Skip to main content
Log in

One percent bikers clubs: A description

  • Research Note
  • Published:
Trends in Organized Crime Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This paper, through an extensive literature review of biker websites, newspaper articles, popular books, the limited scholarly research, and court cases, as well as interviews and associations with law enforcement officers and 1% bikers, identifies and describes the major 1% biker clubs. The Big 5 clubs—Hell’s Angels, Bandidos, Outlaws, Pagans, and Sons of Silence— are discussed. Their history, number of chapters in the United States and overseas, and a “best guess estimate” of membership numbers are also provided. Similar information is provided on the major independent 1% biker clubs—Warlocks, Mongols and Iron Horsemen. There is also a brief discussion of the role of puppet (support) clubs and the four black or interracial 1% biker clubs. This research, describing the clubs, is the first step needed to stimulate research on this under researched topic.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Abbott, K. (1999). “Dozens Held in Biker Gang Inquiry 42 Indicted in Undercover Investigation; Many Appear in Court after Three-State Roundup,” Rocky Mountain News, October 9.

  • Alain, M. (1995). “The Rise and Fall of Motorcycle Gangs in Quebec,” Federal Probation 59(2).

  • Albanese, J.S. (2004). Organized Crime in Our Times. 4th.ed. Cincinnati, Ohio: Anderson Publishing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Barker, T. (2004). “Exporting American Organized Crime-Outlaw Motorcycle Gang,” Journal of Gang Research 11(2): 37–50.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bowie, B. (1994). Born to be Wild, New York: Warner Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bragg, M. (2005). “Sons of Silence New Years Bash.” http://www.bikernet.com/events/ PageViewer.asp?PagelID=370.

  • Criminal Intelligence Service Canada. (2004). Organized Crime in Canada: Annual Report.

  • Foster, D. (1999). “Actions Speak Volumes for Sons of Silence Arrests for Guns, Drugs Thwart Biker Gang’s Attempt at New Image,” Denver Rocky Mountain News, October 18.

  • Gibbons, T.J. and Anastasis, G. (2005). “Cycle Club Member Shot Dead in Philadelphia,” Philadelphia Inquirer, January 15.

  • Haut, F. (1999). “Organized Crime on Two Wheels: Motorcycle Gangs,” ICPR, 414-A15.

  • Jenkins, P. (1992). “The Speed Capital of the World: Organizing the Methamphetamine Industry in Philadelphia,” Criminal Justice Policy Review 6(1): 18–39.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kessler, R.E. (2002). “Feds: Pagans to Take Plea Deal/Nearly All of 73 Bikers to Face Prison for Brawl,” Newsday.

  • Kilzer, L. (2001). “Biker Club on Denver Doorstop Hells Angels Form Chapter,” Rocky Mountain News, June 30.

  • Lavigne, Y. (1987). Hell’s Angels: Taking Care of Business, Toronto: Ballantine Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levingston, T.G., Zimmerman K., and Zimmerman K. (2003). Soul on Bikes: The East Bay Dragons MC and the Black Biker Se, St. Paul, MN: MBI Publishing Co.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lyon, D. (2003). The Bikerider, San Francisco: Chronicle Books.

    Google Scholar 

  • McKee, M. (2001). “On the Side of Angels,” Legal Business (http://web.lexisnexus.com.library.eku.edu/universe/document?)

  • Pennsylvania Crime Commission. (1980). A Decade of Organized Crime, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

  • Queen, W. (2005). Under and Alone, New York, Random House.

    Google Scholar 

  • Quinn, J. and Koch, S.D. (2003). “The Nature of Criminality within One-Percent Motorcycle Clubs,” Deviant Behavior 24: 281–305.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Southeastern Gang Activities Group. (2000). Pagans Motorcycle Club http://www.segag.org/mcgangs/ pagan.html.

  • State of New Jersey: Commission of Investigation. (May 2004). The Changing Face of Organized Crime in New Jersey—A Status Report, Trenton, New Jersey.

  • Veno, A. (2003). The Brother Hoods: Inside the Outlaw Motorcycle Clubs, Crows Nest, NSW: Allen & Unwin.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolf, D.R. (1999). The Rebels: A Brotherhood of Outlaw Bikers, Toronto: University ofToronto Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zito, C. and Layden, J. (2002). Street Justice, New York: St. Martin Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Barker, T. One percent bikers clubs: A description. Trends Organ Crim 9, 101–112 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-005-1005-0

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12117-005-1005-0

Keywords

Navigation