This isn't a question, but rather, an observation concerning 1%ers. I don't think it really warrants creating a new thread, however. Apologies if this connection was previously established (search feature didn't work for me), but:
I've never seen this explained (although I did just notice that the Oddworld Encyclopedia's Oddworld FAQ does mention that 1%ers are bikers), but having recently started reading Hunter S. Thompson's
Hell's Angels, I finally made a connection in terms of the origin of their (nick?)name:
"This compact description of rancid, criminal sleaziness is substantially correct except for the hocus-pocus about the
one percenters. All Angels wear this patch, as do most other outlaws, and all it means is that they are proud to be part of the alleged one percent of bike riders whom the American Motorcycle Association refuses to claim." -Thompson,
Hell's Angels, pg. 8
The "biker" description certainly matches the concept art (
here - despite the "meetle," this is the only concept art of a 1%er that we've caught a glimpse of, if I'm not mistaken), given the leather jacket / overall menacing disposition, as well as the whole 1%er business.
According to what little I've read so far, the Hell's Angels were/are pretty notorious for wholly embracing their status as "outlaws," and many members participate in committing all sorts of lewd and obscene acts of violence and sexual abuse. I'm guessing Oddworld's 1%ers follow suite - probably ten-fold.
"We're the one percenters, man - the one percent that don't fit and don't care. [...] We've punched our way out of a hundred rumbles, stayed alive with our boots and our fists. We're royalty among motorcycle outlaws, baby." -Thompson (quoting a member),
Hell's Angels, pg. 3
I can only imagine what a motorcycle on Oddworld must look like....