Unlike the other outlaw cycle gangs, the
Wheels of Soul and the Ghetto Riders are comprised predominately of African-Americans, although the
Wheels of Soul is considered a bi-racial group. This
membership is somewhat uncharacteristic in that
most other outlaw motorcycle gangs espouse a philosophy akin to neo-nazism and exclude non-whites
from their ranks.
In the early 1970's, the Wheels of Soul was
considered to be a social organization but it deteriorated to its current status of an outlaw club. At one
time this group was active and maintained a clubhouse in the Atlantic City area. However, following
raids by local authorities, the club dispersed and
relocated in outlying areas of the county.
During its more active years in the late
1970's and 1980's, the Wheels of Soul had a combined membership of approximately 50, with chapters in Atlantic City, Atco, Freehold and a motor
club in Philadelphia. However, in more recent
years, the chapters have been reduced in this state to
only one in South Jersey having about 10 members.
Philadelphia continues to host the Mother Club, last
reported to have approximately 50 members.
An offshoot of the Wheels of Soul, the
Ghetto Riders was formed in the late 1970's and is
headquartered in the City of Camden, where it
maintains a clubhouse. Numbering approximately
30 members and 20 associates, the club operates
primarily in the Camden County area.
Of the two organizations, it would appear
that the Ghetto Riders are maintaining an active
membership, whereas the Wheels of Soul seem to be
in decline. Both continue, however, to be involved
in traditional outlaw motorcycle gang criminal activities such as narcotics distribution and acts of violence.
