Definition
People who ride bicycles or motorcycles, often referring to motorcycle enthusiasts or gang members.
Etymology
From 'bike' (shortened from bicycle, from Latin bi- 'two' and Greek kyklos 'wheel') plus the agent suffix -er and plural -s. The term emerged in the mid-20th century, with the motorcycle sense developing cultural significance through groups like the Hell's Angels.
Kelly Says
The word 'bikers' carries dramatically different connotations depending on context - it can refer to environmentally conscious cyclists or leather-clad motorcycle gang members. This semantic split reflects how the same mode of transportation can represent completely opposite cultural values and lifestyle choices.
Translations
AMአማርኛ
ሞቶርሳይክል ላሊበት
mɔtɔrsajkəl lalibet
CACatalà
motociclistes
mɔtɔsikˈlistəs
CSČeština
motocyklisté
mɔtɔt͡sɪklistɛ
DADansk
motorcyklister
moˈtoɐ̯ˀtsʰʏɡəlˀstər
DEDeutsch
Motorradfahrer
moˈtoːʁaːtfaːʁɐ
ELΕλληνικά
μοτοσικλετιστές
motɔsiklitistés
ESEspañol
motociclistas
motosiˈklistas
FAفارسی
دوچرخه سواران
dučarxe suarān
FISuomi
moottoripyöräilijät
moːtːoːripyøræilijæt
FRFrançais
motocyclistes
mɔtɔsiklist
GUGU
બાઇક ચાલક
baik chālak
HAHA
masu keken mota
masu keken mota
HEעברית
רוכבי אופנוע
rokhvim ophanoa
HUMagyar
motorosok
motoroʃok
IDBahasa Indonesia
pengendara sepeda motor
pəŋəndara səpəda motor
IGIG
ndị na-akwọ ụgbọ ala
ndị na-akwọ ụgbọ ala
ITItaliano
motociclisti
mototʃiˈlisti
KKKK
мотоциклмен жүретіндер
mototsiklmen ǵuretinder
KMKM
អ្នកជិះម៉ូតូ
ʔɑnĕc ciə mɔɔto
KO한국어
오토바이 타는 사람
otobai tneun saram
MRMR
बायक चालणारे
baik chālaṇārē
MSBahasa Melayu
penunggang motosikal
pənuŋɡaŋ motosikal
MYမြန်မာ
မော်တော်ကားစီးသူ
mɔ́ tɔ́ kaː sí ðù
NLNederlands
motorrijders
moːtɔrˈɛidərs
NONorsk
motorcyklister
moˈtoːrtsyklister
PAPA
ਮੋਟਰਸਾਈਕਲ ਚਾਲਕ
moṭarsāʾikl čālak
PLPolski
motocykliści
mɔtɔt͡sɨˈkliɕt͡ɕi
PTPortuguês
motociclistas
motosiˈklistɐs
RORomână
motocicliști
motot͡sikliʃtʲ
RUРусский
мotoциклисты
mɐtɐˈtsɨklʲɪstɨ
SVSvenska
motorcyklister
mɔtɔrˈtsʏklɪstər
SWKiswahili
watu wa pikipiki
watu wa pikipiki
TAதமிழ்
பைக் ஓட்டிகள்
paik ōṭṭikaḷ
TEతెలుగు
బైకర్లు
baikarlu
THไทย
นักขี่รถจักรยานยนต์
nák kǐi rot ǵak ǵan yon
TLTL
mga mananakay ng motorsiklo
mga mananakay ng motorsiklo
TRTürkçe
motorsiklet sürücüsü
motorsiklet sürücüsü
UKУкраїнська
мотоциклісти
mɔtɔt͡sɪklɪsti
URاردو
موٹر سائیکل چلانے والے
moṭar saikil čalanē vāle
VITiếng Việt
tài xế xe máy
tài xế xe máy
YOYO
àwọn ọkọ̀ ojú irin
àwọn ọkọ̀ ojú irin
ZH中文
摩托车手
mó tuō chē shǒu
ZUZU
abasuki bezibhayi
abasuki bezibhayi
Ethical Language Guidance
Gender History
Motorcycle and bicycle subcultures have historically centered male identity and excluded women through gatekeeping, media representation, and physical/social intimidation. The term carries associations with male-dominated communities.
Inclusive Usage
Use 'cyclists' or 'riders' when referring to the activity neutrally. When referring to motorcycle culture, acknowledge diverse membership explicitly.
Inclusive Alternatives
["cyclists","riders","two-wheelers"]
Empowerment Note
Women have been pioneer motorcyclists and cyclists since the late 1800s—figures like Effie Yates and Bertha Benz used bikes/cycles for independence; contemporary women riders and cyclists continue this legacy against cultural erasure.