There was a time in America when riding a motorcycle meant you generally lived on the fringe of decent, legal society. For the most part, those days are gone. Today, motorcycling is mostly a yuppie activity, embraced by guys like professional golfer Davis Love III, whose chief sponsor is Ralph Loren's Polo.
Not so, however, Down Under. In Australia, outlaw biker culture is thriving. A 2006 report by the Australian Crime Commission estimated that there are 35 outlaw motorcycle gangs currently in Australia, with 3,500 members, or "bikies" as the Aussies call them. And their numbers are growing. Ten gangs opened 26 new chapters last year.
In March, one gang known as the Commancheros fired shots into a club called Mr. Goodbar in a hip suburb of Sydney. Their target was the president of a rival club. Last month, the clubhouse of another Sydney gang known as the Nomads was firebombed in a suspected attack by the Commancheros.
Why should FP readers care? Because, interestingly, Australian police blame globalization and immigration for the rise in biker gang violence. According to Reuters, Australian police superintendent Scott Whyte said that:
Australia's multi-cultural population meant the traditional Anglo-Saxon make-up of biker gangs was changing and different ethnic groups were starting to take over and bring a more violent attitude to the gangs."
Australian police are vowing to crackdown on bikies in showdowns reminiscent of 1960s California. Where is Hunter Thompson when we need him?
(Hat tip: Erin Baker)
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