Motorcycle Clubs: Reality vs. Myth

Motorcycle Clubs: Reality vs. Myth and Folklore

After the end of World War II in 1945, hundreds of thousands of American GIs began the process of re-assimilating into American society after an absence of up to four years in many cases. Initially, their resources were limited and some of the most economical private motorized transportation choices were surplus military equipment, including first issue Jeeps and motorcycles, particularly Harley Davidsons used as staff vehicles during the war.

Demand for them increased postwar production from approximately 200,000 in 1945 to more than one million by 1947. Motorcycle clubs formed in cities across the country, and many of them developed the reputation for violent behavior and destructive conduct glorified in countless movies about outlaw motorcycle clubs throughout the postwar years. The Hell's

Angels in particular quickly became the most notorious of them in public perception, after several high-profile events like the death of a Rolling Stones audience member at Altamont,

California in 1969 after a scuffle with members of the Hell's Angels hired as security for the event.

Modern Motorcycle Clubs:

Outlaw motorcycle gangs (OMG) still exist today, with thousands of members; the Hell's Angels still maintain hundreds of local factions across the country. Law enforcement agencies have infiltrated several OMGs, resulting in the discovery of extensive criminal enterprises, including drug trafficking, networks of methamphetamine laboratories, money laundering, and murder for hire. Criminal OMGs do exist, just like other forms of organized crime, but they now represent a very small minority of law abiding motorcycle clubs whose primary function is simply the shared experience of the enjoyment of bike riding. Contrary to the lingering image of the outlaw bikers portrayed by James Dean and Marlon Brando, today, the members of bike clubs are more likely to gainfully employed, productive members of society. Doctors, lawyers, and even a few judges spend weekends riding in bike clubs, as do senior citizens enjoying mobile retirement activities together on touring bikes suitable for extended cross-country excursions. There are veterans' bike clubs and even bike clubs within law enforcement, with names like Blue Nights, Iron Pigs, and Wild Pigs.

Positive Community Relations:

Like other social clubs and fraternal organizations, many bike clubs enjoy good relations with their local communities. Some of them even sponsor charity events. Typical of the modern breed of organizations dedicated to bike riding is the Wolf Pack Motorcycle

Club, founded in 2004 in Oakland, California. Their lengthy Mission Statement details their dedication to bike riding, brotherhood, and benefiting their local community (wolfpackmc.org, 2007). Their 10 founding principles read as follows:

Bringing together "Old School Biker Values" and "New World Attitudes

Diversity (bikes and membership)

Promoting Biker Brotherhood/Sisterhood

Camaraderie

Promoting a Love of Riding

Promoting Safety

Having Fun

Engaging in Community Service Activities

Supporting the Larger Biker Community

Improving Our Overall Motorcycling Skills

Likewise, the Mission Statement of the Road Raiderz motorcycle club founded in 2005 and based out of Maryland, Virginia, and Washington D.C. also emphasizes community relations; it reads, in part, as follows:

The mission of the club is to bring in those different experiences and ideals and create a club of riders that demonstrates a positive attitude to the motorcycling community.... our members demonstrate a passion for riding and contributing their time and efforts to community service, unity amongst all riders and assisting those less fortunate. Beyond this we love the freedom and excitement that comes from being on two wheels. Dedicated to each other, family and community."

Conclusion:

Coincidentally, yesterday (October 19, 2007), marked the official opening of the South Florida President's Council of Motorcycle Clubs & Organizations Pediatric

Trauma Center at Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital in Hollywood, Florida (SFSS, 2007).

The facility was made possible, in part, by the coordinated charitable activities and contributions of numerous motorcycle clubs. According to the road captain for the Wings of Gold Motorcycle Club, who spoke about his personal motivation and the efforts of their national president, big part of joining this club was getting involved in the good work that Bob did in the community... We've got a commitment... To continue that work."