Kirkuk bikers say they follow strict rules on road

(28 Feb 2022) LEAD IN:
Iraqi bikers meet every week under a bridge in Kirkuk before they hit the road together on their classic motorcycles.
Group members say they have very strict rules in the motorcycle club because they want to present a good image of themselves.

STORY-LINE:
Members of the Dark Land motorcycle club in Iraq's Kirkuk ride together through the streets of the city once a week.
The club has a few dozen members in Kirkuk and newcomers have to meet a set of requirements.
"A person has to be 20 years or older to join and their motorcycle must be a classic motorcycle with a 400cc motor," says Abdulla Mahmoud, the club treasurer.
The price of these classic motorcycles in Kirkuk ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 in Kirkuk.
When they ride together, the bikers are always accompanied by one sports bike for emergency cases.
Group members say they follow strict international rules for motorcycle clubs.  
The motorcycle club is self-funded and members have to pay a monthly subscription to keep it running.
It brings together people from all walks of life including doctors, businessmen and even college students.
From time to time, the biker club organizes charity activities in Kirkuk.
"Our main goal in this club is to present a good image of bikers inside Iraq," says Mahmoud.
They have previously collected donations for cancer patients and orphans as well as other people in need.

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...