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Motorcyclists have made great strides in the past years to break free from the "Outlaw Biker" stereotype that has been attached since "The Wild One", a movie supposedly recounting the July 4th "Biker Blowout" in Hollister, California, aired in the early 1950's. In a way, Marlon Brando's portrayal of the hot headed leader of the "outlaw" motorcycle club, the "Black Rebels M/C", became something of a benchmark for all of the other souls out there looking for an identity. |
The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA), the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF), all of the separate ABATE's and Confederation of Clubs organized throughout the country have taken active roles in seeking parity for those of us who call ourselves Bikers. Traditionally, the equality sought by these organizations has centered around legislative issues such as helmet law proposals, bike bans from certain roads, and the relatively new topic of insurance discrimination. An issue that has been "sidestepped" to a degree is the issue concerning parity...equality...extended to motorcyclists for some of the simplest things that non-riders take for granted. For those not familiar with such policies, "no colors" clauses are typically enacted by bars or taverns to limit the types and numbers of motorcycle riders converging on the establishment. "Colors" refer to the specific back patch worn by the motorcyclist. Most of these policies are enacted by owners in an attempt to control, in their minds, a "negative" element. In other words, to control those "Hell raising Bikers"... Now, where would these owners gather such slanderous perceptions of motorcyclists? Most certainly, the media, and films such as "The Wild One" have had their effect on the public's perceptions of us, but in all honesty, we have to accept that our own actions over the years have done more, and continuing, damage to our reputations (as motorcyclists) than the media or films could ever do. |
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So what constitutes a "Club"? The AMA once defined the number of "outlaw" clubs in America as consisting of approximately 1% of the total motorcyclist population. It didn't take long for the targeted clubs to adopt the 1% designation as a symbol of pride...Today, the so called "outlaw" club members are know as "1 percenters". The AMA considered an "outlaw" club to be one composed primarily to engage in organized crime. Today, even that moniker of distinction is contested by the 1%er clubs who have matured and become more organized. Many of the identified 1%er clubs today profess to have "cleaned up their act". So what has become of the other 99% of motorcyclists in America? Certainly, a large percentage are just your normal everyday, shine on Saturday, and ride on Sunday motorcycle enthusiasts who profess no club participation, "outlaw" or otherwise. The remaining portion of motorcyclists DO belong to clubs, however, you will be hard pressed to lump their type of club into the "outlaw" club classification. My perception is that a club is just that...A group of people who share similar interests, and come together to enjoy each others' company. To declare that this definition applies to motorcyclists ONLY would be way off the mark. So why do "no colors" policies target motorcyclists? I see motorcyclists targeted for a number of reasons. Most notably, the old adage of "strength in numbers" probably kicks in. Put yourself in the place of the local pub owner...You've probably got your life savings wrapped up in your bar. You may be to the point that you're actually taking a few bucks home at the end of the week... All is peaches and cream. AND THEN, from outside your window, you see fully a dozen of the biggest, meanest, dudes EVER come rolling into your parking lot, their scooters kicking up dust, and their pipes vibrating the windows. You don't know about motorcycling...Hell, all you've ever heard about Bikers has been how they rape, pillage, and plunder. WHAT ARE YOU GONNA' DO? More than likely, you're gonna' react with great hesitation. Hopefully, you'll let the Bikers shake off the road dust and amble on into your bar...Maybe then, you can get a GOOD look at their "colors"... Maybe then you'll find out that they're just a group of riders looking for a cold one and a burger at the end of the day... And, hey, they were damn nice fellas...Not to mention that they tipped well! If everything were that easy! Shop owners, regardless of the shop, have the legal right to bar entry to anyone that they feel may cause them or their establishment harm**. That's the law, and it's a valid one. Our task as motorcyclists is to attempt to change the standard "outlaw" biker mentality that has been applied to anyone wearing leather and looking "different". We need to be honest with ourselves and acknowledge the parts that we play in keeping the stereotype alive, and we AT THE LEAST do not need to act in a way to reinforce the stereotype... So what are YOU gonna' do the next time YOU'RE asked to remove YOUR colors or leave? |
**The Federal Definition
is This:
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Copyright © 1998-2008 by Tom "Squirts" Clark. All rights reserved. Excerpts from this document may be quoted with proper reference to the URL, the author, and the modification date listed below.
09/3/08
