Take heed, brothers and sisters, for our Code is a hallowed one filled with respect, honor, and loyalty, a bond between our brothers and sisters, the likes of which have not been since the days of knighthood.
Don't take any disrespect, be kind to elderly people, women, children and animals, but don't put up with any disrespect. This is an essential part of being a biker. It has to do with personal honor. Anyone can be a quick-tempered fool... be cool, stand tall and backup what you say with action.
Never cheat, lie, or steal. Another way of saying this is to always be honest with your brothers and sisters. Bikers know his or her word is their bond. Your word is all you have in life that is truly yours. Guard it carefully and be something noble, for you are a member of a family that will stand shoulder to shoulder with you through all hardships and struggles.
Snitches are the lowest life forms on earth, right up there with bike thieves. Don't snitch, unless it involves someone harming a child, and then only if you can't handle it yourself. Otherwise if you see a wrong, fight it yourself, if you are about anything you'll take care of problems yourself, and never feel the need to snitch someone off.
Don't Whine. Absolutely no one likes or respects a whiner, and no one cares to hear it. Another way to say this is "take charge and get on with life". Still another way to think of it is, "Don't sweat the small stuff" most of life's little inconveniences work themselves out whether you whine or not. Keep your chin up, dammit! You're a biker, not some lowly snail. Never say die and never give up. Whether it's in a fight, a debate, or a curve too tight, no matter how bad it gets, a biker never shows weakness and a biker never gives up.
Help others. When a brother or sister is broken down by the side of the road, always stop and help them. Even moral support, if that is all you can give, is better than riding on by. And never ride off and leave anyone you rode out with, if they break down you pull over and wait, come hell or high water bikers do not abandon a brother or sister. Remember life is about the journey, the ride, not getting there. You already are there.
And don't just help bikers; show the world that we are better than our image portrays us. Courtesy costs you nothing and it brings honor and respect to the biker family.
Stick to your guns. Do what you say you'll do, be there when you say you will. This is called integrity. This also goes back to standing for something. Old school brother once said "We are all going to die, so make sure you die for something worth dyin' for, if you are right, stand your ground." Life is not a drill. Yeah, this ain't no dress rehearsal. This is life, so go out and take big bites of it. You've got no time to lose and bikers don't stand around waiting for the party to come to them. You only go around once. Tomorrow you could be road kill, thanks to a cell phone user texting at the wheel of his or her cage. Live life now, make the most of each moment 'cause as a biker this moment could be the rest of your life.
All right, now let's review. You are a biker, a modern-day knight of the road. Never trust anyone, not even the family, unless proven. Women and children are not to be abused. Never talk down to the poor, and never suck up to the rich. Protect the weak. Walk tall and stand proud. Your word is your bond. Stick to your guns. Don't put up with disrespect. Life is not a drill, and the code is not about a brand, it's about the brotherhood and sisterhood. Now go forth and ride. When in doubt, ride. That's what we do... bikers ride. If you want to ride around in a Day-Glo Hawaiian shirt and sandals, go for it, but if you intend to look like an idiot, at least don't act like an idiot.
These commandments are just a few of the broad strokes of "The Bikers Code", there is a lot more to being a biker than buying a bike. If you just buy a bike, you are a motorcyclist. Being a biker is a way of life, a proud way of life we hold in high regard with a burning passion for the open highway, and we carry the bikers code within our hearts wherever we ride.
The code is a spirit, something in each biker's heart that speaks to their souls as they ride across this land. The code lives in the blood of all bikers, whether they choose to live it or not is their choice, but it is in their blood.
The Code is based upon respect, honor, integrity, and the bond between the biker brotherhood and sisterhood. It consist of loyalty and standing shoulder to shoulder with brothers and sisters during good times and hard-times... being there when the family needs you. Bikers, living by the code, never place themselves ahead of the brotherhood and sisterhood... the code is about something bigger than who they are, or where they come from, it's about the biker to their left, right, rear, or to the front, it's about unity... knowing that a biker will never abandon his or her brother, or his or her sister. The Bikers Code is a common love of motorcycles that bikers share, it's the ride and the feeling of freedom that bikers understand and hold so near to their hearts. It's a code of trust and respect that is earned by actions. The code is not a book of do and don't, hell it ain't a book at all... no it's more about the principles bikers carry in their hearts, principles that a biker must adhere to while dealing with the biker family... for bikers are a family, and to stay strong in this world bikers must understand what is respect, and what is considered to be disrespect. Society has always told bikers that they could never fit in, that there was no place for them in this world, and bikers were casted out... but bikers continually prove society wrong, for they ride as a family, knowing exactly who their brothers and sisters are, and they ride with an understanding that today's society can never break them or shape them into sheep. Bikers do not follow, they lead. Brotherhood and sisterhood is the core of the biker community, it is love for one another, the willness to give ones life to ensure the safety of the family, a biker will never bring harm to the family, and he or she will not allow anyone to disrespect the family or a member of the family. Bikers do not allow anyone to disrespect them, they do not go out of their way to cause trouble, but they do not put up with disrespect from anyone. Instead of becoming politicians, judges and the like... bikers became rough men and women (broke their mom's hearts), bikers learned early to only trust when proven, that love is not to be abused, and to never talk down to the needy, respect both rich and poor alike, never show weakness, and to stand their ground... bikers understand more than most that life is short so they live it hard, and they keep their loved ones in sight, bikers never whine or cry about problems instead they take charge and get on with life... bikers believe in the old saying "we are all going to die, so make sure you die for something worth dying for" so bikers don't waste time... in a bikers life money comes and goes, they live in a world where if you gotta steal it you didn't need it, talk is cheap actions are judged... and bikers enjoy being in the presence of smart women (thats why God put 'em on this earth)... Old biker bro once said "I once took a personality test... turns out I'm self centered, arrogant, and I can't get over myself... mmm could it be I'm an asshole? Theres only one way to know for sure, have a beer with me." The code only exist because of the biker. Bikers never question why they ride, they know it's as basic as breathing. When bikers pray for their brothers and sisters they pray God will hear them... they ask God to bring the warmth of the sun to shine upon the brotherhood after long cold nights.... and they ask that each one is protected from harm and allowed to find the peace that each seeks to find as they ride across this land... let us all take the time to pray for our family of bikers each day.
