Biker Patches

An independent biker club patch can be of any design, and indeed many of these clubs use various types of patches derived from other groups. Before you decide to make an independent club and patch, there are several things you need to consider, starting with the definition.

Definition

The term independent is used by these clubs to show they are not affiliated to any other organization or association. For example, you and your friends could form a motorcycle group and not be associated with any other motorcycle association.

Lone Wolf

However the word independent is also used to refer to bikers who do not belong to any group at all. To avoid confusion the term Lone Wolf is applied to these bikers.

Outlaw Clubs

These are motorcycle clubs not governed by the AMA (American Motorcyclist Association). These clubs have their own bylaws and live according to their own set of rules and the outlaw biker culture.

They are known for not conforming to modern culture and society. According to the US Justice Department, some of these groups are engaged in criminal activity.

Before You Design a Patch

All motorcycle clubs have a patch to identify their group. This patch is also used by bikers to express their feelings, achievements and role in the club. Before you make your own independent biker club patch, get in touch with the biker clubs in your area. Do not copy their patch; that is a sign of disrespect and could get you into trouble.

Even if you don’t copy their design, you may unintentionally create a patch that looks like theirs. To be sure, show them your intended patch and get their approval.

Outlaw Biker Patches

The following are some of the patches used by outlaw motorcycle gangs.

1%: this patch is worn by bikers to signify their membership in an outlaw club or adherence to the outlaw biker culture.

13: this can have different meanings. The most common interpretation is the patch stands for M, the 13th letter of the alphabet. The M itself stands for marijuana, indicating the biker is into drugs.

Ace of Spades: a patch that signifies the rider brings death or has caused it already.

I.T.C.O.B.: this stands for “I Took Care of Business”; business usually means killing someone to serve the interest of the club.

Men of Mayhem: this means the same thing as I.T.C.O.B.

Skull & Crossbones: this means the biker has killed someone.

If you are going to incorporate parts of the symbol in your patch, that is all right. But using the patch without any other accompanying design could get you into trouble. For example, using the 13 patch may mislead authorities into thinking you are an outlaw or engaged in criminal activity.

Worse, the outlaw gang will think you are passing yourself of as a member; this could mean serious trouble.

If you are going to make an independent biker club patch, you must be aware of these facts. This will ensure you avoid problems with other clubs.