Biker Patches

The skull and crossbones biker patch is worn by many outlaw clubs and gangs. This patch has many variants and there are many ways to interpret it.

Death

One way to interpret the patch is it represents a biker who has physically fought or killed someone. It can also mean the biker has fought and killed someone on behalf of a friend or fellow club members. The patch is also worn by bikers who have caused death in other ways.

Respect Few, Fear None

This club patch is sometimes accompanied by the motto “Respect Few, Fear None”. There are many ways to interpret this saying. Some experts think it indicates the biker must respect only the club rules and its members.

The “fear none” part is self explanatory. The biker shows they are not afraid of anything or anyone. “Respect Few, Fear None” also expresses the biker’s declaration of independence from the rules and conventions imposed by culture and society.

Killing in the Name of the Club

Some researchers believe the patch is given to club members who are asked to perform violent and criminal acts upon club orders. Other patches have the same meaning (i.e., given to club members who commit criminal acts).

They include the 13 patch. The 13 patch stands for the letter M, meaning “marijuana” or “methamphetamine”. This means the biker is using drugs, selling drugs or both.

The Ace of Spades usually means the biker will defend themselves to the death. But if there is a skull and crossbones included, it can mean the biker is the “Bringer of Death”.

The I.T.C.O.B. patch means “I Took Care of Business”. Business usually means committing murder or another type of criminal act upon orders of the club. This makes it similar in meaning to the skull and crossbones biker patch. Another patch given to bikers who commit crimes on behalf of the outlaw club is the M.O.M or Men of Mayhem.

Criminal Outlaw Biker Gangs

According to the US Justice Department, outlaw motorcycle clubs and gangs use their organization as a front for their criminal activities. The FBI states that outlaw biker gangs are involved in extortion, drug dealing and murder.

The biker gang disputes over territories stems from arguing who controls the sell of illegal drugs there. The FBI states outlaw biker clubs make a billion dollars a year.

Non Outlaw Groups

There are also non-outlaw groups that wear patches with skulls and crossbones. However, these bikers do not adhere to the outlaw biker club culture. They simply wear patches with the skulls and crossbones because they are attracted to its reputation.

Indeed there are many Internet sites that sell patches with skulls and crossbones. These sites are not associated with outlaw groups. They simply incorporate the design because it is what their customers like.

The skull and crossbones biker patch is used by many clubs, and is associated with violence and crime. However the design is also popular among non outlaw bikers. For this reason, it has become difficult to tell if the biker wearing the patch is an outlaw or not.