They have tattooed faces, bald-shaven skulls, black-and-dandy clothes, and at first glance they look scary. But these men do not meet to assault or threaten people, but simply because they share a common passion: bicycles. Every Sunday, members of the Chilangos Lowbike Club ride together through Mexico City.

Each bike is unique, decorated with skull rims, gilded fenders, indicated bumpers or exhaust pipes, metal rear-view mirrors or an airbrush Mexican flag.

Chilango means in Mexico a resident of Mexico City. Many of the members of the club grew up in neighborhoods like Tepito. Or they are from the town of Ecatepec, north of the metropolis. Violent acts and gang crime are part of everyday life here. Some of the members used to be delinquent once, they were gang members.

For one year photographer Jeoffrey Guillemard accompanied the club members on their bike tours through Mexico City, at lowrider events in other parts of the country, visiting them at work or at home and going to parties with them. To convince them to join the series was easy: "They are all very open and proud of their club, so they are happy to show other people what they're doing," says the photographer.

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12 pictures

Bicycle Club: Through the streets of Mexico City

In 2014, the club was founded by several men. Their goal was to break with stereotypes: not all people living in these dangerous neighborhoods are criminals. Just because the members have tattoos, piercings or dress like gang members does not mean they commit crimes.

"It's part of their cultural identity, but it's all about their style," says Guillemard. Instead, they are peaceful and friendly, many of them have children, worked as painters, welders, plumbers, cooks or dog carers.

The Lowrider culture originated in the US, Mexican immigrants, called Chicanos, created their own style in a foreign country in order to preserve a piece of their homeland. Many of them returned to Mexico bringing with them the culture that many locals took up.

Meanwhile, about a hundred people are part of the club. They wear T-shirts and a necklace with the logo and stick to the rules - as far as photographer Guillemard could observe it - no drugs, no violence and no alcohol in public. These rules are intended to protect the image of the Chilangos Lowbike Club.

Are there conflicts with criminal gangs? No, says photographer Guillemard. The bikers "stay at a distance and are very respected by their neighbors". The police have nothing against the club.

On the road, the Chilangos Lowbike Club still causes a stir, passers-by, according to Guillemard photos and admire the bikes. Some are afraid - until you know the men and women better and understand that they are just nice bike fans.