Veterans and motorcycles - Combat veteran on a motorcycle, his jacket reads Combat Vets Association, Vets Helping Vets

written by Todd DePastino

James Wilson at Viking Bags contacted me the other day to ask how the VBC could help connect their company–which makes motorcycle luggage and parts–connect with the veteran community. James sent this beautiful bag for us to auction at an event. Viking has a line of high-quality backpack bags for street bike riders and motorcycle cruiser enthusiasts alike. line of high-quality eterans have long found solace, community, and healing on two wheels, and the roots of this connection run deep. For many, motorcycles offer a unique blend of adrenaline, freedom, and camaraderie that helps bridge the gap between military life and civilian life. After the intensity of combat, returning veterans often struggle to adjust to the slower pace and isolation of civilian life. Motorcycles and the clubs that surround them provide a natural fit for veterans seeking to reclaim some of the excitement and bonds they experienced in the service.

James’ note made my wonder about the connection between veterans and motorcycles. From Rolling Thunder’s 88 chapters in 29 states to the thousands of local clubs across the country and the world, motorcycle clubs have been part and parcel from the veterans community for a long time. The motorcycle seems entwined with the very identity of veteran.

Why?

Turns out, the connect stretches back at least to World War II. After the war, many veterans returned home restless and unsatisfied by traditional postwar life. The military had provided them with structure, camaraderie, and adrenaline-filled experiences that civilian life simply couldn’t replicate. At the same time, surplus motorcycles—many of them Harley-Davidsons used by the military during the war—were cheap and readily available. Veterans, particularly those who had served in combat, gravitated toward these machines. Motorcycles were fast, rebellious, and offered a sense of personal freedom that many veterans craved after years of following orders.

Motorcycle clubs, like those that still exist today, began to take shape in the post-World War II era. These early clubs weren’t just about riding; they provided a space for veterans to bond, share their experiences, and feel a sense of belonging in a world that often seemed indifferent to their struggles. These clubs weren’t new to the 1940s—the Federation of American Motorcyclists was founded as early as 1903—but after the war, they took on a different character. Veteran-led clubs like the infamous Boozefighters and the Pissed Off Bastards of Bloomington began cropping up, bringing a rebellious energy to American roads. “Returning vets reported feelings of restlessness and a general malaise,” wrote Richard Kolb in Veterans of Foreign Wars Magazine, noting that the postwar culture of conformity wasn’t well-suited to men who had seen combat.

For these veterans, motorcycles filled a void. Aaron Perry, co-founder of the V-Twin Project, put it simply: “Out there, nothing takes hold—especially not pain, anxiety, exasperation, or fear.” The focus required for riding, the physicality of the experience, and the adrenaline all combined to provide a kind of therapy that other outlets couldn’t match. Veterans like Perry describe riding as both freeing and grounding—an antidote to the mental stress they carried from their time in the military.

Matthew Webb, a 34-year-old Marine veteran, told the Military Times: “When you’re riding, there’s so much going on that your body seizes on that adrenaline,” he said. For Webb, riding was a release from the intense feelings that came with PTSD, offering a rare moment of peace. “You’re zeroed in on the road ahead of you, and nothing besides yourself, the bike, and the road exist. Your worries fade away.” Veterans often describe riding as a way to completely clear their minds. T

The mental health benefits of riding go beyond just the thrill of speed. Experts agree that activities like motorcycle riding can help alleviate the symptoms of PTSD, a condition common among veterans. Research by J. Paul Rand, who studies the psychological effects of riding, found that riders experienced a “relaxation of mental stressors” while on the road. This therapeutic effect has made motorcycling a popular form of “wind therapy” for veterans, helping them cope with the emotional and psychological scars of war. In fact, many veterans have reported that riding improves their overall quality of life. As former U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Brian Steuber put it, “My medical prescription is 800-plus pounds of American-made metal and chrome. No drug can compare; no feeling is better.”

Organizations like Motorcycle Missions have recognized the power of motorcycles to help veterans heal and have built programs around it. Motorcycle Missions, founded by Krystal Hess, a non-veteran who herself found healing through motorcycling after leaving an abusive relationship, provides veterans with the opportunity to immerse themselves in the motorcycle world. Hess started the organization to help veterans use motorcycles as a way to work through trauma. “They’re very much programmed to do a job,” Hess said. “When they come home, they’re not deprogrammed, and they have a hard time getting back into the normal rhythm of things.” Motorcycle Missions offers a range of activities, from motocross camps to welding and motorcycle-building courses, helping veterans develop new skills while benefiting from the therapeutic nature of the work. Hess has seen firsthand the positive effects this has had on participants, many of whom report reduced alcohol consumption, improved relationships, and the ability to reduce or stop medication.

The community aspect of motorcycling is just as important as the ride itself. For veterans, being part of a motorcycle club provides a sense of camaraderie and belonging that is often hard to find in civilian life. Webb pointed out that motorcyclists, especially veterans, share an unspoken bond. The military and motorcycle culture share a similar code of respect, rules, and hand signals, making veterans feel right at home in the biker world. For many, it’s the closest thing they can find to the brotherhood of the military.

For veterans, motorcycles offer more than just a hobby—they provide a sense of purpose, mental clarity, and community – the ultimate form of therapy.

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