Motorcycle club experiences & motivations

Project (M.S.W., Social Work) -- California State University, Sacramento, 2012Negative imagery portrayed by the media demonizes the biking community and reinvented the biker as a deviant outcast (McDonald-Walker, 2007). Motorcycle riders who wear vests or jackets with a three-piece patch are viewed differently than motorcycle riders that do not wear these patches (U.S. Department of Justice, 2008a; U.S. Department of Justice, 2008b; U.S. Department of Homeland Security, 2011; Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1999): they are considered deviant or outlaws by law enforcement and other agencies, and are considered terrorists and gang members (U.S. Department of Justice, 2008a; U.S. Department of Justice, 2008b; U.S. Homeland Security Advisory Council, 2004; Federal Bureau of Investigation, 1999). Two-piece patch holders are normally not viewed as outlaw bikers (Dulaney, 2006). This is a study of what motivates people to join and stay in these motorcycle clubs.\ud \ud \ud Twenty-six people were interviewed; five were two-piece patch holders, 18 were three-piece patch holders, two were three-piece prospective patch holders, and one was a three-piece hang-around. Seven of the participants were female and 19 were male, and they ranged from age 26 to 85, although not all participants disclosed their age. Twenty-two of the participants were interviewed in person, and four returned questionnaires by mail. They were from six counties in California and from one county in Nevada. \ud \ud \ud People join motorcycle clubs and stay in them for various reasons; however, there are compelling connections and similarities to these motives, such as the gratification of brotherhood/sistership, camaraderie, membership support, and the joy that comes with riding a motorcycle. In conjunction with the positive aspects of riding with a motorcycle club, there are also some negative aspects, such as the time it takes to be in a formal club, the cost of riding a motorcycle, in particular a Harley-Davidson, law enforcement harassment, and societal negative perceptions.Social Wor