 Beginning in the 1950s Chelsea Bridge became a favourite meeting place for motorcyclists , who would race across the bridge on Friday nights . On 17 October 1970 a serious confrontation took place on Chelsea Bridge between the Essex and Chelsea chapters of the Hells Angels , and rival motorcycle gangs the Road Rats , Nightingales , Windsor Angels and Jokers . Around 50 people took part in the fight ; weapons used included motorcycle chains , flick knives and at least one spiked flail . One member of the Jokers was shot with a sawn @-@ off shotgun and fatally wounded , and 20 of those present were sentenced to between one and twelve years imprisonment . 
