Bikers often put patches on their biker gear, including their jackets and vests. Some bikers only wear these jackets when they're riding or at biker events. When they go out at other times, they wear something that doesn't immediately mark them as a biker. However, sometimes riders will put a few patches on these jackets, too. Even non-bikers might want to dress up a leather jacket with a couple of fun patches.
Normally, they don't go overboard on patches. They will add one or two that are bright and will give the jacket a bit of flair. They stay away from patches that feature offensive sayings or philosophical musings. They don't use saying or funny patches, either. Instead, they usually pick patches that are colorful and feature bright images. Usually they have nothing to do with biking or bikers, they go with Native American patches, eagle patches, and other non-biker images.
Military and ex-military members often add a few patches to their jackets that reflect which branch of the military they are in. Sometimes, they also add patches that let others know which conflicts they have participated in or which awards and honors they have been given. Usually they don't cover the entire jacket, though, they may wear only a rocker patch on each shoulder and a small patch on the front.
Other non-bikers who wear patches include police and firefighters, medics, EMTs, and sheriffs. Some other people will pick up a patch they love and add it to their jacket or other item just because they think it's neat. It might be the only patch they ever wear. Others will cover their jacket in patches, but they'll never get on a bike. The idea of wearing patches has gone beyond biker culture.
