start and allow the rider to choose the best route between the stops.
• Point Collection - Some races use a scavenger hunt style race where each stop is worth a certain number of points. These are often races of the Checkpoints Up Front variety and a rider may decide to not stop at some checkpoints valuing an earlier completion time over the points a particular stop may earn them.

In recent years there has been an increase in the popularity of riding fixed gear bicycles along with other trappings of messenger culture. As a result, many non-couriers have taken to organizing races and dubbing them Alleycats. While there is no official definition of an Alleycat, many messengers feel that Alleycats are a part of their culture that they would like to retain. Though they're often happy to see others getting excited about cycling, many wish they would not refer to non-messenger races as Alleycats.

In the United Kingdom, organised, road, cycle races can not take place without closing the course to other traffic. Alleycat races are therefore, by their nature, technically illegal.

• Bicycle messenger
• Monstertrack alleycat
• Stupor Bowl