The Hells Angels have quite the reputation. Many people aren’t very surprised when in turns out that they have been involved in a riot with the police. But this doesn’t mean the Angels don’t follow any rules. There are thirty club rules that every member must stick to. Including Women.
The Hells Angels, a notorious motorcycle club, have garnered a reputation that precedes them. For many, it’s no shock to hear of their involvement in altercations, particularly with law enforcement, given their rebellious image and history. However, amidst the chaos and notoriety, there’s a code of conduct that every member is expected to adhere to – thirty club rules that govern their actions and behavior. Surprisingly, these rules apply universally within the club, regardless of gender, which may come as a surprise to those who perceive the Angels as a predominantly masculine domain.
Within the Hells Angels, adherence to these rules is not just a matter of tradition; it’s a reflection of the club’s internal hierarchy and discipline. Despite their outlaw reputation, the Angels maintain a strict set of guidelines that govern everything from interactions with law enforcement to internal club dynamics. For instance, members are expected to display loyalty to their fellow Angels, adhere to a code of silence regarding club matters, and uphold a sense of brotherhood that extends beyond mere camaraderie.
Hells Angels aren’t exactly known for their candor. They don’t like to talk to outsiders about what’s going on in their club. It’s actually a secret. However, we managed to find some rules that they must adhere to. Curious about the thirty (!) commandments? You can read them on the next page.
Would you like to join the Hells Angels? Then you may not ask for a membership. “If you have to ask, you probably won’t understand the answer,” reads the official Hells Angels website. “If you’re really interested, you should talk to a member near you. If you have to ask where they are… you’re not ready to join our motorcycle club.”
Do you know where to find someone nearby? Then you will be invited to “hang out” with other members present. This wat, the other members can judge whether you would fit in or not.
Do you want to become a member? Then you have to show absolute dedication. You cannot accept an invitation and then cancel it. Once you fail to show up, you can forget about attending another event later. And even once you’ve become a member, you can’t simply skip an event. The idea behind the Hells Angels is that it is a brotherhood. You don’t show up? Then that is regarded as a serious misstep that shows you don’t have respect.
Only Hells Angels members are allowed to wear the official clothing. You can forget about joining the club if you’re seen wearing a fake Hells Angels shirt. Additionally, the club has a strict policy on the use of their logo. Only members can do that.
No discussion is allowed about members who suddenly aren’t members anymore. It sometimes happens that someone is suddenly no longer seen at the motorcycle club. Is it allowed to talk about that? Absolutely not. Privacy is also very important to the Angels. Club members’ affairs may therefore not be discussed with people who aren’t part of the Hells Angels.
Each Hells Angels charter marks its territory and other members have to respect that. Respect is of paramount importance to the Angels. Does one of the members claim a certain area that is close to yours? Then you have to respect those boundaries. Other Angels may drive through the area, but they are not allowed to stop and relax. Only the Angels who own that area are allowed to do that.
Hells Angels fight for their territory. Aside from the Hells Angels, there are several other motorcycle gangs in the world. From time to time they run into each other, and if they’re interested in the same area, this can result in a fight. Motor clubs never share territories. This is one of the reasons why huge fights can erupt between different motorcycle clubs.
You have to be willing to roll up your sleeves. Hells Angels come across as tough people, but that does not mean that they never do anything good. On the contrary, the brother not only help each other, but many charters (as a branch within the Hells Angels is called) participate in volunteer work. The Angels often give back to the community they live and ride in.
Hells Angels follow the golden rule. If there’s one thing that’s important to the Angles, it’s the golden rule. The golden rule, we can hear you think. It’s simple, yet important: treat others as you would like to be treated yourself. The code means that they treat others (inside and outside the club) with respect, as long as they receive it back.
Reportedly, journalists who interviewed them thought they were warm and welcoming. This view is shared by the members’ neighbors. However, if you don’t treat them with respect, you could be starting a riot….
Always protect the Hells Angels brand. The Hells Angels logo may not be worn by just anyone, as we already knew. Hells Angels are also expected to always protect the overall brand as well. This includes the way they behave in the media and the way they present themselves. They’ll do anything to protect their image.
You have to be prepared to ride a lot. It should be clear that a motorcycle club is all about motorcycling. As a member of the motorcycle club, you have to be prepared to put in a lot of miles with your borthers, about 12,000 miles to be exact. That equates to 33 miles per day, which equated to 53 kilometers per day. The Angels don’t ride every day, of course, so there will be days when you do a lot of miles.
You can only ride a Harley Davidson. It should be clear by now: becoming a member of the Hells Angels is not easy. If you still wish to join the club, you should invest in the right motorcycle. Club members exclusively ride Harley Davidsons.
Don’t question their spelling. Hells Angels, that should actually be spelled differently. Still, you don’t have to point out to them that it should actualy be Hell’s Angels. After all, the club has its own rules, and language seems (not) to be part of it. The website even states that they are aware of this. “Yes, we know there’s an apostrophe missing, but it’s you who misses it. We don’t.”
There is a dress code. As a member of the motorcycle club you have to adhere to a certain dress code: you always wear a vest with the name and insignia of the club on your back. When you’re on the road, everyone knows you’re a member of the Hells Angels. In addition to that, it also depens on which dress code you have to comply with within a charter. For example, some do not allow their members to wear shorts or to wear color other than black.
Angels ride in a specific order. Hells Angels aren’t afraid to take up the entire road when they’re driving somewhere with their charter. To outsiders it looks like complete chaos, but there is a logic to it for the members. At the front, the captain drives together with the president of the relevant charter. They lead the rest. How the crew rides depends on their personal rank. New members often ride in the back.
You cannot join another motorcycle club. It may have already become clear to you: you don’t just join the Hells Angels and if you do: you cannot join another club. Fraternity is of paramount importance to the organization and for that reason you simply cannot join anywhere else. Hells Angels only!
Angels don’t talk to the media. Journalists have approached the Angels in the past, but the question is how much information they can actually obtain from the members. For example, members of the club are not allowed to just share information with the media. Plans and activities may not be shared under any circumstances. By keeping as many secrets as possible, they protect their image and that of their brothers.
The Hells Angels jacket is sacred. On the day you join the club, you receive the vest sporting the Hells Angels logo. The item must be cared for with utmost respect and is more than an accessory. It’s so sacred that members reportedly don’t want medics to cut it open after an accident.
Whether you can become a member depends on a vote. We now know that becoming a member is not easy. Aside from that, we don’t know much, but we do know that it can be a time-consuming procedure. Going from potential member to actual member can take years. Apparently there are quite a few things that you have to comply with. What exactly? Unfortunately, that remains unclear.
Have you fulfilled all their wishes? Then the members vote democratically. Again, brotherhood plays a major role. If they don’t like you, you won’t get in no matter how hard you try.
As a potential member you will be subject to hazing. Did you think that hazing rituals were limited to student associations? Then you would be wrong. The Angels do it as well. It’s nothing too bad though. For example, when the Hells Angels have a meeting, they expect you to be there earlier to get everything ready. You basically do the chores that no one within the charter feels like doing.
Additionally, things can sometimes get a bit more difficult than that. According to insiders (who we can’t name), the process can also turn violent. However, potential members cannot fight back when someone hits them.
You may not refer to their website. Even if you don’t want to become a member of the Hells Angels and have never been one, you can easily get in trouble with the gang without even realizing it. Outsiders are not allowed to refer to the Hells Angels website. For example, you can read on the website (which we are not allowed to refer to) that it is forbidden to place urls on other websites that link to those of the motorcycle club without permission. And even if you did get permission, a member can tell you to remove it at any time.
You have to prioritize the club. Being a member of the Hells Angels is a privilege. You’d better take this seriously and this is what your brothers will expect from you. The Angels come first. Other hobbies have to make way for brotherhood, because from then on the Angels are your only hobby.
Police officers are not allowed to join. Certain rules cannot be circumvented. Are you with the police? Then you can’t get in. The Hells Angels have a strict no police policy when it comes to new members. The same goes for prison guards and people who have strong connections to them.Sometimes Hells Angels break the law. The motorcycle club is seen as a 1%MC, also called a 1% motorcycle club or OMG, which is short for Outlaw Motorcycle Gang. This means that members do not feel bound by the law and they therefore have their own ‘laws’. With a police officer in their middle, things could take a wrong turn for everyone involved.
Interrupting a meeting can cost you dearly. The Angels do not always have much respect for the law, but they certainly respect the rules within their charter. Hells Angels meetings should therefore not be disturbed by members. The club reportedly follows the so-called Robert’s Rules of Order, which were drawn up in 1876.
This rules describe what a democratic meeting of the Angels should look like. For example, members must respect the agenda and interruptions are only allowed if there really is no other option. Unnecessarily asking a question will cost you $100.
Never rat out a fellow Angel. By now it must have become clear to you that brotherhood is one of the most important commandments within the Hells Angels. As a club member, it’s possible that you see one of your brothers doing something unacceptable. Any illegal activities should never be reported. If the police ever question you, you should be silent as those in the grave.
Drug abuse is strictly forbidden. A misconception that still circulates is that Hells Angels regularly turn to drugs. The opposite is true. The club has a no-tolerance policy for involvement with illegal narcotics. For example, the Toronto charter strictly forbids the use of needles.
Everyone stops when the police arrest a member. If a member is stopped on the side of the road by the police, the whole charter stops as well. They do this out of solidarity, but there is also another reason behind it: the charter hopes to come across as intimidating to the police officer in question.
You can’t retire. You don’t just become a member and you don’t just stop. As Hells Angels you cannot just decide to call it quits. You are a member for life. You can get kicked out of the club, but in that case you probably didn’t abide by the rules.
Failure to follow rules has its consequences. Members should take the rules and the organization very seriously. You can get kicked out of the club if you don’t follow the Hells Angels code. To outsiders this may sound mild, but for an Angel this is the absolute worst-case scenario. Oh, and then there are these stories of the Hells Angels logo tattoos being burned off in the most gruesome ways. So, it’s better to adhere to the rules when you join the club.
Women are not allowed. It’s anything but emancipated, but women aren’t allowed to join the Hells Angels. This doesn’t mean that the men have anything against women in general. Many are married or have girlfriends, but they will never become members of the club. However, the ladies are expected to stick to certain rules. Her partner will often demonstrate to her what she can and cannot do.
The inclusion of women in these rules underscores the evolving nature of the motorcycle club scene. While traditionally male-dominated, the presence of women within the Hells Angels is not a recent phenomenon. Female members, often referred to as “old ladies” within the club, play integral roles in the organization, offering support, companionship, and even leadership in some chapters. As such, they are subject to the same expectations and responsibilities as their male counterparts, reinforcing the notion of equality within the club’s ranks.
These rules not only serve to maintain order within the Hells Angels but also to differentiate them from mere street gangs. While they may operate outside the boundaries of conventional society, the Angels operate within their own set of regulations, which, in their eyes, elevate them above mere criminals. It’s a fascinating paradox – a group that revels in its outlaw image, yet adheres to a strict code of conduct that governs its every action.
In the eyes of outsiders, the Hells Angels may continue to evoke fear and suspicion. Still, within the club, there’s a sense of pride in their adherence to these rules, a belief that they represent something more significant than just a band of renegades on motorcycles. And as long as they continue to uphold these principles, the Hells Angels will remain a formidable presence in the world of motorcycle clubs, defying expectations and challenging perceptions at every turn.
The Hells Angels, a globally recognized motorcycle club, have cultivated a reputation that straddles the line between fascination and fear. Known for their distinctive insignia, black leather jackets, and roaring motorcycles, the Angels have become synonymous with rebellion, lawlessness, and a fierce sense of brotherhood. It’s hardly surprising then, that news of their involvement in altercations, particularly with law enforcement, often makes headlines, reinforcing the image of a group that operates outside the norms of society.
Yet, amidst the sensationalism and notoriety, there exists a complex internal structure governed by a set of rules that every member is expected to abide by. These rules, thirty in total, serve as the backbone of the club, guiding the conduct and interactions of its members in both public and private spheres. From matters as serious as dealing with law enforcement to the seemingly mundane intricacies of club etiquette, these rules are sacrosanct within the Hells Angels.
One might assume that such a group, steeped in a culture of defiance and rebellion, would operate without restraint or structure. However, nothing could be further from the truth. The Hells Angels maintain a strict hierarchy, with senior members wielding authority and ensuring that the rules are enforced without exception. Loyalty, respect, and solidarity are not just buzzwords within the club; they are foundational principles that dictate every aspect of club life.
What may surprise many is that these rules extend to all members of the club, regardless of gender. While the Hells Angels have long been perceived as a bastion of masculinity, the presence of women within the organization is not merely decorative. Female members, known colloquially as “old ladies,” play integral roles within the club, offering support, companionship, and even leadership in some chapters. As such, they are held to the same standards and expectations as their male counterparts, a testament to the club’s commitment to equality and inclusion.
The inclusion of women in the club’s rules reflects the evolving nature of motorcycle club culture. While the image of the lone biker, clad in leather and fueled by rebellion, may persist in popular imagination, the reality is far more nuanced. The Hells Angels, like many other clubs, have adapted to changing societal norms, welcoming women into their ranks and affording them the same rights and responsibilities as male members.
At its core, the adherence to these rules serves a dual purpose for the Hells Angels. On one hand, it ensures a degree of order and discipline within the club, mitigating the potential for internal strife and discord. On the other hand, it distinguishes the Angels from mere street gangs or criminal organizations, positioning them as a cohesive, organized entity with a distinct set of values and principles.
In the eyes of outsiders, the Hells Angels may continue to evoke fear and suspicion, their presence a reminder of the thin line between order and chaos. Yet, within the club, there exists a sense of pride in their adherence to these rules, a belief that they represent something greater than mere outlaws on two wheels. And as long as they continue to uphold these principles, the Hells Angels will remain a formidable presence in the world of motorcycle clubs, challenging perceptions and defying expectations with every rumble of their engines.
The Hells Angels, with their iconic emblem emblazoned on leather vests, evoke a mixture of awe and trepidation in the public imagination. They are not just a motorcycle club; they are a cultural phenomenon, a symbol of rebellion and defiance against societal norms. From their humble origins in post-World War II America to their global presence today, the Angels have carved out a niche for themselves as the quintessential outlaw bikers, unapologetically living on the fringes of mainstream society.
It’s hardly surprising, then, that the Hells Angels have been embroiled in numerous clashes with law enforcement over the years. From high-profile incidents like the infamous Altamont Free Concert in 1969 to more recent skirmishes, the Angels’ confrontations with authority have only served to cement their reputation as a force to be reckoned with. Yet, amidst the chaos and mayhem, there exists a rigid internal code that governs every aspect of club life.
At the heart of this code are the thirty club rules that every member must adhere to without exception. These rules, often shrouded in secrecy and mystique, form the backbone of the Hells Angels’ organizational structure, dictating everything from interactions with outsiders to the minutiae of daily club activities. They are not mere suggestions or guidelines; they are commandments to be followed devoutly, enforced by the unwavering authority of the club’s hierarchy.
What sets the Hells Angels apart from other motorcycle clubs is the inclusion of women within their ranks. While traditionally a male-dominated domain, the Angels have welcomed female members into their fold, affording them the same rights and responsibilities as their male counterparts. These women, known as “old ladies” within the club, play integral roles in the organization, offering support, companionship, and even leadership in some chapters. As such, they are held to the same exacting standards as their male counterparts, expected to abide by the club rules without exception.
The inclusion of women within the club’s rules reflects a broader shift in motorcycle club culture towards greater inclusivity and diversity. While the image of the lone biker, clad in leather and fueled by rebellion, may persist in popular culture, the reality is far more complex. The Hells Angels, like many other clubs, have adapted to changing societal norms, recognizing that strength and solidarity come not from exclusion but from unity in diversity.
But beyond mere symbolism, the adherence to these rules serves a practical purpose for the Hells Angels. It ensures a degree of order and discipline within the club, mitigating the potential for internal strife and conflict. It also distinguishes the Angels from mere street gangs or criminal organizations, positioning them as a cohesive, organized entity with a distinct set of values and principles.
In the eyes of outsiders, the Hells Angels may continue to evoke fear and suspicion, their presence a reminder of the thin line between order and chaos. Yet, within the club, there exists a sense of pride in their adherence to these rules, a belief that they represent something greater than mere outlaws on two wheels. And as long as they continue to uphold these principles, the Hells Angels will remain a formidable presence in the world of motorcycle clubs, challenging perceptions and defying expectations with every rumble of their engines.
The Hells Angels, with their enduring mystique and unmistakable insignia, stand as a testament to the enduring allure of rebellion and brotherhood. Emerging from the post-war counterculture of the 1940s and 1950s, this motorcycle club has etched its name into the annals of American folklore, embodying the spirit of freedom, independence, and defiance against societal norms. From their origins in California to their global reach today, the Angels have become an iconic symbol of outlaw culture, revered by some and reviled by others.
Central to the mythology surrounding the Hells Angels are their confrontations with law enforcement, which have often escalated into violent clashes and sensationalized media spectacles. From the infamous Hollister riot of 1947, immortalized in the film “The Wild One,” to the Altamont Speedway Free Concert debacle in 1969, where a member of the club infamously stabbed a concertgoer to death, the Angels’ run-ins with the authorities have only served to cement their outlaw status. Yet, amidst the chaos and notoriety, there exists a hidden framework of rules and regulations that govern every aspect of club life.
The Hells Angels, contrary to popular perception, are not a lawless band of renegades. They operate within a strict hierarchy, with a well-defined chain of command and a set of rules that every member is expected to follow implicitly. These rules, thirty in total, encompass everything from interactions with law enforcement to the conduct of club meetings and events. They are not merely guidelines; they are commandments that are enforced with unwavering rigor by the club’s leadership.
What sets the Hells Angels apart from other motorcycle clubs is their inclusivity, particularly when it comes to gender. While many may envision the Angels as a bastion of hyper-masculinity, the reality is more nuanced. Women, known within the club as “old ladies,” play integral roles in the organization, offering support, companionship, and even leadership in some chapters. They are not relegated to the sidelines but are active participants in the club’s activities, subject to the same rules and expectations as their male counterparts.
Sources: Pexels, Unsplash