Motorcycle gangs: organization, culture, and criminal activity

Motorcycle Gangs

Is it a gang or is it a club? How did it form and why? What does it take to become a member and what are the reasons? These are all important questions to anyone interested in knowing more about motorcycle gangs/clubs. At the very start, one must decide whether to consider the organization a gang or a club.

The definition of an Outlaw Motorcycle Gang interpreted by a recent Canadian Court Decision: Court File No.45646/92 and published in the Blue Line Magazine Feb 1998 is as follows:

They are often used interchangeably with the term "one percenter"

The 1% symbol is commonly displayed on tattoos by members, or on gang colors

Love of the motorcycle, especially the Harley-Davidson

Paramilitary in nature involved in crime close-knit fraternal organization

The definition continues at length, but one is able to perceive the direction of its intent. A gang is not just a group of wayward men who happen to love their bikes. It is more than the movie version of rebellious youth.

Most motorcycle gangs are well-organized. They have written constitutions, bylaws, and a hierarchical leadership structure. Members pay dues and attend regular meetings to confirm loyalty to the gang leadership. Enforced gang member contact is achieved by mandated attendance at club-sanctioned functions (runs). If members break rules or bylaws, their misdeeds are punished with penalties ranging from fines to murder. Many motorcycle gangs have incorporated; some have trademarked their gang logos. Some call their meeting nights "church." According to some sources, the Hell's Angels gang maintains its own Church of the Angels. This is significant since a gang that owns its own church gives its "ministers" the right to visit members in jail. It also provides the "church" with local, state, and federal tax exemptions.

If, after reading only a brief paragraph of research, one is still interested in becoming a member of a gang, how does one go about it? Generally, one expresses interest and must then be sponsored by a current club member. Once accepted, one is referred to as a "prospect." After a probationary period, usually six months to one year, the prospect can wear colors, but may keep them only after ten years in good standing.

The Wild Pigs, a "club" populated by policemen, have their membership requirements posted on the internet by NAGIA, The National Alliance of gang Investigators Association. (NAGIA, 33-35). They include the above referenced guidelines.

There are Christian motorcycle clubs, gay motorcycle clubs, female motorcycle clubs, which makes it very difficult to characterize the nature of the club or gang without speaking of one specifically. The more notorious gangs have worldwide chapters and reputedly ties to the MAFIA. "By the '80s, the FBI had recognized motorcycle gangs as a priority in its organized crime program, just behind La Cosa Nostra. Other federal law enforcement agencies, such as ATF and DEA, also initiated successful conspiracy investigations" (NAGIA, 33-35).

Is it a club or a gang? One look at the insignia, patch, identifying symbol, otherwise referred to as colors when worn on a jacket, could give one an idea of the virtues of their chosen organization. Of the 64 emblems reviewed, this writer makes note that most include a skull. Many embellish the skull with bandanas, or wings. Some add swords, devils, knives, guns, naked animals performing lewd acts, snakes and the like. The Veterans of Vietnam, Missouri chapter only depicts a map of the region - quite tame in comparison to the Mortal Skulls of New York, who portray a spider encased skull encircled in mist. (Arnie, 1-4)