Motorcycling Myths About Women

It’s a man’s world! That’s clearly not what women think nowadays. People consider women as a passenger on the bike. But nowadays, riding a bike on the roads is no longer the sole preserve of men. Whether it is for freedom, adventure, spiritual experience, confidence, independence or community, women are taking to motorcycles with an increased voracity. With time, there has been a marked shift as more women seek thrill in adventure, and riding with the objective of long distance touring on two wheels. But still, there are some common motorcycle myths for women that some believe.

Myths

• Women need a ‘woman’s motorcycle’
• All women riders are short thus they need smaller and lighter bikes
• All women bikers refer to themselves as biker chicks
• They don’t ride well
• They are always the passenger
• They ride bikes just as a hobby and aren’t serious about it
• They never ride alone
• They never go very fast
• They only wear pink protective gear

Some women bikers in India always challenge these myths and prove them wrong. Ironically, while they can prove their mettle as speed demons, they are also ardent advocates for safe driving.

• Bikerni’ is a much talked about all-women biker group. Founded by Urvashi Patole, they were the first all-female motorcycle squad in India with a pan-India presence. Interested in touring, stunting and racing on geared motorcycles, they even use the motorbike as the preferred vehicle for their daily commute. Biking, they believe, is at once a source to attain nirvana and get adrenaline gushing in their veins. Bikerni aims to spearhead women empowerment through the medium of motorcycles and encourage women to go on adventures they would have never thought of visiting before.

In the last few years, women have increasingly chosen motorcycle as a means of transport. On the roads they get a mix of reactions from passersby - enthusiast waves, stares of disbelief, and even hateful comments, but as nay biker is, they are unstoppable.

Don’t be surprised if while browsing for accessories and riding gear, you come across a few items that are made especially for women – jackets, pants and boots for women riders are designed with special care. See it for yourself at http://www.trailsofindia.com/merchandise

A tech geek, who love to explore and share about the latest bike technology.