In attempting to even roughly put into writing the unwritten laws of the 1-%-Biker-scene, each of us should first understand that what is being formulated here is not “normal” association law.
Since these “laws” —the Rules of the MC-World — are never put on paper within the individual MCs — if only to avoid providing investigative authorities with additional evidence 🙂 — they exist solely through oral tradition…
and, depending on the club, the sometimes merciless training of generations of prospects on their path to becoming full members.
Of course, there are differences in the rules of each individual “real” club — but if you break the Rules down to their essence, this unwritten code of the biker scene can be divided into seven fundamental pillars:
Pillar 1 – the law of total loyalty –
(The Club comes First)
This law represents a radical break with the values of “normal” middle-class society, as it demands complete submission to the MC — the club as a whole — from every individual.
A member’s priority hierarchy:
The priorities of a 1%-er are strictly defined.
First comes the club, second comes the club, third comes the club.
Only far behind do one’s own career, wife, children, and family of origin come.
The “order of the day” in a member’s everyday life:
When the club calls (whether for an emergency meeting, a run, or a protective measure for whatever reason), all personal plans must be put on hold immediately.
Anyone who uses their child’s birthday or a work commitment as an excuse to avoid a club order is considered unreliable and undermines the foundation of the brotherhood.
Unconditional support for a brother:
A brother covers for a brother—always and everywhere, without asking questions.
If a member gets into a fight at night, the other brother throws himself into the fray without hesitation, even if his own brother was in the wrong or provoked the altercation.
The moral assessment of the act never takes place in front of outsiders, but exclusively internally behind the closed doors of the club.
Pillar 2 – the law of absolute secrecy –
(Omertà – the code of silence)
The very existence of the entire “biker” culture is based on the fact that information never leaves the club.
Anyone who breaks this law commits the only crime for which there is absolutely no
forgiveness in an MC!
The Club Secret:
Whatever is discussed, decided, or even argued behind closed doors during meetings does not exist outside that room.
It must not be discussed with supporters, wives, or girlfriends.
The absolute silence before the law:
The principle of total refusal to testify applies to representatives of the State of Law Enforcement (Police, Justice, Customs).
A member makes no statements — neither about himself, nor about his brothers, nor about the club’s activities.
Even as a victim of an attack by a rival club or a confrontation with other “organizations,” the MC handles retaliation internally and never cooperates with the state justice system.
The definition of rat:
Anyone who cooperates with the police, becomes a witness or a key witness, or sells club secrets to outsiders instantly loses every shred of human dignity and, with it, their right to exist.
They are declared a “rat,” which leads to immediate expulsion under the harshest “bad standing,” the loss of all property, and worldwide physical persecution by the brotherhood.
Pillar 3 – the law of unconditional respect –
(Love & Respect)
Since the biker scene brings together many dominant men — some of whom are driven by more than just testosterone — in a confined space, strict adherence to respect is the most important safeguard against the external and internal disintegration of motorcycle clubs.
Protecting a Member’s Honor:
A member’s honor is his most valuable asset, and this includes his patches.
Any form of public disrespect, mockery, or insult among brothers is a serious offense. Criticism must be expressed objectively, directly, and exclusively in private or during a meeting.
The Prohibition of Internal Violence in the Club:
Physical disputes between full-members are strictly prohibited within the clubhouse or in public.
Anyone who loses control and raises a hand against a brother breaks the law of respect and will be punished by the Sergeant-at-Arms on behalf of the community.
The sanctity of a member’s family:
The wives, friends and children of the brothers are absolutely untouchable for all other members.
The unwritten law prohibits any inappropriate approach or flirtation with a brother’s wife.
Anyone who breaks this taboo destroys the trust of the whole Brotherhood in the most sensitive place and is immediately and dishonorably expelled from the club.
Pillar 4 – the right of the Colors –
(The Colors are Holy)
The vest (the Colors) is not simply a piece of clothing.
It is the visual manifestation of the club’s soul, a sacred object of rights.
The Right of Ownership:
No biker owns his patches (the patches on the vest).
They remain one hundred percent the inalienable property of the World Club.
The member merely earns the right to wear them as long as he proves himself worthy of the club.
The Law of the Inviolability of the Patches:
The vest must never fall into the hands of civilians or rival clubs.
If a biker is attacked, he defends his jacket with his very life.
It must never be taken off or lost in a fight.
The theft of a jacket by an enemy is the ultimate disgrace for the entire chapter.
The strict etiquette regarding the patches:
The jacket is never washed and is treated with deep respect.
It must never be carelessly thrown on the ground or tossed onto the back seat of a car. When a member leaves the club in good standing, he returns the patches to the president clean and undamaged.
Pillar 5 – the law of the territory –
(One Club, One Territory)
A One-Percenter MC claims absolute and exclusive sovereignty
over its geographic territory.
The monopoly of Colors:
In the city or region that an MC has declared as its territory (usually indicated by the place name on the bottom rocker of the jacket), the club does not tolerate any other 1% clubs.
Any opening of a clubhouse by a rival club within its own territory without the express permission of the current president is a direct declaration of war.
Control of the supporters:
Smaller, local motorcycle enthusiasts or insignificant clubs in the region must be presented at the ruling 1% MC to express their respect.
They are given permission to exist, often only if they commit to financially and logistically support the large club and accept its supremacy.
Pillar 6 – the law of the strict hierarchy –
(Obedience to the the Officers)
An MC is not a democracy in which endless debate is being held.
It is a paramilitary system with a crystal clear chain of command.
The obedience to the board:
The elected officers (President, Vice President, Sergeant-at-Arms, Secretary, Treasurer, Road Captain) lead the chapter with absolute authority.
An order from the President or the Security Chief while on club duty is not questioned, not discussed, and not delayed. It is carried out.
Voting rights in the club:
Discussions and free expression of opinions take place exclusively during the weekly meeting. Here, every full member has one vote, and debates can be heated.
However, once the assembly has reached a decision by vote, it is binding on all members. Any public questioning of this decision is considered mutiny.
The “slave status” of the candidate:
Prospects and hangarounds have absolutely no rights, no voice and no dignity in the sense and mandate of the club.
They carry out the commands of each fullmember blindly and without grumbling.
Anyone who shows pride as a prospect, whines or refuses to work proves that he is unfit for the club’s iron discipline, and is excluded.
Pillar 7 – the law of irrefutable departure –
(In or Out)
Entry into a 1% MC is a pact, i.e. a covenant for life.
The withdrawal is legally and psychologically strictly regulated.
The legacy of the tattoos:
A biker who leaves the club (whether in good or evil) immediately loses the right to wear the club’s symbols, lettering or abbreviations on his body.
The removal requirement of tattoos of a former member:
In the event of withdrawal, all club tattoos must be removed immediately, completely covered with black ink (a cover-up), or marked with the word “Out” and the date of withdrawal.
If this is not done voluntarily within a short period of time, the Sergeant-at-Arms, together with the members, will carry out this removal at the clubhouse using physical force against the member in bad standing.
The permanent quarantine of bad standing — the “erasing or blacking out”:
Anyone expelled from the club in bad standing is erased from the collective memory.
For the brothers, that person simply no longer exists.
Any contact, conversation, or financial support provided by an active member to an ex-member in “Bad Standing” is considered treason and results in draconian punishments!
The Conclusion of This Unwritten Law of the Biker Scene
These seven pillars form the iron skeleton,
that biker culture has been holding together worldwide since the 1940s.
It is a highly effective but also ruthless underground legal system that demands the total self-sacrifice of the individual.
In return, however, it rewards them with the boundless and brutal power of the pack!
Love and Respect – Schaefla