<\/a>A patched member at the 2023 Making Strides of Seattle breast cancer walk. Courtesy photo.<\/p><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
“We got asked to do the Snohomish Pride,” said Camino, the Seattle chapter’s Road Captain, of their upcoming events.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
As Seattle Dykes on Bikes expands its inclusive community outreach to help support LGBTQ+, people of color and “womxn” spaces, the chapter’s membership has accelerated as well.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“This chapter is growing a lot faster than any of the other chapters have, historically,” said Dearborn. According to Camino, Seattle Dykes on Bikes is the fastest growing and the largest chapter within US clubs.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
With over 45 members (and counting), the Seattle chapter includes potential prospects, prospects and patched members. In motorcycle clubs, prospects are those who fully intend to become patched members. Patched members are those who have been initiated into the club and wear its distinct colors and patches on their motorcycle vest or jacket.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
For both Dearborn and Camino, the biggest reason for getting their patches with Seattle Dykes on Bikes was the deep sense of community that comes with the club.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
”I’ve kind of been jokingly saying, you know, the patch on our back, they call it our cut. Like, it’s because your family has your back. I feel like when I’m wearing my cut, I have my family on my back. The club has you,” said Camino. “Nobody really knew me when I broke my leg at the first meeting I attended and like, the whole club took care of me … free food, taking me to appointments, they were like coming to my house and bringing me stuff. I think that community is the reason why we’re doing this.”<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
Community within the Seattle chapter also goes beyond gender and sexuality.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
“It doesn’t matter if you identify as like, specifically a lesbian or not, we have people all over the gender spectrum, like trans women, trans men. It’s very inclusive,” said Camino.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t
For more information on Seattle Dykes on Bikes, visit dykesonbikesseattle.org. To submit a request for the chapter’s volunteer service, visit bit.ly\/SEA-DOB-volunteers.<\/a><\/ins><\/p>\n\t\t\t\t