Would you like to find out more about the Gangs of Bikers 1%? Do you want to find out what their activities and motivations are? Why are they called “1% Clubs”? Where can you find them? And who are the most famous among them?
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Biker gangs, also known as “1%” or “1% Club”, are groups of bikers considered criminal. This appellation is the result of a police statement claiming that 99% of bikers were law-abiding, while 1% were involved in criminal activities to support their gangs. 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
In this article, we will explore together:
- The meanings of the term “1%”
- The origin of the term “1% Club”
- The most famous clubs
- The activities of these outlaw bikers
- How they promote their clubs
After reading this article, you’ll be fully informed when someone mentions the term “1%”, as well as the arguments in defense (or not) of this category of bikers. But before we get started, let us introduce you to our biker ring, of which we’re very proud! Just click on the image below to discover it.
Signification and Origin of the Term “1% Club”
Why the term “1% Club”? As we mentioned earlier, the “1%” refers to biker groups whose activities are predominantly criminal. So where does this peculiar appellation come from? It comes from the United States, more precisely from the state of California. 🧐
According to history, on July 4, 1947, on Independence Day in Hollister, a demonstration by over 4,000 bikers degenerated into a major riot. The demonstration was led by a group of tattooed individuals riding large motorcycles and criticizing the American Motorcyclist’s sporting rules as too strict. From then on, these individuals began to organize their own meetings and, above all, to establish their own rules. The authorities quickly deemed these gatherings illegal.
The day was so memorable that it became known as the “Hollister Riot”. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) even made a statement about it, claiming that 99% of the bikers present that day were law-abiding citizens, while only 1% were responsible for the riots. 🤠
It was from this statement that biker clubs began to claim membership in a world of violence and crime. Biker gangs thus developed a certain pride around that well-known appellation: “1%”. Today, when we speak of outlaw bikers or outlaw motorcyclists, we immediately think of biker clubs or “1% clubs”. They are also known as “percenters” or “one-percenters”. By definition, the term “1% club” refers to outlaw bikers who totally reject state authority and prefer to live by their own rules.
History of motorcycle clubs 1%
Biker clubs are groupings of individuals who share a love of motorcycles. Their appearance dates back to the early 1950s. Groups of young motorcycle enthusiasts came together to form gangs. These clubs then evolved into “outlaw motorcycle clubs”. ☠️
In their early days, they were known as “One Percenters” or “Outlaw Motorcycle Gangs”. These terms refer to bikers who preferred crime to the traditional way of life. Today, they are among the world’s most notorious criminal organizations. The New York Motorcycle was the very first motorcycle club. In 1903, it merged with the Alpha Motorcycle Club of Brooklyn to become the Federation of American Motorcyclists. It was later that the Motorcycle and Allied Trades Association (M&ATA) created a motorcyclist division, giving birth to the American Motorcyclist Association.
Activities of these Criminal Gangs
The criminal world of biker clubs is nothing new. In fact, these bikers, who make up just 1% of motorcycle clubs, engage in a variety of criminal activities, including murder, drug trafficking, theft, robberies and, above all, territorial wars between gangs, which sometimes turn into bloodbaths… What sets these clubs apart from other motorcycle clubs with no illegal activities is their commitment to honor. Members are ready to die proudly to defend their gang’s colors. 👊
Most 1% clubs straddle the line between legality and illegality. That’s why their websites can display quite ordinary activities. T-shirt sales, family and member gatherings, sales of motorcycles and rider accessories, and so on. They even go so far as to take part in charity events to touch the hearts of the general public and enhance their image as criminals.
However, biker gangs will not hesitate to resort to violence if their club is threatened. This violence can range from a simple brawl to a bomb attack. Beneath their appearance of motorcycle enthusiasts, hide criminals ready to impose their rules and make themselves respected, without hesitating to pull the trigger.
List of 1% Most Famous Clubs
If you’re standing here, you probably know a few criminal biker gangs, but certainly not all of them! Let us introduce you to the most famous of them, with their founding dates and the number of members they have (note that the order doesn’t represent anything in particular):
⇒ BANDIDOS MC: Founded in the 1960s, present in 20 countries (including France) and boasting nearly 2,500 official members. ✌️
⇒ BLACK PISTON MC: This club was founded in the early 2000s. It is the support club for the “Outlaws” and is renowned for its extreme violence. Present in 15 countries, it appeared in France in 2016.
⇒ BOOZEFIGHTER MC: This club is one of the oldest and most important in gang history. Unlike the others, its members don’t claim to be part of the 1%, but the activities of certain members sometimes cast a shadow… He was born in California in 1946.
⇒ CHOSEN FEW MC: Founded in the USA in 1959, this club is made up of black and white bikers. This racial diversity is rare among 1% motorcycle clubs. It is also present in Europe. 🇪🇺
⇒ COMANCHERO MC: An Australian club founded in 1968, it is also present throughout Europe. It had over 2,000 members when it was founded.
⇒ GREMIUM MC: This German club was founded in 1972. It rapidly expanded to several countries around the world, particularly in Europe.
⇒ GIPSY JOKERS MC: Founded in 1956 in the United States, this club is present in just 5 countries. It was very small, but the actions of the original members are still well known in the motorcycle world today.
⇒ HELLS ANGELS MC: Quite simply, this is the best-known 1% motorcycle club. With over 2,000 members, it was founded in the late 1940s, following the Second World War.
⇒ MONGOLS MC: Founded in 1969, this club is present in 15 countries, mainly in France. Its members are of Latino origin, and the club has over 1,500 members worldwide.
⇒ OUTLAWS MC: One of the first motorcycle clubs. Founded in 1935, it has 2,000 members and is present in 15 countries (including France). 🇫🇷
⇒ PAGANS MC: Founded in 1959, this is one of the world’s top 5 clubs. The club is notably present in the United States, and experienced a period of great violence in the 1980s.
⇒ REBELS MC: Founded in Australia in 1969, this club is present in 20 countries. It is one of the most famous clubs not founded in the United States.
⇒ RED DEVILS MC: This is the support club for the Hells Angels and is present all over the world. The Red Devils came to prominence in the 1990s.
⇒ ROAD KNIGHTS MC: Founded in 1979 in New Zealand, this club is present in 3 other countries. It’s a small but very virulent gang, which gave the authorities of the time a hard time.
⇒ ROCK MACHINE MC: Founded in 1986, this club of Canadian origin has long been at war with the Hells Angels, resulting in heavy loss of life… 🩸
⇒ SATANS SLAVES MC: Present in Scotland and Germany, this club of English origin was founded in 1967. Their name simply means “Satan’s slaves”.
⇒ SATUDARAH MC: Present today in over 20 countries, this Dutch club was founded in 1990. It’s the most famous club in the Netherlands, and the locals are really scared of it…
⇒ SONS OF SILENCE MC: Founded in 1966 in the USA, this biker club has had a strong presence in Germany. It is ranked among the 5 most dangerous gangs in history.
⇒ VAGOS MC: This motorcycle club was founded in California in 1965. It then spread to other countries, including France. Harley-Davidsons are present throughout the club’s history.
⇒ WARLOCKS MC: Founded in 1967 in Florida, the club later expanded to Canada, England and Germany. Today, it boasts nearly 1,500 active members. 🤘
Feel free to research these clubs further to learn more about their history, members and activities. However, always remember to respect the laws and not glorify criminal activities. A passion for motorcycles can be shared in a positive and respectful way. Ride safe! 🏍️
We’ve now explored a large number of gangs around the world. However, the list of all the clubs would be far too long to be exhaustive. So we’ve presented the most famous of them in terms of size or impact in the motorcycle world.
Relationships between Outlaw Biker Clubs
Among the big 1% MCs, some have rivalries and fight over territories. Smaller clubs are forced or agree to submit to these big clubs to give them support or benefit from their protection. To this end, small clubs wear a support patch on their vests, indicating their affiliation with the dominant club. Small clubs that resist have their clubs dispersed and are banished from the region. ❌
In Australia and the USA, several MCs have formed coalitions all the way to the top of the state. These coalitions are often made up of near-neutral Motards Clubs that hold meetings behind closed doors. These coalitions work for the common good. Thanks to these coalitions and motorcycle club confederations, rivalries between motorcycle clubs have diminished. These confederations have chosen to have legal representatives and invest more in public relations.
Members of Biker Gangs
A “member” is a biker who is part of a motorcycle club or gang. When he joins a club, he must follow its rules. He has to go through several stages to be admitted, and for some, he has to perform many actions before becoming an official member. Sometimes, he has to convince all the gang members and inspire confidence. Once integrated, the biker must obey the orders of the hierarchy, even if they are illegal. 😵
When new members join the gang, the club becomes their family and they must support each other in all circumstances. When the integrity of the club or a member is threatened, those responsible are punished violently. Gang activities range from drug trafficking to murder, robbery and much more. They cultivate values based on brotherhood and loyalty.
Gang logos and colors 1%
Bikers belonging to the 1% gangs proudly display their colors to show they belong to the group. These colors are commonly called “logos” or “patches”. Let’s take a look at how they’re usually presented and used, using the Hells Angels as an example:
- The club name is usually at the top
- The gang’s logo or emblem in the center
- The location of the section at the bottom
Sometimes distinctive elements are added, such as the “1%” patch or other symbols specific to the biker himself. 🏍
The logo is an essential symbol for MCs, representing the club’s main identity. These patches can sometimes be intimidating to outsiders unfamiliar with their meaning or codes. Skulls or devil symbols are often used by gangs.
For example, the Hells Angels logo is a skull with wings wearing a motorcycle helmet. The Outlaws have “Charlie”, a smiling skull with crossed pistons. The Vagos MC use an image of Loki, the Norse god of mischief and half-brother of Thor, the god of thunder. As for the Pagan, their logo depicts a colorful fire god, invented by one of their founders. However, not all MCs have scary logos. Bandidos and Finks have rather fun and attractive logos.
Events and Slogans
For most of them, the “MC” visible on their jackets stands for “Motorcycle Club”. So, on their jackets, you can also find small badges representing their ideologies. However, the meaning of these badges can be confusing. For example, a patch bearing the number 13 indicates that the biker likes to smoke marijuana, in reference to the letter “M”, the 13th letter of the alphabet, which corresponds to the first letter of Bob Marley’s name. As far as sexuality is concerned, wings of different colors represent the different sexual acts the biker has experienced in his life. 🔞
Colors are of great importance to the identity of 1% biker gangs. Some major clubs such as the Hells Angels, Mongols and Outlaws have even sought to protect their colors through copyright. Take the Mongols, for example. Their logo features the word “Mongols” written in an arc. This shows that it’s a gang trademark. However, in 2009, US prosecutors cancelled their copyright on this logo, which has greatly affected the group’s morale.
CM organization and leadership
The typical organization of a motorcycle club consists of a president, vice-president, treasurer, secretary, road captain and a sergeant-at-arms, often called the enforcer. Groups within a large MC are called “clans”, and the first clan established by a motorcycle club is called the “mother clan”. The president of the mother clan is also the president of the entire MC, and has the sole power to set club policy. Well-known motorcycle clubs often acquire real estate and use it as a clubhouse. 🏢
Join the 1% too
Whether independent or members of a coalition, there are hundreds of motorcycle clubs in France. Even if these clubs have different practices from one another, the love of motorcycling and motorcycle rides is widespread, even in France. Fortunately, this is not accompanied by the criminal activities associated with gangs. You’ve now discovered in detail what the term “1% Club” means through this article, and there’s nothing left to hide about it. Well done! 🤜 🤛 🔥THE MOST POPULAR PRODUCTS🔥
