A motorcycle club for firefighters

The Red Knights International Firefighters Motorcycle Club has expanded its presence on Long Island with a now 1-year-old chapter in Bayville, officially established last August. The international organization boasts more than 300 chapters and 9,000 members worldwide, and the local chapter is already making an impact with its dedication to motorcycle safety and local charity work.

“We’ve got about 20 members now,” Bill Toney, vice president of the Bayville group, said. “Most of us are firefighters and motorcycle enthusiasts. Our goal is to raise awareness about motorcycle safety and give back to the community, and we’re looking forward to doing that for years to come.”

The Red Knights club was founded in 1982 in Boylston, Massachusetts, when a group of firefighters who were also motorcycle enthusiasts realized that there was no club for firefighters akin to the Blue Knights, a motorcycle club for law enforcement officers. The Red Knights quickly grew, attracting firefighters from across the United States and, eventually, from around the world.

The club now includes career, part-time, volunteer, disabled and retired firefighters. Members are committed to promoting motorcycle safety, projecting a positive image of motorcyclists, and raising money for a variety of charities.

The Bayville chapter’s creation stemmed from the desire to have a Red Knights presence in more parts of Long Island.

“We already had a few chapters in the area,” Toney said, referring to existing groups in Floral Park and elsewhere. “But we wanted to spread out and reach different communities. That’s how our chapter came to be.”

As a nonprofit, the club received its 501(c)(3) status earlier this year, solidifying its ability to raise funds and hold charitable events. Its primary focus will be organizing charity rides, such as their upcoming Dice Run on Oct. 12, to raise money for the People’s Pantry in Oyster Bay, which helps feed families in need.

“A dice run is where we ride to five different locations, and at each stop, participants roll a pair of dice,” Toney explained. “Whoever has the highest total at the end wins $150, and the lowest roll wins $50. We’ll also have 50/50 raffles and other activities to raise money.”

Chapter members are already looking ahead to future charity work. “We plan to pick different organizations each year, and next year we might even do a scholarship fund,” Toney said.

The Red Knights also emphasize motorcycle safety, one of the core tenets of the organization. The club offers training for its members and encourages safe riding, both for experienced riders and those new to motorcycling.

The club also works to raise awareness of motorcyclists on the road among drivers of cars and trucks. According to Toney, many accidents involving motorcycles could be avoided if drivers of other vehicles were more conscious of motorcycles around them.

“It’s important to know your position on the road and understand how to interact with other vehicles,” he said.

The members of the Bayville chapter are excited about the future, plan to make the Dice Run an annual event and hope to continue growing their membership.

“Right now, we have firefighters, first responders, and even a few social members — family members of firefighters who want to support what we do,” Toney said. “We also have a small percentage of associate members who aren’t firefighters, but are passionate about riding and giving back.”

The Red Knights’ reach continues to expand, both locally and globally, as new chapters like Bayville’s form to carry on the club’s mission.

“We’re just getting started, but we’ve got big plans,” Toney said. “We’re here to make a difference, both in the community and on the road.”

The club prides itself on being more than just a group of motorcycle enthusiasts. For members like Toney, it’s about the camaraderie that comes with being part of a global brotherhood of firefighters.

“We’re all connected through our work and our love of riding,” he said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re in Bayville or in another chapter halfway across the world — you’re part of the Red Knights family.”

For more information about the club and to learn about upcoming events, visit its Facebook page at RKMCNYXX Public.