Editorial: Fallen Hells Angel earned much respect

Jack, Shane and Hazel.

Most people never met Shane Bullock, but almost all knew of him.

A member of the Hells Angels Shane had brushes with the law and courts, served time in prison, and successfully opposed the banning in Whanganui public places of gang insignia.

Biker jackets, and the emblems they carry, were not designed to intimidate folk, he argued at the time but showed pride and solidarity within the family of the club.

The Hells Angels Kaikokopu Rd club house has popped in and out of the news due to its fortress-like construction and battles with council over building regulations.

The gang itself has in times passed found itself tangled up in tit for tat incidents with rival gangs, creating much work for police and at times anxiety among the community.

But mostly club members keep to themselves, do not antagonise good folk and aren't a problem for most people.

Illicit activities behind its fortress walls are often suspected, but seldom are proven to be correct.

Shane was immensely respected within the Hells Angel community, not just here in Whanganui, but world-wide.

Tributes on club forum pages are steadily flowing in from all corners of the globe.

"Sending my condolences to the Wanganui, New Zealand chapter on the passing of S, a well respected man, RIP Shane Bullock," wrote Reddog from California.

Hundreds are expected to arrive in Whanganui this week for the funeral. Most will be bikers.

Town will be loud and may even shake a little as hundreds of American motorcycles rumble through.

For some it will be intimidating. But it need not be. They are here to mourn and celebrate a brother, a leader.

Shane may have lived outside of the law at times, but to have won so much respect, indicates he had many qualities to be admired as well.