Dr. Thomas Draxler is a man with many passions: “My name is Dr. Thomas Draxler. I am a health scientist. We are here in front of my practice, where I primarily treat patients with back pain.”
Yet one passion is at the top of his list: “And it was here in my practice that the story of the Jesus Bikers began.”
In 2014, Thomas founded the Jesus Bikers in Germany. In 2019, they gained international fame when they presented Pope Francis with a white Harley Davidson in Rome, which was later auctioned off for charity.
Now, the Jesus Bikers want to repeat this coup. In collaboration with German manufacturer BMW, the Witzel company from Franconia has redesigned the motorcycle in “papal style.” The Pontificial Mission Societies in Austria, called “Missio,” will then auction off the machine to support exploited children in Madagascar.
The Jesus Bikers even have their own nicknames.
“Buffalo Steff“ commented, “I didn’t have such a great childhood, so I totally support this project. I know what it means. But those kids are worse off than I was.”
“Rocky,” a Jesus Biker from Berlin, added, “Of course, many people ask questions like, ‘Hey, why are you doing this?’ I’m not the kind of person who wants to lecture or convert anyone. I always say in my simple words: Imagine, 2000 years ago there was a man named Jesus Christ, a man like you and me. And his only weapons were his words about love and mercy. That can’t be so wrong, right? And then it clicks with people and they say, ‘Hey, you’re right, you’re a great bloke!’”
For the Draxlers, the Jesus Biker tradition runs in the family, Tom Draxler, son of Thomas Draxler, shared, “What I’m most excited about is simply showing our presence, that we are on the road and sending a message that faith can also be lived. How can I put it best? We’re cool!”
The ride to Rome began on the last day of August. The first stage took the Jesus Bikers to Altötting, the most important Marian pilgrimage site in Bavaria.
During Holy Mass in Altötting, new members were welcomed into the Jesus Bikers.
“Anyone who has been baptized as a Christian and rides a motorbike can become a Jesus Biker,” Claus Dempewolf, a Jesus Biker, highlighted.
Here are his responses to further questions.
And how do you decide whether to accept someone or not?
“It is not us who decide that. It’s up to our president and our Road Captain: Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. If you want to profess your faith in Jesus Christ, then you’ve come to the right place.”
What do you all actually do?
“We ride motorcycles (laughs). Pray, bike, do good!”
Another Jesus Biker, Esther Stadler responded to other questions.
As a woman of the Jesus Bikers, you’re quite unique.
“Yes, especially since I don’t ride a motorcycle and am only a passenger. I found it really beautiful and emotional.”
Is it also beautiful to sit behind your husband on the motorcycle and hold on tight when he’s driving too fast around the curves like he always does? (laughs)
“Yes, it really is!” (laughs)
The next day, the bikers crossed the Alps and reached Italy. After a short night in Verona, the final stage was scheduled for September 2nd. In the evening, the group arrived in Rome, which was a special moment, especially for Jesus Biker founder Thomas Draxler, who shared:
“We experienced everything on the road. The cold on the Brenner Pass. We had rain. We had heat, but everyone made it. And that’s the most wonderful thing. Now this emotional moment on the Milvian Bridge. Without this event from the year 312 AD, without the battle of Emperor Constantine which took place here, we Jesus Bikers wouldn’t exist, and Christianity wouldn’t exist in this form.”
The next day, September 3, the Jesus Bikers arrived at St. Peter’s Square to present Pope Leo XIV with the motorcycle at the end of the audience.
“I prayed the rosary the whole time,” Draxler explained. “We arrived at 6:30, we waited for hours. And I just prayed my rosary. I can really put all my nervousness, all my challenges into this prayer.”
Then finally the Pope arrived.
Cistercian Father Karl Wallner, National Director of “Missio” Austria was also present for this event and shared with EWTN.
What did the Pope say when he saw the bike?
“He was amazed. He had this expression on his face. He was very person-centered. He looked at us and then he noticed this huge white Pope motorcycle. Then he signed it with enthusiasm. After that he even sat down on it!”
What happens next with the motorcycle?
“We want to auction it off professionally. And if there are people who can afford it and want to own a unique BMW Pope Leo XIV motorcycle, we hope that they will be willing to give as much as possible so that we can help as much as possible in Madagascar.”
The Pope’s motorcycle is to be auctioned in Munich on October 18th.
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Adapted by Jacob Stein
Produced by Rudolf Gehrig; Camera by Fabio Gonnella; Video Edited by Ilaria Chimenti; Special thanks & Credits to Jesus Bikers, Dr. Thomas Draxler, Missio Austria, Fr. Karl Wallner, OCist, Moritz Steegmaier Filmproduktion
