What does bikie mean?
A bikie is a member of a motorcycle club, particularly one belonging to the outlaw gangs prominent in Australia and New Zealand. The word functions as the local equivalent of the American "biker," but its connotations lean more heavily toward gang culture: news reports of drug trafficking, turf wars, and police raids routinely speak of "bikie gangs." The term follows the characteristically Australian habit of adding a diminutive "-ie" ending — the same instinct that gives us "barbie" for barbecue and "arvo" for afternoon. While it can neutrally describe anyone devoted to motorcycle-club life, in everyday usage it usually implies affiliation with groups such as those targeted by so-called bikie laws, legislation designed to restrict gang activity. Outside Australasia the word is little used, and speakers there would normally say "biker" instead.
nounA member of a motorcycle club, especially one associated with outlaw gangs and a distinctive biker subculture. The term is chiefly used in Australia and New Zealand.
- A member of an outlaw motorcycle club or gang (the dominant sense).
- More broadly, any motorcyclist associated with bike-club culture.
"Police raided the clubhouse after reports of rival bikie gangs clashing in the city."
"The bikies were spotted riding in formation along the coastal highway."
"New legislation aimed at banning criminal bikie gangs from gathering in public drew fierce debate."
Regular plural; commonly used when referring to gangs collectively.
"Rival bikies gathered outside the courthouse to protest the new laws."
Australians don't say "biker gang" — they say "bikie gang," and the word carries enough menace that entire state laws are nicknamed after it.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of bikie
Bikie formed from "bike," itself a familiar shortening of "bicycle" (and later "motorcycle"), with the diminutive suffix "-ie" typical of Australian and New Zealand colloquial English. It emerged in the mid-twentieth century alongside the rise of motorcycle club culture and became firmly established in Australasian usage, where it now dominates coverage of outlaw motorcycle gangs.
Related word forms
How bikie is actually used
The word is informal to neutral in register but frequently appears in news reporting about organized crime, where it carries strong negative connotations. In British and American English, "biker" is preferred; using "bikie" elsewhere may sound odd. The diminutive "-ie" ending is characteristic of Australian English.
Easily confused with bikie
"Biker" is the general international term for a motorcyclist, whereas "bikie" is the Australian/New Zealand term that often specifically connotes membership in an outlaw motorcycle gang.