Unwritten Rules

Motorcycle club culture and most Motorcycle Clubs themselves, have a host of unwritten rules. These are the rules that aren’t formal, they aren’t written down in Club bylaws but they are accepted as de facto law in a Club or within the culture itself.

For example, most of us have heard the phrase “Don’t bro me if you don’t know me.” Never ever walk up to another biker and start calling them bro or brother unless you know them really well and you’ve earned the right to call them brother. In some places bro and brother are interchangeable and you don’t use either one. In other areas you might see bro used a bit more loosely for casual acquantances, but no one in the MC community will call another man brother unless they’ve earned it. Calling someone brother when they aren’t is a good way to get really called out publically. If you’re lucky the person might be willing to educate you – but most of the time you’re gonna get an ass-chewing.

Here is another one, never touch another person’s bike without permission. I’ve seen this one result in some pretty severe beatings. If you accidentally touch someones bike, just look them in the eye and apologize – no harm no foul. But don’t go around manhandling other peoples rides. You’ll get a beat down almost as quick as if you’d touched their ol’ lady. Also, while we are at it, don’t go around asking people to ride their bikes. You look and sound like a douche.

Never park your bike right next to a club members bikes unless you have no choice. Even then, ask first, and leave what room you can. Also, never park so close to someone that they can’t stand the bike up and ride out safely.

Don’t pass another biker that’s broken down on the side of the road. Stop and see if you can help. Don’t roll right up on them either, pass them, pull over where they can see you, slowly walk back and offer to help. They may wave you on, but you might be able to help also.

Learn some of the common hand signals. But one of the most important is warning other riders you pass about police. It’s just common courtesy.

When you come up to a stop light or stop sign or other traffic stop, and their is another biker in front of you, do not pull up next to them. Stop a little behind them. If they wave you forward, you’re okay to pull up next to them. Say hello and thanks. If they don’t notice you, don’t acknowledge you, or don’t wave you forward, just wait behind them. And then don’t take off and pass them in the same lane, that shits rude.

One of our Club’s unwritten rules is no religion. But wait, aren’t you a Jewish Club, how can you say no religion? We are not a religious club. We don’t want any issues between observant and non-observant Jews (most of the founders are humanist/atheist Jews, pagans, and Christians). Religion can be divisive and we don’t want that. So on runs, at Club events or when in Club colors our rule is no religion. We generally avoid politics also. It’s an unwritten rule so it’s not enforced, brothers can talk about whatever they want – but it’s generally agreed upon and so avoided.

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