LA's Fastest Growing Moto Crew: Westside Motorcycle Collective

 Today we got Jimmy in from Westside. Thanks for coming down, man! Really appreciate it.

I really want the viewers to learn about the Westside Moto Collective. I know you guys are growing a lot right now. You’re moving into Nevada and Arizona, and you just started like a year and a half ago. So, tell our viewers, in a nutshell, what is the Westside Moto Collective all about?

Jimmy: In one sentence, it's basically people from any backgrounds, any motorcycle style, coming together as a collective to just enjoy our hobby of motorcycles. Ride any style you want, any bike you want, whatever background you are. It’s an open riding group; everybody’s welcome.

Do you guys do weekly or monthly rides?

Jimmy: We do monthly rides and events. We have rides booked all the way up until November, then we take December off every year. We usually go to a small business or a restaurant or an event. For example, on August 17th, we’ll be at Lifestyle Cycles with our tent. We always meet at Randy’s Donuts in Inglewood, an iconic place in Los Angeles. It’s always fun to see people roll up with 100 to 200 bikes in a little donut shop in the middle of Inglewood. It’s become synonymous with Westside Moto Collective.

I love it. If you know, you know. Meeting at Randy’s means you just want to know the date and time.

So, how many new members are you guys gaining a week or a month?

Jimmy: We don’t have members; it’s just a group. If someone asks how to join, I say just show up. You’re here, you’ve joined Westside Moto Collective. There's not a lot of red tape to get into. We have a very low entry barrier. Just show up, buy a shirt, wear it, represent, tag us on social media—that's all we ask. It’s open to everybody, as long as you're not endangering anyone. Ride within your skill set and means.

And it started in LA with Tony and his wife, right?

Jimmy: Tony and Anna, yeah. They’ll be getting married in November. They better make it because I booked my flight to Mexico for the wedding. They started in January of 2023. I didn’t meet them until March. Tony’s a big metalhead, and I’m a big metalhead too. I don’t know if you can tell, but it probably explains a lot. I’m actually a lawyer, so I get ID’d and questioned everywhere I go.

I love it. You’re a metalhead and a lawyer.

Jimmy: Exactly. We connected over our shared love of metal and hardcore. Westside has a more hardcore scene—rebellious, loud, aggressive, maybe a few burnouts and wheelies. But it turns out we’re all really nice people. A lot of people who show up are actually professionals, which is hilarious. I’m just a degenerate, so that’s probably why they want to hang out with me.

So, you’ve got a Westside shirt on, and you guys are kind of expanding.

Jimmy: Yeah, we’re expanding into apparel. We have shirts, windbreakers, hats—functional biker wear. The hoodies we sell in the winter are heavy-duty, made for riding. Our windbreakers are great for winter and rain. Everything is functional apparel for riding. We even have our own gloves now.

Have you had any success stories with people who were maybe a little lost in life and found their community with Westside?

Jimmy: Yeah, I’m a bit of a crazy introvert. Westside gave me a new community and a chance to meet like-minded people. I had a couple recognize me at an event, saying they met at our first bike night and have been together ever since. We’ve had people get jobs through us or meet other professionals. It’s great to see people come together through this community.

I love that. So, you meet new people and make connections through riding.

Jimmy: Exactly. I look forward to it every weekend. We organize rides and hang out with people we’ve met. I live in the valley, so we often ride to places like the Malibu and Santa Monica Mountains or the Rock Store.

Let's talk about you a bit. You’re from Ireland. You were in a band. What else is there to know about Jimmy?

Jimmy: Don’t show up at my door without me noticing. I’m very armed and dangerous. Just kidding! I’m getting my citizenship soon and can’t wait. I was a choir boy and an altar boy growing up, but now I’m in remission from Catholicism.

What’s bike culture like in Ireland?

Jimmy: It’s rainy, so you’re often wet and the roads are slippery. It’s seasonal, but I’d ride year-round if I could. There are bike rallies, and I used to go to them as a teenager. I grew up very poor and couldn’t afford a good bike, so I love America for the opportunities it offers. Now I have multiple bikes and a collection.

How old were you when you got your first bike?

Jimmy: I was 17 and got a Yamaha 50 in Ireland. It was a small, two-stroke bike with a top speed of about 32 mph downhill.

What about the tattoos?

Jimmy: If you put a dollar amount on them, it could have been a down payment on a house or a CVO. I’ve gotten tattoos all over the world, and they’ve grown bigger over time. My first tattoo was when I was 19, and I still think of it as just one big tattoo now.

Thank you so much for coming down and being a good sport. Follow us on Instagram, Motorcycle Collective, Lifestyle Cycles. Come down to the bike night. I’ll be here slinging t-shirts and eating tacos.

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