Mike Dobija used to feel embarrassed approaching random motorcyclists in Chicago to recruit them for his new riding group. When he started Chicago United Riders in 2015, getting members to join was no easy task. But over a decade later, what started as a wild dream of Dobija’s has transformed into one of the largest and friendliest motorcycle groups in the city.
After returning home to Chicago from multiple army deployments, Dobija was searching for “purpose and identity and something to be proud of,” things he said he lost transitioning back into civilian life. On the search for an outlet, Dobija said he was inspired to start Chicago United Riders (CUR) after seeing the potential — and problems — of other motorcycle groups.
“I saw a brotherhood in it,” he said at a Poncho-themed ride on May 2. “I also saw a lot of holes and flaws in the way they were doing it. I was like, ‘I want to do this. I just want to do it better.’”
Historically, motorcycle clubs like The Hells Angels have functioned like “organized gangs,” Dobija said, with roots in criminal activity, financial dues, strict hierarchies and required participation in events.
Looking to distance themselves from the “taboo” of these clubs, Dobija said he and fellow organizers coined a new label for the type of organization they aspired to be: an open motorcycle group. Completely volunteer-based, it’s open to all riders without any financial commitment.
The only requirement for members to ride with CUR is to “respect” its leadership team, arranged in a military-style structure, Dobija said. Much like in combat, rides are highly coordinated operations. A Point Person leads the ride. A group of Alpha Team Leaders makes up the first and second ranks, taking direction from the Point Person. A few Vanguards ride out ahead of the group to scope out any potential roadblocks. All this is facilitated through radio communication inside leaders’ helmets.
“From every light, from every every time we’ve gotta merge down to one lane and back to four, we’re communicating and we’re working together to get from point A to point B. And there’s something so magical about doing that,” Dobija said.
Though planning and executing rides is serious business for CUR’s leaders, Dobija said they keep things fun with ideas that are “outside the box.” Rides usually include creative themes like neon, tropical or camouflage, unique routes and before and after parties at local bars. All of these have gained the group a “cult following.”
“I’m blessed to be in a position where I share my creativity with everybody. Hundreds of people show up and get to be a part of my creative process,” Dobija said.
As an Alpha Team Leader, Curtis Sullivan assists in planning themes and routes for rides and often serves as a Point Person. Sullivan said he finds deep purpose in this role, describing the sight of a mass of motorcycles in his rearview mirror as “euphoric.”
“There’s pride in it. There’s excitement about it. There’s fear that comes with it too,” Sullivan said. “There’s nothing else in my life that’s given me that.”
Though now a crucial part of CUR’s leadership, Sullivan had to climb the ranks to get to where he is. He showed up to his first ride in 2018 with a cheap bike that he could barely start up. But despite his lack of status or showiness, he said he never felt judged by the group.
“It doesn’t matter who you are outside of here. You can be yourself here and be welcome,” he said.
An emphasis on inclusivity has catapulted Chicago United Riders into one of the largest motorcycle groups in the city. People of different ages, genders and races are all connected by their “love of riding,” said Laura Knight, a CUR member since 2023.
Knight, having seen misogynistic behavior from motorcycle clubs she rode with previously, called CUR’s innate ability to build community among different groups “so rare today.”
“You see all these things about diversity, equity, inclusion and all this stuff,” she said. “Here, it’s not even an issue. It’s not even discussed.”
The group is very open to female leadership, which is uncommon in other groups and clubs that are usually run by men. Amanda Holan, another Alpha Team Leader, headed the group’s first-ever female-led ride in April.
“It was a little terrifying, but it was great. It was an amazing feeling to have that privilege,” Holan said.
She said she aspires to “tear down those standards” of male exclusivity in motorcycling by paving the way for other women, like a little girl who asked her to autograph a CUR poster after a ride in February.
Holan said she wants to tell all female riders, “If I can do it, you can do it, and you can do it better than me. I’m walking for you so you can run.”
Much like Holan, Dobija said he is laying the groundwork to someday pass the reins of CUR to an ambitious and deserving successor. But in the meantime, Dobija plans to continue the community and creativity of the group for decades to come.
“I want to reach more people. I want to touch more people’s lives. I want to help more people.”
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