Moped Army

The Moped Army is an organization of moped enthusiasts centered on the organization's website, which serves as a catalyst for the spread of moped culture and the organization of moped-related events throughout the US and Canada. Founded in 1997 as the Decepticons in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by Daniel "Weber" Kastner, Simon King, and Brennan Sang, and as of September 2016, several branches have retired and hold "Emeritus" status.[1] The branches each have a unique name, often inspired by the city in which they are based, and are self-governing; implementing their own criteria regarding membership and activities. With the motto "Swarm and Destroy",[2] the Moped Army has been the subject of a graphic novel by Paul Sizer and a documentary called Swarm and Destroy.[3][4]

Moped Army
Formation1997
Location
Region served
Membership
  • 965 (active)
  • 307 (emeritus)
Official language
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French
Leader
  • Daniel "Weber" Kastner
  • Simon King
  • Brennan Sang
WebsiteOfficial Homepage

Swarm and Destroy (2002)

In 2002, at an event held in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by the Decepticons’ branch of the Moped Army, a documentary titled Swarm and Destroy was filmed. The documentary chronicles the event in Kalamazoo as well as moped culture as a whole. The individuals documented for the production of the film recounted tales of bizarre happenings while riding their mopeds, and shared what inspired them to come together in camaraderie.

Title card of the 2002 documentary, ‘Swarm and Destroy’
Title card of the 2002 documentary, Swarm and Destroy

Rise Against music video (2008)

Members of the "emeritus" Chicago branch of Moped Army, Peddy Cash, were featured in the music video for the song "Re-Education (Through Labor)" by the American rock band Rise Against, which was released in September 2008. In the video, they are seen riding their mopeds through a city and planting bombs.[5]

Branches

Active branches

There are 27 active branches and 7 emeritus branches of the Moped Army.[1] The emeritus distinction is granted to branches that have been with the Moped Army for over a decade and requested retirement.[1]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Moped Army.

References
  1. "Branches — Moped Army". www.mopedarmy.com. Archived from the original on 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  2. Hageman, William (22 September 2004), "Army revives 70s moto trend", Eastern Echo), archived from the original on 28 April 2005, retrieved 2009-03-02
  3. Jonsson, Patrik (25 April 2006). "High gas prices propel a new 'moped madness'". The Christian Science Monitor. The Christian Science Monitor. Archived from the original on 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2009-03-03.
  4. VanPutten, Michael (2021-03-22). "'Swarm and Destroy' documentary tells the story of The Moped Army". Michael VanPutten. Archived from the original on 2023-06-13. Retrieved 2023-06-13.
  5. "Rise Against - Re-Education (Through Labor)", Re-Education (Through Labor), archived from the original on 2023-06-13, retrieved 2023-06-13
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