Biker Gangs of America

Biker Gangs of America

The open air and miles of stretched out cement form mazes all across the United States. Bikers nationwide consider this road a home away from home and their desire to explore it is sometimes described as a spiritual calling and also can be the road to a life of organized crime. Bikers often form groups, clubs and gangs to find community and enjoy the open road together.

Often passing one biker alone in an automobile or having them brush past your vehicle one can fear for their safety. With motorcycle bikers, the procuring noise and visual effect of a group of leather clad well traveled bikers is enough to part traffic and make cars treat the group with respect and reverence and even a little fear.

Highly organized legal as well as unlawful gangs consist of membership or allegiance based on a strict voting system.

If a single one of the club bikers says no, the new recruit will be rejected and therefore unprotected on the wrong turf. Clubs may have patches adorned with the term MC that member bikers are to wear on their vests. The internal organization of a biker club consists of a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, road captain and sergeant-at-arms. Localized groups of a single Motorcycle Club are called chapters; the first chapter is referred to as the mother chapter. The president of the mother chapter serves as the president of the entire biker club and sets rules and policies on a variety of issues.

Lawful bikers clubs may contain a cross section of military or firemen, law enforcement agencies or a combination thereof. The longest running biker club in the U.S is known as the Yonkers MC founded in 1903, the San Francisco MC and the Oakland MC. The Hell's Angels are one of the largest biker organizations. The serious Hell's Angel's bikers' ride of choice is typically a Harley-Davidson. Although the group defines itself as motorcycle enthusiasts who organize social events such as group road trips, fundraisers, parties and motorcycle rallies, membership into this club is kept highly confidential.

In the sixties they were also involved briefly in concert security. On December 6th, 1969, California Hells Angels members were hired by The Rolling Stones as bodyguards for a fee, which was said to include $500 worth of beer. During the Altamont free concert allegedly a biker's motorcycle was knocked over spurring many dramatic and violent attacks in which the Hells Angles staved off the crowd with poll sticks. Many people were injured at the concert and four people lost their lives. The events were partially documented in the 1970's film 'Game Shelter'. The resulting lawsuits and prosecutions solidified the biker gang's reputation as having ties to organized crime.

The toughest bikers who we find presented again and again in movies and popular culture can be separated into four groups known to the FBI as the big four or The Pagans, Hells Angels, Outlaws MC and the Banditos. The colors of a biker or vest emblems may contain the actual letters MC and a notification of 1% and even in some cases of territorial agreement a 'support patch' which helps to communicate whose turf they are being allowed to ride on. The absence of these patches is also a statement and for some riders a risk as bikers can be very territorial and intimidating.