Most motorcycle clubs are made up of perfectly peaceful and law-abiding citizens (Hans Christiansson /Shutterstock.com)
Most people’s idea of a motorcycle club is a group of outlaws roaming the country on their tricked out bikes and causing trouble. But in reality, most motorcycle clubs are made up of men and women who simply enjoy riding their bikes - and some are even explicitly dedicated to making the lives of the people in their community better. These are some of the most impressive examples of tough guys on bikes doing good.
1. THE PUNISHERS
When “The Punishers,” an Albuquerque-based motorcycle club made up of army veterans and former law enforcement officers, heard of a little girl who was being bullied on her way home from school because of her disabilities, they knew they had to help. The Punishers rode to the girl’s house to say "hi," in an attempt to make her feel more empowered and let her know that she could always count on the group. The president of the Albuquerque chapter of the club, a nurse during the day, said "we told her that we are always there for her no matter what."
2. BIKERS AGAINST CHILD ABUSE
Bikers Against Child Abuse stands out among the thousands of motorcycle clubs worldwide for its amazing deeds. Founded in the 1990s by a licensed clinical social worker known as “Chief,” B.A.C.A has a special mission: to help formerly abused children feel safe and unafraid of the world. Two decades later, the group offers protection to any abused child who feels they need it, and oftentimes goes as far as to spend the night to make the children feel safe. Children are also given the names and numbers of two B.A.C.A. members, whom they can call at anytime. The club’s members undergo a two-year process that includes an FBI background check and a meeting with licensed mental health professionals to learn tactics for interacting with and supporting abused children.
3. BUFFALO SOLDIERS MOTORCYCLE CLUB
The Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club is an African-American biker club that exists "to promote a positive image that would be respected in the community and throughout the country.” The name pays tribute to the historic legacy African-American cavalrymen who served with the U.S. Army on the Western frontier in the post-Civil War era and the club says its members believe they are role models who are responsible for contributing to the community. Different chapters of the club often times help build homes for poor families as part of a Habitat for Humanity project, treat children from low income communities to picnics, or run a senior Santa program where they deliver gifts to seniors at Christmas time.
4. MEDIAN EMPIRE
The Median Empire Motorcycle Club is almost entirely made up of men of Kurdish descent living in Germany. In 2014, when they heard about the plight of Syrian refugees in northern Iraq, they knew something had to be done. “It’s our families, it’s our brothers and sisters,” Fat Joe, the Median Empire’s Sergeant at Arms told Vice News. “We’re here in a better place so we try to give them a better situation, because we know the feelings, what they’re feeling right now.” The Median Empire members got together and went to Iraq to provide medical care to the camps - and even brought a number of local doctors with them. They also raised funds to pay for teachers, and even decided to sponsor two young girls who were orphaned after their lost their parents. “It had a big effect on us. We can help as much as we can, but it’s still not enough,” Fat Joe said.
