Outlaw motorcycle clubs (OMCs) are the elite social class of the motorcycle community. They see themselves as the most committed to the lifestyle of ‘the biker’. They also see themselves as lying outside of the mainstream motorcycle community and society at large, and enjoy provoking shock and rage from the majority and consequently conflicting with them through violence and other forms of crime.

OMCs live in a parallel social world. The club itself and fellow members are the primary concern of members, whilst their job and family hold a position like a hobby; important only when there is sufficient time and focus once club business is fulfilled. OMC members’ rejection of society is intentional as they have created a fantasy world of social interaction with their own rules, territory and culture. Within this world are distinct groups – the individual clubs, built off a single model but otherwise interacting with other participants in this ‘game’ (see Lauchs et al, 2015).

Men do not accidentally or naively become bikers. Full membership is preceded by a ‘hang around’ phase, in which they are allowed to socialize and ride with members, and a formal ‘prospect’ period of months or years in which they are effectively subordinate members. Members must follow orders of officeholders, keep club business secret, actively participate in rides and socialize with their fellow members (see Schmid, 2021).

OMC culture has proved very popular with men from around the globe with the number of OMCs growing in every continent to well over 4,000 active clubs worldwide. Alongside the growth of clubs is a competition for domination of areas by the large international clubs: Hells Angels; Bandidos; Outlaws; Rebels; Gremium; No Name; and Mongols. This interplay between the ‘imperialists’ and local clubs is referred to as the ‘politics’ of the OMC world. Political conflict can occur over territory in any part of the world.

There are two types of clubs that interact with rural communities. Clubs with between five and 20 members tend to be in smaller communities, where they can feasibly afford a clubhouse. Whilst still OMCs, they focus on the lifestyle and avoid serious criminal activity and OMC politics.