July is Women's Motorcycle Month

As Seen in Thunder Road Magazine

 

 As most readers know by now, July is Women’s Motorcycle Month. Across the United States, motorcycling is growing in popularity among men and women of all ages. According to a recent Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) survey, women now account for about twelve percent of motorcycle owners in the United States. Most riders have noticed a definite shift as women have moved from the back to the front of the bike, especially over the last ten years.

 

Here in Michigan, the number of women with a CY endorsement on their driver’s license jumped from 54,084 in 2008 to over 67,539 in 2013, an increase of 13,455 riders. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, who is actively involved in promoting motorcycle awareness and safety, was one of the first women in OaklandCounty to get her Michigan CY endorsement.

 

Women who ride seem to take safety seriously. More women are taking and completing motorcycle safety training courses, and in response to the increase in demand, many certified Rider Training Programs are offering “women only” classes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reported that of the 4,667 motorcyclists who died in crashes in 2012, 419 were women, or about nine percent. Of this group, 285 of these were riding as passengers. In total, women riders (non-passengers) represented less than three percent of the motorcyclist fatalities in 2012. Obviously, the ideal would be zero motorcyclist fatalities, and both men and women who ride need to keep fighting to promote motorcycle awareness and safety on our roads.

 

In the past, customization was often the best option for women motorcyclists shopping in a “man’s world”, but that is no longer the case. Manufacturers are sitting up and taking notice of the sharp increase in women riders: protective gear, clothing, helmets, and even bikes are now being specifically designed to meet the needs of the female market. Harley Davidson is a great example of a company that is working to attract the increasing number of female riders. Harley recently released two new motorcycles designed to appeal to women riders. A large portion of its website is dedicated to women, providing a wealth of information for female riders including tips for choosing a motorcycle and links to motorcycle safety courses. Women motorcyclists are encouraged to share their stories, and there are a number of inspiring testimonials from real women who ride. Harley has also created Garage Party, a hands-on event hosted by local dealerships, where women can come together to learn about motorcycling and view some of Harley's products and services.

 

While the availability of gear and even bikes designed with female riders in mind is a bonus, motorcycling isn’t just about the “stuff”. For most bikers, riding a motorcycle is about freedom and stress relief. Grabbing the handlebars is a way of taking control, and it appears most women riders feel the same way. Last year, Harley Davidson commissioned a study that found overall, women who ride feel happier, sexier, and more confident than women who don’t. The study also showed that female motorcyclists had better communication with their significant others, as well as more physical intimacy. In terms of stress relief, women riders who participated in Harley’s study reported feeling less stressed after they started riding.

 

From where I sit, I think the increase in ridership among women is a good thing for all motorcyclists. More bikers can only help motorcycling technology evolve, which has the potential to help increase road safety for all of us. Also, the more motorcycles car and truck drivers encounter, the more likely they are to really "see" us in intersections and in their blind spots. With high-profile role models like Secretary of State Johnson, and manufacturers catering specifically to women who ride, I hope to see this trend continue over the next decade and beyond.