Outlaw motorcycle club

An outlaw motorcycle club (MC), often called a biker club or, in Australia, a bikie club, is a subculture built around cruiser motorcycles like Harley-Davidsons and choppers, along with values that emphasize freedom, rejection of mainstream norms, and loyalty to the group. This subculture started in the United States in the late 1940s and later spread worldwide. In the U.S., these clubs are labeled "outlaw" not mainly because of criminal activity, but because they operate outside the American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) and its rules, instead following their own bylaws rooted in outlaw biker culture. The U.S. Department of Justice defines "outlaw motorcycle gangs" (OMG) as groups whose members use their clubs as fronts for criminal enterprises.

In terms of organization, a typical MC has a president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, road captain, and sergeant-at-arms (also called an enforcer). Larger clubs often divide into local groups called charters or chapters, with the first one known as the mother chapter, which acts as the club’s ruling body. Sometimes the mother chapter’s president leads the entire club and sets policy, while other clubs elect or appoint a national president for that role. Bigger clubs frequently buy property for a clubhouse or private compound, which are often fortified with security systems and used for meetings. To cover costs like rent, purchase, or furnishing, clubs raise money through membership dues, fines, selling items to members, brokering club shares, hosting parties, and organizing motorcycle trips. Some clubs also keep a legal defense fund for members.

Membership usually involves stages like "friend of the club," "hang-around," and "prospect" before becoming a full-patch member, though these steps vary widely. A candidate must pass a membership vote and swear allegiance to the club. Many clubs have a unique patch (cut or top rocker) with the term "MC" worn on a vest called a kutte. During early stages, hazing can occur, ranging from menial tasks for full members to pranks or, rarely, violence. A prospect may wear the club name on their vest but not the full logo. To become a full member, a prospect or probate must be voted on by all full members, often requiring more than a simple majority; a single dissenting vote can block admission. A formal induction follows, where the new member pledges loyalty, and the final patch is awarded. Full members are called "full patch members" or "patchholders," and the process is known as "being patched."

Most outlaw club members have no serious criminal record, viewing their outlaw status as social—rejecting groups like the AMA, not government laws. They see themselves as a fraternity that defies societal norms, with brotherhood shown through tattoos, club "colors," and ranks or titles. However, a subculture also exists that involves outrageous acts, disrespect toward women, a macho image, and heavy drug and alcohol use. Many non-outlaw clubs adopt similar insignia, colors, and structures, making it hard for outsiders, including police, to tell them apart. Much of the mystique and unwritten rules of non-outlaw clubs are believed to come from outlaw clubs.

Outlaw clubs are often prominent at charity events like toy runs, and their charitable giving is frequently cited as proof they don’t deserve a negative image. However, they have been accused of using charity rides to hide criminal activity. The AMA has complained that outlaw clubs give motorcycling bad publicity and that their presence at charity events harms people in need by reducing public participation and donations. A 2005 shootout between rival outlaw clubs during a charity toy drive in California raised fears about their involvement in such events. Authorities have tried to ban outlaw clubs from charity events or restrict the wearing of colors to prevent inter-club violence. In 2002, the Warlocks MC of Pennsylvania sued over their exclusion from such events.