Understanding Motorcycle Club Culture

If motorcycles influence your lifestyle, you are part of the motorcycle community. Of all the types of organizations found within that community, the motorcycle club stands apart and ranks highest in stature. A serious M/C commands respect for one or both of two reasons.

Those who are informed recognize the deep level of personal commitment and self-discipline that a person has to demonstrate and sustain in order to wear a patch, so much so that it is akin to being a full-time profession for the individual. They realize that a club's colors are closely guarded and the membership process is long and difficult. All else put aside, you have to respect the person for what they have accomplished by being able to earn and keep the patch they wear.

Those who are less informed see only the surface of things. They see the vigilance of mutual support, the potential dangers of invoking a response from a well-organized unit that travels in numbers and is always prepared for confrontation. They know that no one can provoke one club member without having to answer to the entire club, and that such an answer is a point of honor that must come down to the last person. The type of respect that this generates is one that is born out of fear.

The serious motorcycle club will conduct itself publicly in a highly professional manner. Members will not go out of their way to cause trouble or to present themselves as an intimidating force without purpose or provocation. Their respect is gained from both of the realities described above.

There are many lesser clubs whose membership is made up of equally lesser individuals. These clubs, without a continual show of strength, would have no respect at all. The majority of these types of clubs are short lived; however, the general public does not always draw a distinction between different club colors. If one club causes a problem that touches the public sector, the offending club's identity is often confused or ignored, and pressure comes down on all clubs. As a result, within a given community, motorcycle clubs will tend to police themselves.

There is also a natural hierarchy that is recognized between motorcycle clubs themselves. The strongest and most established club will assume charge of the particular state in which they ride. This dominant club will, for reasons beneficial to all, help maintain order and structure among clubs within that region.

• Authorize the establishment of new clubs within the state
• Disband clubs that cause continual problems
• Act as mediators to resolve problems between existing clubs
• Step in and enforce solutions if feuding clubs cannot come to terms
• Provide communication links and coordinate inter-club events
• Call on clubs within a state for additional support when dealing with an external threat

It is also not uncommon for the dominant club of an area to select some of its prospects from the best ranks of other clubs. In some cases, clubs have even been established with this sole purpose in mind. Without the dominant club of a state taking this leadership position, clubs would not enjoy the luxury of putting their time and resources toward the benefit of their own brotherhood or sisterhood. Nor would they enjoy the mobility and freedom of movement that comes with peace and order.

In most cases, a patch holder was a hang-around for the club for at least a year. Before that, they were a long-standing acquaintance whose attitude and overall conduct was already well known. They then prospected for the club from one to two years before being awarded their patch.

Of all the things in this person's life, their loyalty and commitment to the well-being of their club comes first, above family, friends, job, personal possessions, and personal safety. There is never any doubt or time spent considering which comes first. The only thing that approaches their commitment to the club is their commitment to their brothers or sisters. But even here, the interest of the club always comes before that of the individual.

To be certain that this ethic and standard of attitude is carried by new members, clubs participate in conditioning, educating, and at times testing prospects or prospective members. Before allowing another person to wear their colors, as a symbol of mutual commitment, they want to be certain that the new member brings the same loyalty and dedication that they themselves display.

They have the attitude that there are two types of people in the world: their brothers or sisters, and those who are a potential threat to the club. For this reason they do not discuss club-related business, membership numbers, the club's movements, or personal information about their brothers or sisters with anyone outside the club. Anything that could be used to piece together a picture of the club is considered a serious security issue.

Wearing a patch is more than getting together for good times. It is also getting together in bad times. It constitutes a lot of work. It is committing yourself to a lifestyle in which you do not look for how your brothers or sisters might help you, but for ways in which you can be of help to them. You always look to give, but never expect to receive.

Now all of this may sound very idealistic, and in some cases it is just that. But it is an ideal that all clubs profess and are always striving to achieve in principle and practice.