When you say "biker" to mainstream middle Americans, they are sure to conjure pictures of leather-clad miscreants doing evil deeds while riding astride their motorcycles. They imagine loud drunken brawls in seedy bars. The stereotype of a biker is an unclean outlaw, who has little regard for social norms. Where did this stereotype come from?
The roots of motorcycle clubs are steeped in controversy and criminal activities. The Hells Angels is one of the largest motorcycle gangs in the world. They are the most widely known of the "Big 4" motorcycle groups that have been identified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Their crimes include drug trafficking, prostitution, theft, larceny, assault and murder. The club itself claims to be a charitable organization, derived to help the community. Regardless of their charter, it is clear that this is the type of biker that Americans have been taught to fear. Their reputation for being outlaws is partially of their own design, as the clubs admission practices and by-laws are shrouded in secrecy. With hundreds of individual clubs in 29 countries, they are seen as a threat by most law-abiding citizens. It is unclear how many members the Hells Angels have, estimates are 100,000+.
But what about the rest of the biker community? At least 90% of these folks have never been involved in a crime. Organized "runs" (where bikers ride from place to place collecting points) have raised millions of dollars for charities. Every year, Toys for Tots benefits from thousands of bikers collecting toys, they are one of the largest contributors to the cause. These good deeds are overshadowed by the criminal acts (and checkered pasts!) of a relative few. Their role in society is cast as outlaw, by virtue of a minority that chooses to disobey the law.
I have the good fortune to know quite a few bikers. I have learned quite a bit about the culture, and what they are truly about. If you ask a biker why they ride, many will tell you its for the freedom of the open road. If you've ever ridden a motorcycle, you will understand. Do they consider themselves outlaws? Not at all. Most have full time jobs. They pay taxes and take their kids to school. They do yard-work and are involved in the PTA. These are normal people, who love riding their motorcycles. I hesitate to call riding a hobby, because it is truly more than that.
So, if the majority of bikers are law-abiding citizens, why the outlaw moniker? Simply put, most has to do with their appearance. Bikers look like outlaws. There are actually legitimate reasons for the way they dress and look;
Why leather? It protects a rider in the event of an accident.
Why do they look so dirty? When you ride a motorcycle, you are exposed to everything flying about on the road. Dirt and grime deposit on every surface of your body. Your hair is an attractant for moisture, hence the "greasy" hair look. If the rider is wearing a helmet, which is very heavy, their heads sweat. When the helmet is removed, the result is a nasty case of "hat hair."
What about those huge boots? Again, these are for protection. Steel toed boots protect the riders feet, and the tops of the boots guard their legs from exhaust pipe burns.
Why do they wear bandannas? This is two-fold; to protect their necks from sun and windburn, and to help disguise the dreaded hat hair described above.
Why do they ride together, like a gang? In a car, you can go to places with friends in one vehicle. If you take a motorcycle, everyone drives separately.
Why do they have clubs? Sharing time with people that enjoy what you do isn't sinister, it's human nature. There are clubs for all sorts of activities, from knitting to snowboarding.
The next time you see a biker on the road, don't be so quick to judge. He is likely to be your neighbor, or the guy who does your taxes every year.