But yesterday the region's motorcycle riders showed their softer sides as they donated money and toys to St John's Care and the Salvation Army at the Canberra Motorcyclists' Toy Run. The 28th annual run was the largest ever, attracting more than 1000 bikers from about 10 ACT clubs, including the Ulysses Club and the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club.

The whiskered, leather-clad bikers donned red Santa caps and opened their wallets to raise more than $6500 for St John's Care, while the Salvation Army was inundated with hundreds of toys to ease the burden on battling families.

Motorcycle Riders' Association ACT president Pete Major said the combined effort was worth more than $10,000 to the charitable organisations.

The bikers met at Old Parliament House for a barbecue breakfast before the cavalcade rumbled to Woden and then north to Garema Place, Civic to deliver their donations.

Mr Major said the event was particularly important after the negative media attention surrounding the motorcycle fraternity this year.

''The media hype around the outlaw groups this year means the public tar all bikers with the same brush,'' Mr Major said.

''If you've got two wheels people say, you're a bikie; we don't like you, but 99 per cent of motorcyclists are just your run of the mill mums, dads, aunties, uncles and grandparents.''

Mr Major thanked Assembly members Mary Porter, Meredith Hunter and Brendan Smyth and senator Kate Lundy for putting political preferences aside to support the day.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times