Women Motorcyclists

Motorcycling is gaining in popularity, especially among women. In 2000, there were approximately 442,000 licensed motorcyclists, with women making up about 36,000 of the total. Over the last six years, however, the number of licensed motorcyclists increased to more than 496,000, with the number of women riders rising by 12,000.

In my recently published pop-psych book, Mom and Dad’s Pearls of Wisdom… You Gotta Love ’Em (amazon.com), I share 50 vignette moments with my parents and others in which a mom or dad offered a pearl of wisdom. In one vignette (story), I tell about a husband and wife with whom I talked while sitting at an outside table at a biker bar. When they got up to leave and he walked to his motorcycle, on the back of his shirt was, “If You Can Read This, The Bitch Fell Off.” When she got up and walked to her motorcycle, nonetheless, on the back of her shirt was, “If You Can Read This, The Bitch Just Passed You.” Most importantly, they were a real neat couple and were enjoying their riding “together on their own bikes.”

If you are a woman motorcyclist – a seasoned rider, a newbie or a wanna-be – remember: safety first! And if you haven’t already done so, take a motorcycle safety course. I remember saying when I completed taking the course, “If I only learned one thing, that one thing could save my life.”

There also are some helpful and fun Internet sites for women motorcyclists. For example, there’s the Women On Wheels® Motorcycle Organization (womenonwheels.org) – it’s mission is: “To unite all women motorcycle enthusiasts for recreation, education, mutual support, recognition, and to promote a positive image of motorcycling.” Another good site is Motor Maids, Inc. (motormaids.org) which is “a diverse group of women motorcyclists united through a passion for riding while fostering a positive image and promoting safe riding skills.”

Enjoy, and remember: “Keep the shiny side up!” Bill