Black motorcycle clubs across the United States are actively fostering community and celebrating freedom through regular rides, picnics, and social gatherings. These events, often held every summer weekend, build upon traditions that in some cases date back to the 1940s.
The culture of Black motorcycling developed as a response to exclusion from white motorcycle clubs and labour discrimination during the Jim Crow era. Many Black soldiers returning from the Second World War sought community and adventure, with motorcycling offering a similar thrill to piloting, despite facing racism that often prevented them from securing jobs as pilots.
Organisations like Black Girls Ride (BGR), established in 2011, support women of colour in motorsports. BGR holds meetups multiple times a year, publishes a digital magazine and podcast, and participates in annual events such as the Essence festival in New Orleans. The group has also engaged in civic activities, including raising over $30,000 for the Boys and Girls Club of New Orleans.
Another prominent group, the Buffalo Soldiers Motorcycle Club, which has approximately 5,000 members, incorporates education on Black history into its activities. The club's name honours the all-Black military units of the ninth and 10th US cavalry regiments formed in 1866. Annually, the club holds conventions featuring safety training, rides, cookouts, and community outreach, often visiting historic sites.
Joining a club typically involves specific requirements, such as owning a motorcycle larger than 600 cubic centimetres, being at least 21 years old, and completing a probationary period that includes mandatory rides and attending events.