Russell Radke: A Journey from Addiction to Advocacy

Russell Radke’s story is one of redemption, resilience, and a lifelong dedication to motorcycle culture and advocacy. Born in 1960, Radke's early life was marked by constant movement due to his father’s career as a serviceman. After his father retired, the family settled in Henderson, Nevada, where young Russell began to develop his passion for motorcycles. What started with minibikes soon grew into a love for two-wheeled machines, eventually riding a 305 Honda Dream and later a 650 Triumph. With its raked-out springer front end and z-bars, his Triumph may have taken all four lanes to complete a U-turn, but Radke’s cool, rebellious spirit was unmistakable.

Despite his love of motorcycles, Russell’s early years were marked by struggles. After high school, he found himself in a cycle of partying, working, and broken relationships, all while battling a twenty-year drug addiction. By age 35, he had already failed two rehab programs. However, his life took a dramatic turn on July 7, 1995, when he accepted Jesus into his life. Just three days later, he was miraculously delivered from his addiction, a moment that marked the beginning of his 28 years of sobriety. With his newfound faith, Radke also discovered a love for food, which led him to go from 185 pounds after high school to 305 pounds after kicking drugs.

In December 1999, Radke took a significant step by joining Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club (MC), a Christian motorcycle club that blends his passion for riding with his faith. His involvement in the motorcycle community grew even further when he became the chairman of the Las Vegas Confederation of Clubs. However, as his role in the community expanded, so did his encounters with law enforcement. “For so many years of rolling dirty, I put on a patch and am getting pulled over like crazy!” he recalls. “I kept thinking to myself, can’t they read ‘JESUS’ on the patch?!”

Russell soon found himself stepping into the world of motorcycle politics and advocacy. With guidance from mentors like Fred Harrell and Deb Buttita, he began representing the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF) as a state representative. He became deeply involved in defending the rights of motorcyclists, particularly around issues of motorcycle profiling. After fellow advocate Still Ray’s motorcycle accident in 2014, Russell took on an even more prominent role as the Club Representative to the Board for the MRF.

Following the tragic shooting in Waco, Texas in 2015, two major initiatives were launched to protect the rights of motorcyclists: the Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP) and the National Council of Clubs (NCOC). Russell has been a key member of both organizations, working tirelessly to combat the profiling of motorcyclists by law enforcement. His efforts, alongside fellow advocates, have led to significant legislative victories at the federal level.

Among these accomplishments are:

• SR154, passed unanimously on December 11, 2018, making pretextual stops and detaining motorcyclists illegal.

• HR2617, part of the Omnibus Bill passed on December 23, 2022, which required the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHSTA) to release an official position paper on motorcycle profiling.

• HR366, a House resolution passed on December 23, 2022, which mirrored the earlier Senate resolution on profiling.

These victories have set the stage for anti-profiling laws across the U.S., showing state lawmakers the necessity of protecting motorcyclists from unfair treatment. The MPP survey results consistently highlight that profiling increases in states lacking such protections, reinforcing the need for continued advocacy.

Russell attributes this success to the collaboration between the MRF, the NCOC, and the State Motorcycle Rights Organizations (SMROs), all united in the fight for motorcyclists' rights. He takes pride in his 25 years of service with Soldiers for Jesus and the MRF, but he remains humble about his achievements, often pointing to the collective efforts of his fellow advocates.

Amid all the challenges and triumphs, Russell credits his wife, Stephany, for her unwavering support throughout his journey. As he reflects on his life—from addiction and personal struggles to leadership in the fight for motorcyclist rights—Russell Radke remains both grateful and humbled by the recognition he’s received.

In his words, “This is a journey of faith, resilience, and standing up for what’s right—one ride at a time.”

Sidebox: Milestones in Russell Radke’s Advocacy

• 1999: Joins Soldiers for Jesus Motorcycle Club

• Late 1990s: Becomes Nevada state representative for the Motorcycle Riders Foundation (MRF)

• 2014: Steps in as Club Representative to the MRF Board after Still Ray’s accident

• 2015: Joins the Motorcycle Profiling Project (MPP) and National Council of Clubs (NCOC)

• 2018: SR154 passes, making pretextual stops of motorcyclists illegal

• 2022: HR2617 and HR366 passed, addressing motorcycle profiling at the federal level