| Bikers are fans (amateurs) and admirers of motorcycles. Unlike motorcyclists, motor cycle is part of the lifestyle of bikers. The association with like-minded persons on the base of this lifestyle is a characteristic of bikers.
Bikers also call themselves admirers of bicycles and call motorcyclists as motor-bikers. Nevertheless, the word "biker" traditionally is associated with motor-bikers.
The biker movement started in the USA and penetrated into Europe and at some point of time, became part of the subculture when bikers were divided into several aggressive and conflicting groups. The most popular known group is Hells Angels (“Angels of the Hell”).
External appearance of bikers:
The stereotype appearance of the biker: head band (dark shaded head scarf, tied in a pirate manner at the back of head) or a knitted cap, "leather jacket " (leather jacket with zip locks at an angle) or a leather motor-jacket (often jeans or a leather vest without sleeves with "flowers" (symbolic) of the motor club are worn over the leather jacket), and leather trousers. Bikers often grow long hair, moustaches and beards and wear glasses for the protection of the eyes against wind and quite often ignore helmets.
Leather clothing is usually used in cold regions. In warm countries, bikers prefer to be in jeans.
Nevertheless, such an appearance is not always mandatory amongst bikers. The biker can wear sports motoring clothes and outfits.
Symbolism of bikers:
Most often used symbolisms:
* Confederation flag. Tradition to use the confederation flag was started by the American bikers. Its modern significance is ambiguous: on one hand, it symbolizes the non-conformism of bikers, with another; it can be a symbol of racism. It is necessary to remark that not all the representatives of the biker movements have an opinion about the historical significance of the symbol or do not give any importance in using the Confederation flag only as sign of the participation in the biker movement.
* Skull picture: This usually symbolizes the fearlessness of the biker towards danger and death. The other sense of using the skull symbol by bikers is the protection against death. There exists a popular belief that when the Death comes, it leaves its skull symbol on the dead and if the skull is already present, and then Death assumes that it has already been to him and hence, does not touch the person.
* The emblem (the “Flower” is usually called the emblem of bikers) of the club, stitched on the back (often it was stitched on leather or jeans vests, which were put on top of the jacket and the emblem can also be stitched on the jacket), which indicates the bike club to which the biker belongs. The name of the biker-club (on upper rocker), country or city in which the biker-club is organized (lower rocker), the logo of the club (central part) and status of the biker-club, (the “MC” sign is widespread), which certifies the category of club (the abbreviation from the English word “Motorcycle Club”) are indicated on the emblem of the club. Also, some clubs make special stripes on the sleeves of the jacket or on the breast of the vest (on the left side), where the status or designation (President, Secretary, Accountant, Aspirant, Prospect, Member etc) of the biker in the club and name of the club are mentioned.
The motorcycles of bikers:
Motorcycles, made by themselves and luxurious, rich fantasy, are the most admired by the bikers. Most often, the chopper class or custom class. Some clubs lay down certain requirements to cubic capacity (for example, no less than 750 cm3), and to the color or make of the motorcycle.
Major motor clubs:
The formation of clubs is characteristic of bikers. Despite of the sufficiently popular stereotype, such associations, at present, in the overwhelming majority of cases, are peaceful in nature. |
If you think frogs can't be trained, look at Oui the frog from Thailand who loves to play with human toys and even poses as a biker for paparazzi.
