The Bikers Code: Unwritten Rules Most Bikers Follow

 

People often wonder what it means to be a biker. Is it just a matter of owning and riding a motorcycle? No. Millions of people ride motorcycles, but they’re not truly bikers. On the other hand, some people who don’t own a motorcycle but live their lives by certain rules and ethics could fit in well with the biker community.

 

Could it be more about the way a person dresses? No, that’s not really it, either. Most bikers wear leather, but that’s more for protection against wind and the road than a fashion statement. Though wearing leather may be one small piece of the puzzle, it’s definitely not the whole picture.

 

Is it a state of mind, then? That definitely has a lot to do with it. True bikers don’t need a reason to ride. They do it because it’s in their blood. They have an innate love of riding and an appreciation for freedom. They’re not preoccupied with fitting in, and they’re not concerned about what other people think of them. Still, that’s not the whole story.

 

The Biker’s Code

 

Deciding to buy a motorcycle and riding it as much as humanly possible are part of being a biker. Dressing a certain way and being in a specific state of mind are elements of being a genuine biker as well. There’s also another factor at work here, though. It’s the Bikers Code, an unwritten list of rules most bikers follow. It’s all about ethics, loyalty, character, and respect for not only brothers and sisters in the biker community but anyone who has earned it.

 

As mentioned, these rules aren’t written down in any ledgers or stored in some dark, dusty, spiderweb-covered archive. We don’t need a list of them for reference. They’re part of who we are.

 

No One Left Behind

 

First of all, according to the Bikers Code, no one gets left behind. If you ride as a group or even in pairs, you keep an eye out for your fellow riders. If someone in your group gets cut off by cagers, you pull over or drop back in traffic until you’re back in formation.

 

In the event someone in your group breaks down and has to stop, the rest of you stop too. You share tools, knowledge, experience, elbow grease, and any other resources on hand to get the bike fixed. Once the broken-down bike is back up and running, everyone can carry on. Never leave someone in the lurch just because their bike malfunctions and everyone else wants to keep riding.

 

What if the broken-down bike can’t be fixed? You still shouldn’t leave a fellow biker stranded and alone. The only acceptable reason for leaving is if you’re going back home to get your truck and trailer to tow the broken bike back to its owner’s house or a shop.

 

On that same note, if someone in your group goes down, everyone else stops to help. Do what you can to stop traffic or at least direct it around the accident. Call 911 if necessary. Don’t move someone who’s severely injured, but help get anyone who’s still mobile off the road rather than leaving them lying in traffic. Help push the wrecked bike out of the road so no one runs over it.

 

What If a Biker Who’s Not Part of Your Group Is in Trouble?

 

Per the unwritten, and often unspoken, Bikers Code, those same principles apply even to bikers who aren’t part of your group. If a brother or sister needs help, you provide it. You do anything you can to make the situation better whether it’s repairing a bike, calling roadside assistance, or holding a fellow biker’s hand until an ambulance arrives. It’s just the right thing to do.

 

Many true bikers carry this even further. If they see anyone on the side of the road who needs help, they stop to lend a hand. There’s no harm in showing courtesy to a family with small children or an elderly couple who’s having car trouble. The Bikers Code includes helping fellow bikers, but it doesn’t leave out people in four-wheelers.

 

Equality and Loyalty

 

Equality and loyalty are also part of the Bikers Code. In the biker community, everyone is equal. That’s true regardless of age, gender, financial status, social standing, race, or profession. It doesn’t matter what type of motorcycle a person rides or what brand of leathers he or she wears. We’re all the same, and we all deserve the same respect.

 

When living by the Bikers Code, people respect their brothers and sisters no matter what their personal beliefs may be. They don’t judge or try to change anyone. You are who you are, and that’s perfectly fine.

 

That being said, real bikers who honor the Code don’t change their own principles and beliefs to match others’, either. As mentioned, being a true biker isn’t about fitting into society or worrying about other people’s opinions. It’s about staying true to who you are and refusing to compromise.

 

What If You Don’t Share Someone Else’s Beliefs?

 

You may not agree with some brothers’ or sisters’ lifestyles or lines of reasoning. That’s okay. You don’t have to share their beliefs. Don’t argue with them or try to sway them. Just accept and respect them.

 

Violence Isn’t Always the Answer

 

Thanks to the media, there’s a widespread misconception that bikers are short-tempered and quick to start (or jump into) a fight. That’s not true. By the Bikers Code, fighting isn’t always the solution to every problem.

 

True bikers who live by the Code look for peaceful resolutions, and they prefer to avoid conflict when possible. If someone else is fighting, they may even try to break it up and ease the tension. Should someone direct a disparaging comment toward a biker or take other measures to start a fight, someone who lives by the Code will generally ignore it. Disrespectful comments and other forms of rudeness roll off of them like water off of a duck’s back.

 

Is Violence Ever the Answer?

 

Of course, we all know that not all fights can be avoided. Sometimes, there’s no other option than to hold your own by any means necessary. The Bikers Code says nothing of letting someone beat the tar out of you without defending yourself. If someone who can’t defend themselves is in trouble, don’t hesitate to step in on their behalf.

 

Extending the Wave

 

On a lighter note, the Bikers Code includes “the wave”. You know the one: two fingers, much like a peace sign, held out to the side. Some hold the wave low while others keep it at a 90-degree angle. Some bikers keep their palms open whereas others curl in all fingers except for the two directly associated with the wave. It may even be accompanied by a slight nod.

 

Although the wave comes in different forms, it always holds the same meaning. It’s a friendly greeting, an acknowledgment, and a sign of respect to other bikers. With the Code in mind, many bikers even extend the wave to those on two wheels even when they’re driving their passenger vehicles. Wave to your fellow bikers. Don’t simply turn up your nose and ignore them.

 

Are There Exceptions?

 

Every rule has exceptions, even deep-seated, unwritten ones. It’s perfectly acceptable to forgo the wave if letting go of the handlebars would put you or other people on the road in danger. You don’t need to put yourself at risk of crashing to wave at another biker. Under circumstances like those, bikers who don’t receive the wave from you will understand.

 

Always Show Respect to Others (as Long as They’re Worthy of It)

 

Overall, the Bikers Code revolves around respect. That includes respect for members of the biker community and those on the outside. Self-respect enters the mix as well. Chances are if you adhere to the Bikers Code, you’ll naturally maintain a strong sense of self-respect.

 

Living by the Bikers Code doesn’t mean shoving people out of the way to get to the front of the line at a restaurant or store just because you showed up in leather on two wheels. It doesn’t involve running four-wheelers off the road because they do the same to you. It doesn’t entail splitting lanes and zipping through moving traffic simply because you can.

 

In contrast, the Code does include following the rules of the road and respecting other motorists, even if they’re on more than two wheels. It embraces cleaning up after yourself and preserving the beauty of nature for future generations. It encourages letting people go ahead of you in a long line if they’re loaded down and clearly weary. It involves giving up your seat to someone who needs it.

 

What If Someone Doesn’t Deserve Respect?

 

Not everyone deserves respect. Some people seem to go out of their way to prove they’re not worthy of it. By the Bikers Code, you don’t have to show those people the same respect you would others. That doesn’t mean you should outwardly disrespect them, though. Just keep your distance and ignore them.

 

Living Life By the Bikers Code

 

This is a very general rundown of the Bikers Code. Several smaller details fall under each of these principles. For the most part, living by the Code is a matter of being respectful, helping others when you can, and trying to keep the peace. It’s about staying true to yourself and being loyal to your fellow bikers. Don’t make promises you don’t intend to keep, and always keep the promises you make.

 

Following the Biker Code takes integrity. Use common sense in every situation. Let your conscience be your guide. It’ll tell you the right thing to do if you just listen to it. Always remember that we’re all just trying to live our lives. We may not agree with how other people go about it, but in the end, we’re only accountable for ourselves and our own actions.