Motorcycle gangs are almost always highly structured, with a hierarchy ranging from a national president to road captains and probate or prospective members. All have some form of bylaws setting accepted standards of conduct and administrative procedures for the gang's operation. Colors are members' outlaw duty uniform and their claim to membership in a particular gang. Bikers have opted out of society. They are arrogant, retributive, and racist. The bikers motorcycle is a status symbol and a basic requirement of membership. Outlaw gangs will use any method of violence to control an area for the purpose of conducting criminal activities. Common illegal activities include motorcycle thefts, prostitution, drug trafficking, and weapons offenses. Other crimes committed for profit may include extortion, burglary, fraud, and arson. Much of gangs' strength derives from the intelligence systems they have developed for their operations and to protect themselves from rival gangs and police. Trusted biker women play an important role in these systems by taking jobs that provide access to criminal records and documents of identification. Gangs are male-dominated and chauvinistic. Women are treated as little more than playthings and generally are forced into prostitution or drug peddling. Gang clubhouses are usually secure and often boobytrapped. Police need to base their actions on reliable information and investigations must be coordinated if they are to combat gangs effectively. Maps and illustrations.