Based on semi-structured interviews and direct observation, this paper discusses the stress-filled pursuit of safety by motorcycle couriers (motoboys) in Salvador, Brazil. A lack of capable guardianship forces these workers to take multi-faceted defensive social action against predatory crime to protect their vehicles, consignments, and personal belongings. The ecological (dis)advantages of urban spaces structure are, in turn, structured by this defensive action. Restrictive socio-spatial tactics based on individual guardianship capabilities are compared and contrasted with expansive socio-spatial tactics involving the negotiation of guardianship resources with others. The conclusion is that, although restrictive and expansive tactics are complementary, the former are more effective means of reducing the ecological disadvantages affecting motoboys than the latter.
Couriers; Predatory crimes; Capable guardianship; Ecological advantages; Defensive social action