40 Strange Rules That Bikers Make Their Wives And Girlfriends Follow

The first thing to get straight is that no woman can ever be an actual member of an outlaw motorcycle gang. That privilege is reserved exclusively for biker men. So, while ladies are welcome to hang around with the dudes, they can never claim to be part of any of the clubs.

While a woman can never officially join a biker gang, that doesn’t mean she won’t be busy. Catherine Martin, who was once married to a member of the Bandidos Motorcycle Club, told Quora that “wives or girlfriends of these men still spend a great deal of time around club members doing club stuff.”

Martin also laid out how the bikers’ women are always going to be considered “second-class citizens.” So, if their guy tells them to sit outside in the rain, they have to sit outside in the rain. To do anything else could apparently bring shame and embarrassment on their ol’ man.

As the popular saying goes, “Snitches get stitches.” And that rule extends to the bikers and their women. So if a “Proud Bandido Old Lady” — or PBOL — hears the cops are sniffing around, they’ll know not to say anything about anyone to anyone. What goes on at the club stays at the club.

But there are some benefits to being associated with a biker gang. Why else would anyone want to join one? Besides supporting a man they love in their passion, a biker chick also gets the by-association thrill of inspiring terror and awe in regular people. “Both reactions are equally acceptable,” Martin said.

They always go on about “family” in those Fast & Furious movies, and it’s kind of the same for bikers. The idea is that your biker buddies are your nearest and dearest, and you need to drop everything if one of them ever needs you. This is just as true for the ladies as it is for the guys.

One unwritten rule is that women who live the biker lifestyle need to have strong stomachs. These gangs are ruled over by tough men running on pure testosterone, after all. There’s no democracy or policing or anything that governs a normal world. It’s a ruthless lifestyle — for everyone involved.

As their man rises through the ranks of the club, a biker woman should expect most of their spare time and money to be spent on gang stuff. Those Harley-Davidsons don’t pay for themselves! And then there are the clothes, the bike maintenance, and just being at the club as part of the crew. It all adds up.

Former PBOL Martin referred to us everyday joes as “citizens.” And as a rule of thumb, biker women will have little time for citizens. Even if they were close to other folks in their previous life, an ol’ lady should not be sacrificing time spent with the club on regular people. There are simply not enough hours in the day to keep those friendships up.

“Women must be outwardly submissive,” Martin wrote on Quora. This may seem obvious in the man’s world of biker gangs, but it’s Martin’s use of “outwardly” that’s interesting. She seems to be suggesting that while a woman must appear submissive to the guys, she should still retain her own sense of self.

Part of giving yourself over to a man’s world — according to the unwritten outlaw biker code — is turning the other cheek to sexism. “Strip clubs and dive bars were common watering holes,” Martin said on Quora. So that’s one thing that women who choose to around biker gangs just have to put up with.

Because biker dudes rule the roost, the women in their lives must be able to bond with one another — at least a little. These wives and girlfriends are putting up with the same stuff, after all, so it makes sense that they form connections. It’s probably their best chance of keeping themselves going.

Women should never publicly show a lack of respect to any patch holder, according to Martin. And it doesn’t matter whether that biker — an official member of a motorcycle club — is their old man or only a friend. That’s just something they have to abide by.

A biker woman shouldn’t know the inner workings of a motorcycle club… but she’ll probably know enough to understand what’s what. That means she’s in a good position to be the “eyes and ears for the club,” as Martin puts it. That way, if an ol’ lady can spot the heat around the corner, she can warn her man’s crew.

And biker women should really understand what they’re letting themselves in for. That means making peace with the fact that their lifestyle could be taken away from them at the drop of a hat. Yep, if the club — or even their man — decides they’re no longer welcome, their world as they know it disappears.

A woman may not be able to be a fully-fledged member of a motorcycle gang, but she still has her own special power. Specifically, she can subtly direct her biker in one direction or another on issues within the club. The guy will get the kudos for solving any problems, of course, but the woman behind the scenes can still know that she’s played her part.

Posting under the Reddit name FormerOldLady, one ex-biker woman revealed how she was kept in the dark both publicly and privately. So, any prospective biker wife shouldn’t expect her guy to talk shop in front of her. She probably won’t get any goss behind closed doors, either.

This one may come as a surprise. If you’re part of the biker life, you’d expect to at least get to have a go on one of those Harleys, right? Well, no. Apparently, biker women are forbidden to cruise on their partners’ hogs. FormerOldLady claimed that her guy would have gotten in a whole heap of trouble if he’d let this rule be broken.

The only reason a woman is allowed to hang around a motorcycle club is because of her attachment to one of the guys. They have to be a wife or a girlfriend, or they’re not welcome. So if an ol’ lady breaks up with her man, she either has to go… or start a thing with another patch holder.

How do other bikers know whether a woman is taken? Simple: the ol’ lady is wearing a “property of” patch. Yep, it’s literally a patch that reads “property of” along with the name of the biker crew. This lets the dudes know that she is not to be messed around with — but only out of respect for her ol’ man, of course.

The rules and regulations of an outlaw biker gang govern how its ladies speak and behave. And according to motorcycle club expert James F. Quinn, that could include the women risking their livelihoods for their fellas. If a cop is threatening to shake down a gang, for example, the women may take possession of any “contraband” to conceal it from the law.

When the people in a group are as close as those in motorcycle gangs, fights inevitably break out from time to time. But while it’s one thing if the biker guys trade blows, it’s a whole other thing for the biker gals. If two women get into it, they risk finding themselves ousted from the group.

“Do not touch your man’s vest!” one anonymous ol’ lady explained on the website South Texas Biker. Why? Because that piece of clothing is hallowed. So even if the vest is stinky and dirty, a biker woman should not clean the thing without permission. Heck, she shouldn’t even lay her hands on it without asking her man first.

In fact, an ol’ lady has to be mindful of her man’s vest at all times. Is she going to be riding on her fella’s bike, holding on to him as she does? Then it’s probably a good idea for her to put on her make-up after the trip. Smudging foundation onto that sacred piece of clothing would be very bad indeed.

Pro tip: don’t wear stilettos while riding on your man’s bike. According to one biker wife, any color on those heels will likely rub off on the bike’s exhaust pipe because of the intense heat. That will result in a stained bike — and one very angry dude.

One biker wife gave a great tip to Insane Throttle in 2018. Want to get in a gang’s good books? Then make the meals for events. Not only is food a great unifier, but doing this also shows that you’re, as the ol’ lady put it, “willing to give and be a part” of the group. A biker wife should be helping the club, after all.

And one ol’ lady revealed the importance of sucking up to the veterans of a motorcycle club. Her rule is simple: “Share with your elders.” These old-timers are likely the key to having your man either accepted into or promoted within the group. Getting them on side is always going to be a good idea.

“Being kind to a point is key,” one ol’ lady said to Insane Throttle. That’s kind of standard advice for all walks of life — but it’s super-important for a biker wife. Kindness says that she and her ol’ man are people others can trust, and that’ll help them be welcomed further into the group.

The women around a motorcycle club have to set an example for the menfolk, according to one ol’ lady. If they are strong, their men will feel it. If they are supporting one another, the men will do the same. And if the women help other women in need, that feeling of togetherness will spread to the entire group.

An ol’ lady’s behavior reflects on their man — and that extends to how they hold their drink. So while a patch holder can chug back a six-pack and a couple of 40s no problem, it’s a good idea for their woman to remain fairly sober. To cross the line into obvious drunkenness is to risk damaging your ol’ man’s reputation.

According to the ol’ lady talking to Insane Throttle, an unattached woman moving from one gang member to another is called a “pass around.” And it seems that this is all A-okay… until the “pass around” approaches a guy who is already taken. That behavior’s likely to land them in all kinds of hot water.

Another good way to get in deep with a motorcycle gang is to befriend the, ahem, older ol’ ladies. These women are the property of the club’s veterans, so they’ll know everything that is worth knowing about a group and its rules. Making friends with these ladies is another way of showing respect for the club, too.

In 2015 Amy Irene White wrote a blog called “How to Behave Like a Proper Old Lady” — and it’s a subject she knows intimately. And one of the key takeaways from her piece was that women should basically “act like ladies” in the old-fashioned sense of that phrase. “Don’t sit around all spread-eagled and nasty” is how she actually puts it, though!

White reckons that part of being a “proper” ol’ lady requires a woman to look in a way her “man can be proud of.” This means having clean hair and freshly laundered clothes as well as smelling fresh and wearing make-up. Motorcycle clubs are apparently not places to be seen “looking like you just got off work at the gas station.”

Not every biker wife or girlfriend will have their own motorcycle. But if you do, you should really look after that bad boy. “The reflection in your chrome is a direct reflection on your man,” White wrote on her blog. So keep polishing until it’s perfect!

If a biker wife or girlfriend does have her own hog, she should learn how to use it properly before being seen in public. And if she’s riding with the rest of the club, she absolutely has to be at the rear. The front of the pack is only for men, of course.

It goes without saying that the men have first dibs on food at a club event. But even when the ol’ ladies get their chance at the buffet, they should watch what they eat. Having too much food can appear “slovenly and gross,” according to White. And, naturally, this will reflect poorly on your ol’ man.

Social media was not something the Hells Angels worried about when it first formed in 1948. But these days, the perils of Facebook are all too real for its members and their ol’ ladies. So, White warns that wives and girlfriends should only “be honest” about their situations. Basically, no boasting about anything that isn’t true, as the members of the club and their women will eventually see through you.

Getting ideas above your station is also a bad idea if you’re a biker wife or girlfriend. And a post on White’s blog credited to “PBOL Rose” brought this sharply to attention. Rose implores other ol’ ladies to “never act like they are something special.” The man is the patched member, not the woman.

You could argue that this is just good advice for everybody. But for the biker woman, there’s an extra wrinkle to the “don’t tell lies” mantra. Basically, the rule is that they should never deceive a patched member of the club. Lying to the police is probably okay, though. As you can imagine, the Hells Angels don’t exactly have a great relationship with the police — or any law enforcement, for that matter. And one of their laws reflects this negative attitude...

You may think that a cop would fit in well with the Hells Angels – especially one who patrols on a motorcycle. That’s not the case, though, as the group actually has a strict no-police rule when it comes to hopeful new members. And the same goes for prison guards. In fact, any ties to law enforcement will prevent you from enlisting in the club.

Why is this? Well, some charters allegedly engage in illegal activities. And even if they’re not breaking the law, club members go by their own rules and value their freedom to do so. Having a cop among their ranks would certainly put a dampener on that.

Fancy becoming a Hells Angel? Well, don’t expect them to tell you how to become a member. In fact, if you look on the FAQ section of the club’s website, it says in no uncertain terms, “If you have to ask, you probably will not understand the answer.” But we won’t leave you completely in the dark about what’s involved.

It all starts with what the Hells Angels call a hang around. And that’s just as it sounds. Basically, you’re given an invite to hang out with inducted members. That way, the others can see how prospective newbies will fit in with the crowd – or not.

But you can’t just accept an invite to hang around and then change your mind about attending. You see, charter members take the club very seriously indeed. And that means you’d better show up when you say you’ll be there. If you’re flaky, you probably won’t make it into the fold.

Members who skip events aren’t cut slack, either. The whole point of the Hells Angels is that it’s a brotherhood, and skipping out on the motorcycle family’s gatherings is a huge sign of disrespect. So, whether you’re a new or old member of the club, you go to the meetings – come hell or high water.

Perhaps you’ve seen Hells Angels vests or T-shirts emblazoned with the club logo. But you shouldn’t wear this gear – especially in an attempt to secure your membership. The gang has a strict no-impersonation policy, and they wouldn’t take kindly to something like that. They’d probably have no issue with dishing out the reprisals, either.

As you may already have guessed, members are the only ones who can wear official Hells Angels gear. So, until you get into the charter, don’t try slipping on someone else’s vest or sewing a patch on too quickly. Just support the club in ways that won’t offend the folks you’re trying to impress instead.

We can see the strength of the Hells Angels brotherhood from the outside, but it’s hard to sum up just how seriously they take their bond with one another. This rule of the motorcycle club gives a hint, though: they cannot talk about absent members.

It makes sense that Hells Angels wouldn’t discuss members with outsiders, but they also extend this silence to those who have disappeared. This measure is yet another protection in place to maintain their privacy and keep one another away from the clutches of the law. So, if you have loose lips, you probably won’t be inducted. You’re not even supposed to talk about your brothers with anyone outside of the club.

You’ve probably picked up by now that respect is of the utmost importance to Hells Angels. And this applies both inside and outside a particular charter. Simply put, you should hold your fellow motorcyclists in high regard. If one charter claims a specific area as their territory, then, others nearby should obey these boundaries.

In this way, it’s decided which Hells Angels charter can hang out where. There is some leeway, as club members can actually ride through one another’s territories. What they can’t do, however, is stop, hang out and make themselves comfortable. Only the folks from the charter that has staked its claim can do that.

While Hells Angels have plenty of respect for one another, they’re not the only motorcycle gang on Earth. And, sometimes, that means they have to fight for control over the territory they want. Gang members apparently tend to take the view that they shouldn’t have to share with riders of differing affiliations.

You see, there’s an unwritten rule between motorcycle clubs – including the Outlaws, the Hells Angels and the Bandidos – that only one of them can control a single area. And that’s how conflict between these groups can start. Something as simple as a rival biker showing up in your area with “your” location emblazoned on their vest can start a fight for dominance.

Hells Angels may have tough reputations, but they’re not solely about cruising and controlling their turf. Part of the gig also requires you to be a good person – and not just to your brothers. Yes, in many charters, charity work is apparently a requirement for membership.

This means that Hells Angels often give back to the communities in which they live and ride. If your neighborhood has a motorcycle contingent, then, you may see the leather-donning members frequenting local bars and restaurants. Some will even run their own charities or spend time working with adults or children in need.

You remember the Golden Rule from your school days, right? It’s simple: treat others how you want to be treated. And if you could follow that guideline as a child, then you’ll have no problem being a Hells Angel as a grown-up. Members stick to the same principle when it comes to people both inside and outside of their charter.

The Hells Angels code says that they will treat others with respect so long as they receive it in return. Journalists who have interviewed gang members have apparently found them welcoming and warm. Neighbors of the motorcyclists have reported the same, too. If you show contempt to a member, on the other hand, you should expect a completely different result…

You know by now that wearing the Hells Angels logo is an honor bestowed upon bona fide members only. Clearly, then, the motorcycle gang takes its branding seriously. But this approach doesn’t just apply to folks who want to get in or appear as though they have. It also informs how members react to the way they’re portrayed in the media.

So, the Hells Angels will do anything to defend their public image. They’ve even gone so far as to slap down big companies that have presented a skewed view of who they are. The motorcycle club launched legal proceedings against Disney, for instance, after it released the bike-centric flick Wild Hogs. We can only imagine that the Angels aren’t best pleased with Cindy Crawford and Rande Gerber donning leathers, either – though that surely doesn’t represent a full endorsement of the biker lifestyle!

Membership in the Hells Angels clearly comes with a lot of responsibilities. But if you join a motorcycle gang, you probably won’t have any problem with this rule: you have to be prepared to ride with your brothers. And if you’re a little on the lazy side, beware. That doesn’t mean only short, quick jaunts down the road.

The Hells Angels website claims that charters ride more than 12,000 miles together every single year. Do the math, and you’ll find that’s roughly 33 miles each day. Of course, the gang doesn’t hit the road every Monday through Sunday, but you do have to be prepared to drop everything for a long cruise. And if you like riding, it won’t be a huge burden to be on your bike for hours at a time, will it?

If you want to join the Hells Angels, you should start by investing in the right motorcycle. But you don’t just need to own a bike – yep, it’s on you to supply your own ride – as it also should come from one manufacturer in particular. You see, it’s custom for members to only ride Harley-Davidson models.

There are a few exceptions to this rule, though, depending on the Hells Angels charter you join. Some will let a non-Harley bike slide so long as you choose another American-made brand. Among the acceptable choices is Buell – which, funnily enough, is a subsidiary of Harley-Davidson.

It takes time to set up a Hells Angels charter – and the club’s website is careful to point out this fact. The site says in no uncertain terms, “Motorcycle clubs consist of people who have ridden together for years, live in the same area, are known by the community, have runs and parties and are a brotherhood.” And you just can’t create that kind of closeness overnight.

So, a motorcycle community would generally only consider becoming an official arm of the Hells Angels after years of riding together by choice. Perhaps that’s why the club website doesn’t include instructions on how to join up. Once you’re established enough, you don’t have to ask how or follow any steps; you’re just in.

Any grammar guru will tell you that “Hells Angels” should really have an apostrophe before the first “s.” The club’s name implies that the motorcyclists belong to hell, after all, and so an apostrophe would make that connection clear by creating a possessive. But the organization acknowledges only one proper spelling of its name, and there’s nary a punctuation mark in sight.

The Hells Angels adhere to their own rules – and that appears to include grammatical ones, too. The official website even makes a point to shut down those who question this choice by remarking, “Yes, we know there is an apostrophe missing, but it is you who miss it. We don’t.” And if you want to keep on a member’s good side, we wouldn’t recommend you disagree.

Initiation and membership into the Hells Angels arms you with a coveted accessory: a vest emblazoned with the organization’s name and insignia on its back. That way, when you’re on the road, everyone knows with whom you’re riding. But that’s not the only must-wear item for the motorcycle gang’s inductees.

You see, Hells Angels charters each have their own dress codes. Some don’t allow riders to wear shorts, while others bar their members from sporting anything but the color black. In other places, however, motorcyclists may be permitted to don denim and camouflage prints. And, handily, these rules help neighboring charters recognize one another on the road.

If you’ve ever seen a Hells Angels charter cruising down the highway, you’ll know that a lot ride together. The members can often take over the whole road, in fact. And yet, even with so many bikes hurtling along, there’s order to the chaos you’re witnessing from the outside.

At the front of the pack, you’ll see the captain riding along with the president of the Hells Angels charter. They lead the way, while the rest of the crew falls in line based on their personal rankings and seniority levels. New members hang near the back, and prospective signees bring up the rear.

In reading this list, you’re probably getting the feeling that joining the Hells Angels isn’t a decision to take lightly. And you’d be right. The organization prides itself on the connections made between members and the strong brotherhood that results. As such, there’s no need to join any other bike-related organization.

Apparently, Hells Angels should even steer clear of any other social clubs or membership-only groups. The organization’s website explains, “Never combine your support to Hells Angels with other clubs, street gangs or others if you are unaware of the relationship between those others and the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.” It’s best, then, to stick to who you know.

There’s a reason why the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club is such a mysterious organization: its members make a point of keeping it that way. For starters, they don’t share their plans or scheduled activities with anyone. And if you somehow happen to catch Hells Angels riding, then you’ve found out along with the rest of the world that they had a cruise on the books.

The Hells Angels’ secrecy stems from a simple internal policy: don’t talk to the press. Riders use their silence as a way to protect their image and safeguard themselves and others. And as only those inside the organization need to know what charters are up to and when they’re gathering, it’s a bad idea to spill the beans.

If you think you want to join the Hells Angels, then you should make absolutely sure before you start the process. A new prospect’s journey from enlistee to full-fledged member can take years, you see, and there are several hoops through which you have to jump before you officially make it into a charter.

And the culmination of all of those pre-membership rituals ends with a democratic vote among everyone in the charter. This step certainly speaks to the brotherhood mentality that the Hells Angels have; basically, if the group likes you, then you’re in. If the majority of the guys don’t want you to join, though, then you’re probably out without question.

You’ve heard of fraternities hazing those seeking to join, and the Hells Angels are no different. For one, prospective initiates can get stuck with the chores that fully fledged members would rather avoid. This means, for instance, that the new guys may arrive early to a charter meeting, putting everything together before anyone else gets there.

That’s a pretty benign example of what Hells Angels hazing can be, though. Some say that the process can get violent, although this in turn triggers another rule. Apparently, prospects can’t lash out or fight back against the senior members who haze them. If they do, then their journey to membership ends then and there.

Knowing what you do now, you probably don’t want to mess with the Hells Angels. But even if you’d never purposely rile a member, you may just do so inadvertedly. That’s because outsiders can’t link to the motorcycle club’s website except in a very specific scenario.

The Hells Angels’ site explains, “You may not establish and/or operate links to this website without the prior written consent of the Hells Angels Motorcycle Club.” And even if you have permission, it may not last forever, as members reserve the right to withdraw from the deal.

Once you join a Hells Angels charter, your brothers will expect you to put the organization first. And as membership comes with a slew of perks – you can vote at meetings, for example – you should take this honor seriously by making the club your first priority.

Needless to say, then, being part of the Hells Angels will become most members’ only hobby. Yep, they won’t have time to sign up for bowling leagues or take cooking classes. Even their wives and partners have to accept that the club comes before everything else.

Picture a Hells Angels’ meeting, and you may imagine it to be as raucous as the riders’ engine-revving antics on the road. In actual fact, though, there are very specific guidelines dictating how members should behave at their regular gatherings. The organization follows Robert’s Rules of Order, which was originally written in 1876 to help businesses keep any assemblies civilized.

Robert’s Rules of Order outline the ways in which a firm – or in this case, the Hells Angels – can hold a democratic meeting. The group has to respect the written agenda, while members can only interrupt when it’s really needed. Anyone with a question has to raise it before proceedings begin, too. And, apparently, breaking a rule will put you $100 out of pocket.

If you assume that Hells Angels’ criminal activity extends to drugs, though, guess again, as the organization has a no-tolerance policy for contact or engagement with illegal substances. The Toronto-based charter, for example, makes a particular point to prohibit needle use.

In the end, substance abuse would negatively affect the reputations of Hells Angels members, so they steer clear of it. And the organization also have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault. If a rider commits such an act or uses drugs, then, they’re out of the charter for good.

Of course, Hells Angels members are bound by the laws of the land – whether they like it or not. And when cops catch a motorcyclist riding or behaving illegally, they naturally won’t hesitate to pull them over. When that happens, though, the rest of the charter will act according to club rules.

In essence, after one member pulls over, their brothers will do the same and sit on the side of the road in solidarity. They do this as a supportive symbol, for sure, but the practice may also serve to scare the cop who has forced the bike to the shoulder.

It takes a lot to become a full-fledged member of the Hells Angels, but the length of membership warrants such an intensive interview process. You see, once you’re in, you’re in for life, as there’s no such thing as retirement from the motorcycle club. You can, of course, lose your place for going against the rules, but that’s basically it.

But a lifetime membership does have its benefits, as Hells Angels enlistees become more like family than members of a motorcycle gang. And they generally take that connection very seriously, being brothers to the very end – at which point they give any fallen biker a proper send-off.

By now, you’ve learned one thing: the Hells Angels don’t just make rules for the sake of it. And it should be pretty clear that members take the organization and its reputation very seriously. If someone gets into the group but fails to meet its standards, then, or decides to flaunt the guidelines, they’ll be in serious trouble.

Those who have investigated the Hells Angels have heard horror stories of how remaining members will burn off the tattoos of those who haven’t obeyed the motorcyclists’ code. But the worst consequence of all for any rider would be removal from the club – a major dishonor, especially as membership is otherwise a lifelong commitment.