Moped Army#Swarm and Destroy (2002)

Founded in 1997 as the "Decepticons" in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by Daniel "Weber" Kastner, Simon King, and Brennan Sang.{{Cite web |title=Branches — Moped Army |url=https://www.mopedarmy.com/branches/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613180705/https://www.mopedarmy.com/branches/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=www.mopedarmy.com |language=en}} The founders and other millennials were attracted to mopeds due to their uniqueness and for being socially responsible.{{cite news |last=Jonsson |first=Patrik |date=25 April 2006 |title=High gas prices propel a new 'moped madness' |work=The Christian Science Monitor |publisher=The Christian Science Monitor |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0425/p01s01-ussc.html |url-status=live |access-date=2009-03-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613181247/https://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0425/p01s01-ussc.html |archive-date=2023-06-13}}{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2005 |title=The Iron Hoodies |url=https://www.metrotimes.com/arts/the-iron-hoodies-2182778 |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Detroit Metro Times |language=en}} The Moped Army was planned as a network to strengthen the community.

Members ride 1970s 2 stroke mopeds that go 25-30 MPH, though a lot of people modify theirs to go faster. Due to the mopeds age and speed, they are inexpensive to purchase and maintain with more experienced members teaching newer ones. Members join for solidarity and support and are typically students or recent graduates with men making up roughly two-thirds of all members.{{Cite news |last=Hageman |first=William |date=August 1, 2004 |title=Moped Army is fueled with all the might a 2-horsepower engine can muster |pages=13-1, 13-8 |work=The Chicago Tribune |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/231300451/?terms=%22moped%20army%22&match=1 |access-date=January 1, 2024}}{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2007 |title=Mopeds / FIx them yourself |url=https://wikipedialibrary.wmflabs.org/ |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=Cedar Rapids Gazette |pages=1, 6 |language=en}} In larger cities such as San Francisco, riders appreciate the ease of parking.{{Cite web |last=Harmanci |first=Reyhan |date=2005-12-27 |title=Moped diaries / You pedal, you ride, you hit a top speed of 20... |url=https://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/moped-diaries-you-pedal-you-ride-you-hit-a-2555441.php |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=SFGATE |language=en}}

File:Landsquids (Moped Army) Bikes Loaded02.jpg

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."{{citation |last=Hageman |first=William |title=Army revives 70s moto trend |date=22 September 2004 |url=http://www.easternecho.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?4356 |work=Eastern Echo) |access-date=2009-03-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050428075448/http://www.easternecho.com/cgi-bin/story.cgi?4356 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 April 2005}} Branches host local rides at a regular cadence and an annual muti-day rally where they invite riders from the national branches to ride in their city.

As of 2023, there are 28 active branches and 7 emeritus branches of the Moped Army. The emeritus distinction is granted to branches that have been with the Moped Army for over a decade and requested retirement.

File:Swarm and Destroy (2002) -TITLE CARD-.jpeg of the 2002 documentary, Swarm and Destroy]]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.{{Cite web |last=VanPutten |first=Michael |date=2021-03-22 |title='Swarm and Destroy' documentary tells the story of The Moped Army |url=https://www.michaelvanputten.com/moped-army-swarm-destroy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613181526/https://www.michaelvanputten.com/moped-army-swarm-destroy/ |archive-date=2023-06-13 |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=Michael VanPutten |language=en-US}}

The Moped Army has been the subject of a graphic novel by Paul Sizer.{{Cite book |last=Sizer |first=Paul |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NI0qAAAAYAAJ |title=Moped Army |date=2005 |publisher=Cafe Digital Comics |isbn=978-0-9768565-4-2 |language=en}} Founders of the organization provided technical information of mopeds to support the storyline.{{Cite web |title=WMU News - Army of 'Moped' fans await award announcements |url=https://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2006/05/019.html |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=www.wmich.edu}}

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.{{Citation |title=Rise Against - Re-Education (Through Labor) |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnbvOi4SpSk |work=Re-Education (Through Labor) | date=13 December 2009 |access-date=2023-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613182618/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QnbvOi4SpSk&feature=youtu.be |url-status=live |language=en |archive-date=2023-06-13}}

{{commons category}}

• [http://www.mopedarmy.com/ Moped Army Official Website]

{{reflist}}

Category:Mopeds

Category:Motorcycle clubs in the United States