Bikers in IG Metall Standing up for the vulnerable—with powerful engines

IG Metall offers the Worker Wheels network for motorcycle enthusiasts. There are twelve regional groups throughout Germany with several hundred members. Riding motorcycles is the favorite leisure activity of union members. Worker Wheels was founded nearly 25 years ago by active metalworkers.

Safety Is a Top Priority

The Worker Wheels season often kicks off in the regions with a safe-riding course. That’s the case in Rottweil. A dozen riders from the regional Black Forest group meet early one Saturday morning at the traffic training ground. Most of the bikes have between 80 and 125 PS under the tank—so they’re definitely not for beginners. First up is the theory. The focus, for example, is on controlling centrifugal forces so you don’t crash into the guardrail when taking a curve. After the lesson on riding physics, it’s time to hit the road. An instructor from the traffic safety organization offers tips on improving riding technique.

Fabian Braun, a metalworker, is participating for the first time. At 23, he’s the youngest in the group and rides a “youngtimer”: a 2000 Honda CB500. Fabian works at Continental and is currently studying computer science in Furtwangen. Anja Zeizinger, a works council member at Flowserve Flow Control, has been riding motorcycles for over 30 years. The technical draftsman appreciates the sense of community at Worker Wheels. “Here, I connect with people who, like me, enjoy riding motorcycles and also share similar political views.” The Germany-wide network is organized by Uwe Acker of IG Metall in Villingen-Schwenningen. Acker is an avid motorcyclist himself. “Through our platform, we arrange to go on rides together. We share ride reports and give each other tips. Besides motorcycling, we often talk about union work.”

Inspiration for Union Work

Of course, the primary goal is to have fun riding together and to experience trips covering hundreds of kilometers a day. Participants travel from far and wide to attend events such as the annual “Nordlichter” gatherings and tours through the Alps. Rides take place in groups of up to 15 motorcycles. Showing consideration for the less experienced riders in the group is part of the experience and is a living example of union practice. Solidarity is a top priority. On two wheels, everyone is equal.

“It’s really easy to strike up a conversation here,” says metalworker Martin Krämer from Frankfurt, who has been riding with the Worker Wheels in Hesse for over 15 years. “At the meetups, we talk about engine power and equipment, crankshafts and cylinder head gaskets. But that’s not all. We also talk about IG Metall and what we’re doing there.” Active union members in the workplace—that is, works council members and shop stewards—are represented more frequently than average. Many gain inspiration and new ideas for their work and for their colleagues through the biker meetups.

Born to Be Wild

On their rides with these heavy machines, they also make a political statement. Groups from the Worker Wheels regularly attend IG Metall events. They support warning strikes and demonstrations with a motorcycle parade, as they did during the day of action in March 2025. Many Worker Wheels members also regularly participate in May Day events or help with social projects. The Erlangen biker group, for example, raised thousands of euros for a pediatric cancer ward. Metalworker Heinz Urban founded the Erlangen group many years ago. He’s something of a veteran among the Worker Wheels. “We have a great community here. These are just people on the same wavelength—metalworkers you can count on.”