Why Don't More Women Ride Motorcycles?
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- Опубліковано 25 сер 2024
- HOW MANY WOMEN REALLY RIDE MOTORCYCLES?
How much of the demographics of two wheeled riders are female, and what's preventing more women into riding a bike of their own? Using some statistics from the MIC (Motorcycle Industry Council) and some responses from women in my community, I help break down some of the facts and personal stories of women who ride and those who don't yet! There are several factors at play, from finances to guilt to even just plain disinterest.
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Hello! I'm Meghan Stark, a web developer, writer, and motorcycle enthusiast living in Milwaukee, WI. I've been riding on the street since 2016 (in the dirt long before then) and currently own a 2017 Ducati Scrambler Cafe Racer. If you're interested in seeing more women on motorcycles, subscribe for more!
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As a male I too stopped riding when we started having kids, took a break for 25 years, but I'm back and having a great time on my Bonnie T100
Glad to have you back on the road!
We need more young ladies on motorbikes
The internet culture of riding and social media has supported more women getting into riding and I think that is great! I totally hear the mom-guilt, I am not a mom but it is a thought that crosses my mine for my future.
We're really lucky nowadays to get networked online! It's definitely getting more people to take the plunge
Meghan
More men ride because at an early age we are told that bikes are cool and if you want to be cool or have fun, you need a motorcycle. It starts in the dirt and progresses to the street. I had 12 dirt bikes before the age of 16. Women that LOVE motorcycles need to infect other women on how much fun it is and why they need to become riders. Every time another woman sees you park your bike, after you take your helmet off just say to her, "this is so much fun". Like yourself, you and other women riders have created their own look and style. THIS is what will attract more new women riders. THIS is how us GUYS did it from the beginning. You Ladies need to keep pushing the style, the coolness and explain the fun side of riding to other women all day long. THIS will get a lot more girls on bikes!
Peace Meghan! Great video!
🙌👏👏👏👌✌🖖🤙👍👋🙂
All this talking instead of getting on with riding a motorcycle fixed or in perfect working condition would be greater than anyone who reality seems vague. No man can fix a motorcycle unless he's been trained to do such a task. So many men have bikes in bits. I would like to see a woman, riding a motorcycle and taking us through a motorcycle brand comparative whilst on the road, riding. Men do it. They seem to go on and on about motorbikes, because I just get bored listening to rants. If you please luv, just stop talking about statistics and instead, do a video on a motorcycle you have been asked to test drive, with a helmet camera and a safety car showing you riding the thing and not go on about statistics, we women could all be more entertained rather than listening to endless blabber. Just get on with you riding a good well put together motorcycle. Please! We women can do without this ranting rambling stuff, with respect.
I want to cop off. With a mechanic. Who actually can ride a motorcycle sober! And doesn't smell of cat wee with a beard and boring personality. 😂
@@georgiana6598 What kind of crap are you on Cat Lady?
I am a Widowed old guy and agree with you Meghan. I stopped ridding because of having children and the expense. I now have three bikes and am enjoying riding a lot. I wish I had some women my age to ride with once and a while. It would be great! So come on gals helps us out here get a bike and lets ride.
As a fairly new rider… It was ignorance that stopped me! I was in the camp that assumed that riding was too risky. Now if folks would put their cell phones down, I’ll feel MUCH better! 😜 🛵
I know that there are women older than me who ride but, I don't personally know any! I started riding at 60, five years ago. I wonder what the percentage of riders in my age group are women. I never rode when I was younger because of kids. Now that they are grown and out of the house, we can go whenever we want and have the finances to do so.
Damn! You are badass, at 60 you started riding 🤯that is crazy.
@@lavonnealexander6936 Thanks!
I am a female biker in Northern Ireland ☘️ and feel like I am an advocate for girl bikers over there, especially as we are such a small country. Trying to banish the stereotypes of girl bikers & the prejudices that guys or the more elderly generation might have. It’s surprising how many opinions they will have of you, especially with you being a girl. This video speaks to me a lot, so thank you very much Meghan for raising awareness & knowledge!!🖤🤍
Yeah I definitely find that most negative opinions definitely come from the Boomer demographic! Thanks for being an advocate over in Ireland 💗🍀
Why? Are there really many men that have those prejudices there? I live on the border of the western world and the Orient on the Balkans. My wife rides and many of my biker friends have wives/girlfriends that ride too. There are prejudices about bikers in general, and I've seen a lot of hate towards bikers and towards me. But people are more careful and respectful towards my wife when she rides.
@@jordan9339 most men and elderly people are excited and supportive that someone like me is doing it, but some will tell ME to ‘just be careful’ and not my dad who I’m out riding with, or some will tell me that ‘Motorbiking is so dangerous!’ And I’m like ‘I would be stupid not to know it’s dangerous, I’ve been doing it for 2 years and I haven’t fallen off once or injured myself.’ Those people seem to think that I don’t know I’m vulnerable. Some people thinks it’s awesome, and some people would prefer to see me on the back of my dad’s bike where I’m ‘safer’.
Great Vid, Meg, Thanks.... to Answer a few of the "Q's"..... A lot of the gals I know say , " Righting the bike is a bear". It's not about the weight..... If you can sit on the bike, comfortably, (Flat-footed ), and get it off the kickstand,.... it's Not too heavy. It's all about technique. I tell the Gals " Find a bike that you fit, that's meant for your particular requirement, ( off-road, track, street), and be choosy.... Buy second hand ,(aka cheap, from a dealer...), and get something that you are comfortable with , given your skill set..... As for the weight issue..... Most new bikes, ( Honda , Yamaha, Kawasaki, Suzuki), have about 70% of the weight between your ankles.... So they really aren't top heavy.... Neither are the HD baggers for that matter. |If you can get the bike off of the kickstand and have room in the steering to do a lock to lock of the bars without stretching or straining .... you can ride it. And BTW..... Most of a girls torso strength is in her hips and legs, Sooo , Women are quite capable of riding solo .... So Ladies, It's not about the weight.. It's Technique for heavier rides. ..... Stay Safe !
I have been interested in motorcycles since I was about 17. I talked to my dad and my grandfathers and the consensus was "no you will become a road pancake " Fast forward I am now 40, married without children. Well we have fur babies. So I thought if not now? When? I want to live my life, and not be a passenger anymore. And I have itchy feet, wanderlust runs in both sides of the family. And I thought this would be a great way to feed the desire to travel without breaking the bank. Cheers. Great channel and video.
The time is now! Thank you for sharing Jamie 💓
Fact is, riding a motorcycle isn't any more dangerous for a woman than it is for a man. So I don't really understand the bias behind that. When I wanted to ride a motorcycle nobody dared argue with me or stood in my way. I had grown up on and around them my entire life, and by the time I turned 26 I was good and ready for my first bike. 17 years later, and I'm handling the 800 Suzuki Intruder I have like a boss. I say go for it!
@@SteelCowGirl4Ever the road pancake applied to anyone that was riding a motorcycle. So it wasn't just a chick thing.
I helped my 35 year-old sister become a rider and it started slowly, cheaply. We got her a Honda 500cc Magna for 1000 bucks. She already had a leather fashion jacket we modified to close at the neck, (it worked okay) a full-face helmet and some gauntlet gloves--all good prices--she added an electric vest for the cold temps. She rode that bike on her own for three years--never had a problem, just needed tires and oil changes
It's the mentor for me! I have numerous skilled family members and friends but they take little to no time for me. 😞
I know women who gave up bikes when they started a family, men have too.
Wow 😯 that sucks they didn’t have to that.
I love your intelligent clarity and your no nonsense videos. Big thanks for your thoughts Meghan!!
Thank you Tom, that's my goal! 😊
I have lots of friends who ride motorcycles, and happen to be female.
Sadly the misogynist attitude from some is off putting and offensive.
Ladies are a massive potential market, who have lots of monies to spend, it is both stupid and shortsighted to ignore them.
Please keep pushing, then things will have to change.
That’s what I’m saying!!!! They could not only tap into women to ride but to sell gear as well. Guys like to look cool while riding but so do women and there’s barely anything for women when it comes to color options and stuff. I feel like they aren’t trying anything new or tapping into a market that could make them a lot of money
@@Blueeyesinthesky Agreed, most of my female friends don't do either floral or Pink, they want quality kit, designed for the female shape, not regurgitated male kit.
I love to ride but I have recently found my choice to continue to be a struggle. Nearly 3 months ago, a was with a group of my club sisters and we were hit head on by someone who crossed the centerline on her phone. My dear friend who was leading was hit and killed. I was also hit and broke my leg. Luckily, no one else was hurt.
If my husband wasn't so supportive, I probably would have stopped. It's guilt. I saw so many people fall apart after Jodi died and so much appreciation that I am still here. I am nearly fully recovered and have another bike. Still going but it's a struggle
I have found in my years of riding women either love or hate Motorcycles. No middle ground. I encourage all comers to do what they feel is right but truthfully riding is just not for everyone.
Also, if you want to be a gr8 rider start on the dirt. Fir the street get a riding buddy and let them show you the ropes on the street ( preferably on a Sunday morning) work you way up and ride with others your skill level.
Gr8 video
Peace from Atlanta
Great tips for sure! I started out on dirt bikes as a kid and that definitely helped me get comfortable with motorcycles.
I too started on dirt bikes and I agree that it provides a great foundation for riding.
I liked what you said about the impact of finding people just talking about their experiences and the importance of the Internet in encouraging potential riders. Back in May, I got interested in learning more about motorcycling and found your channel. I don’t know anyone personally who rides. Today, I passed my MSF course. Thanks so much for your videos!
Get the equality ladies..join the ride. Bikes release less carbon than cars. Feel the wind rush on face and hair.
In my area Clovis Ca. I definitely observe that there are at least a fair percentage of women riders being about 30% most of them being sport bike riders
Young males take unnecessary risk on motorcycles. Why? Is it testosterone levels or just psychological, I don’t know. But I’ve found and proven over the years the safest way to ride is don’t take unnecessary risk and ride like your invisible. Don’t expect or assume drivers will see you. Ride like you are pray being hunted by predators. Sometimes that means riding faster than traffic on the highway. Always have a plan for an escape route in traffic. Sometimes it means illegally taking to the shoulder when traffic stops suddenly to avoid the possibility of getting smashed between cars. Ride like you’re invisible. Not invincible.
love riding my motorcycle to where it's like a drug I'm addicted and can't stop and won't ever stop
I get excited when a female rides a motorcycle, drives a big rig, manual transmission, or does manual work. 🦄🦄🦄
Have you ever had a girlfriend?
@@fintonmainz7845 As a bouncer at a str!p club, I can assure you that life is more than alright. Have you ever ate asš, or even gone down on her during a menstrual cycle? It wasn't a sexūal comment, but I can take you to the deep end.
Wow! 10% on sport bikes! I feel special🥰 The guilt is certainly REAL! I still feel guilty sometimes but that guilt helps me keep safety in mind as well. Guilt motivated so to speak😅
I'm a newer rider, I started riding last April and rode as much as I could during this summer and autumn. I'm also a mom of a young toddler and I plan on having more. The mom guilt definitely gets me! But at the same time it's probably one of my favorite ways to unwind, even if it's a 30 minute ride. I have a few girlfriends of mine who are getting into riding now too but I can see how they are a lot slower to get comfortable with it than I was. No shame in that! But I would love to have me a little girl gang out here 😉💖🔥
Thanks for discussing this question and sharing your thoughts!
- guilt for doing something considered dangerous - more riders equals more visible awareness equals reduction in danger.
- is riding at night dangerous? I find city riding and highway riding at or after sunset to be very pleasurable and I feel like my headlights and tail lights make me more visible at that time.
- my children are in the 20 to 30 age group and there seems to be greater acceptance and desire to participate among the under 30 crowd. Under 30 there seems to be greater acceptance of friendships between men and women and participating in activities together without threatening other romantic partnerships leading to more diversified hobbies and interests.
- gender conformity keeps women from the audiophile world as well - maybe equipment with horsepower, wattage or displacement specs seems like power, and power has been seen as male - I'm glad that seems to be changing!
Riding out of town is generally quite safe day or night--the real danger is city traffic. You have no protection if you have a collision. Biking is dangerous but that's part of what makes it fun--guys often feel that way. Women are more likely to stop and smell the roses more. A woman-friendly bike can sometimes get 60 mpg, a real benefit these days.
I have been riding since 1974. Central Wisconsin. My daughter just went through the Basic Rider Course last fall. She was 16. She didn't want to do the course all summer because her idea of cycle riders was old scruffy guys on choppers even though I ride a Goldwing (I might be old and scruffy though). Her class was half women but she was for sure the youngest. She cried halfway through the practice before her test because she didn't do well in one part. The instructors did a great job talking to her and she passed the test with the highest score of the class. Now she loves driving my old 1973 CB350 around in town. She is very glad she got her license now and likes tell her friends she is trying to break the image of what cycle riders are like ( At least in her mind).
I think you got some good data and I can relate to every one of these reasons. I think it is pretty accurate.
You raised a very good topic. Keep it up
I think the scene is going to keep changing with more and more women riding, esspecially that the representation on social media platforms keeps getting bigger and bigger. I cant say for sure, as Ive started to consume motorcycle related content just last year, but it definitely looks like quite a bit of women are uploading videos on youtube esspecially. Before I can bet almost all channels were men led, and maybe sometimes theyd have a female guest. IMHO the bigger demografic representation, the more people of it will get interested more
I got my license and wanted two wheels. My parents and my husband (who rides) were nervous for me and I had anxiety. So I went Canam Ryker. Everyone "feels" that is safer and in some ways it is and in others (escape routes) it isn't. Now I want two wheels again. I have gotten more comfortable being on the highway so exposed and in traffic. I also think, as much as people hate on Canam, that they are killing the woman demographic. I was the first Ryker in my area. Now there are at least five local Rykers alone with women riding them. I live in a rural area as well, so that is huge. Then there are more Spyders as well. I am looking at Triumphs.
Hello from Washington 🙋♀️I'm 31 and I ride a Piaggio Liberty S150 scooter. I went to the basic riding course about a month ago here in Richland WA, for my permit tests. the class had a total of 12 riders, 3 of us were girls. I just took (and passed, yeyyyy) the last 2 tests 2 days ago, for the actual endorsement and this time it was a group of 8 with just 2 girls 🤷♀️ i love riding my scooter! I can ride in the 60 mph highways. But I might graduate to something I can ride on the freeway in the 70 mph roads 🙃 maybe I can ride to Seattle one day 🛵🏍🛵🏍🛵
So i really wanted my wife to ride her own bike. I couldn't imagine how she could enjoy riding on the back of my bike. She did the riding course, i bought her a bike, and she hated it! She's back riding with me, says she enjoys it! Ive been riding 45 years plus, never took any course.
Yeah there's less responsibility on the back, you really get to enjoy the scenery. I can see why some people prefer it!
I've been riding off and on over fifty years. I've seen a very slow evolution.
My advice to anyone wanting to learn? If you're able, buy a cheap dirt bike and go play, first.
Ever seen the look on a dog's face when their head's out the window? Riders get that.
Dirt bikes are such a fantastic way to get started! That was my introduction
Hi Meghan... I'm from SE Wisconsin too, and here is my seat of the pants observation. Been riding around here for decades and there are definitely more females riding today, but I would only put my guestimate at 5% of all riders. I just don't see many on the road.
I'd be curious about the different demographics between rural and city as well. Hopefully there'll be more comprehensive studies with larger sample sizes.
@@MeghanStark Yes, that would be interesting. I am more of a rural rider, whereas I see you mostly in the city.
I had a lab appointment earlier this week, and my mid-40ish female lab technician told me she just got back from a week-long motorcycle trip to Arkansas on her Heritage Softail! I told her I was very jealous haha. 😊
I think in Europe most motorcycles woman ride triumphs and other classics 👍 I would have thought on two wheels with most riding scooters in Italy, Spain, Portugal though
In Portugal the government changed the rules so people with the car licence can ride 125cc after the age of 23 and minimum two years driving experience. It really led to a boom of Honda PCX in the traffic.
@@goduxunike That's pretty wise. Good for your government! We only have 50cc with car license and I wouldn't feel safe on 50cc on the city streets. 125cc is way more suitable.
@@jordan9339 the driving schools didn't like it and the statistics for accidents with two-wheelers got worse, but it has helped stimulate the economy in others ways, for sure. And I agree, after I moved to Luxembourg I was limited to 50cc and that's what pushed me to get the full motorcycle license.
Hi Meghan,
Uploaded 1 minute ago and popped up, noice!
Early squad!
@@MeghanStark Hell yeahhh XD
i was just out in my car and at the lights right beside me pulls up this woman on a harley davison fatboy . she was so athletic looking with white leather jeans and an open face met pink crash helmet and i was just in awe of her she was so damn sexy on that bike burbling away beneath her. im now thinking of becoming a part of that fraturnity and get my bike licence.
Most of women in my opinion, don't like motorcycles because of comfort factors. Why ride motorcycle from point A to point B drenched in sweat or shivering in cold while they can just drive cars comfortably and safe.
And some women riders just riding small displacement bikes like scooters and mopeds because big displacement bikes scared the shit out of them
Men and women enjoy different things and thats ok.
This is true. Although I think motorcycles for anybody to be into.
world wud b a much different place if eeeerybody rode a motorcycle.
🤘😎🤘
It'd certainly be more fun!
@@MeghanStark
✌😘
I wanted to be first 🤔 lol I just found your channel and I like it.
Hi there Megan
Yes will be interesting to see how many Z gen girls want to ride. Most Y & Z females I talk to, don't want to ride at all, and that ones that do, only ever want to ride Lam's bikes as are too scared to ride anything over that. Also they only want to ride sport bikes and are not really into cruiser style bikes. I think whether you are male or female, it helps growing up with mini bikes and then move up to road bikes with mandatory courses before hitting the road, especially moving up to a full open any size cc license. Yes agree I think too guys are probably more likely to take more risk as I did when I first started riding on my 2 stroke 350.
I feel that (over here) cost might be a factor as well. Where I live (The Netherlands) it's about 1700$ (on average) for the lessons and exams.
What's the average cost of getting a motorcycle license over there?
I live in Washington state in US and my son just paid $150.00 for a learners Class and will have to take another Class for about the same amount to get his license, The us seems to be more lenient here than in Europe.
@@johnpagejr.7628 That sounds similar to how it used to be over here 50/60 years ago. My dad just got a learners permit for the county and when he felt up to it, took the exam.
On the one hand I wish it was that cheap over here, on the other I wonder if it's up to the same standard. Over here the mandatory exams (2) include a lot of special maneuvers
@@rwiersema Yes I think you are write. There is a mandatory exam but it is very basic. I wish that it was a little more in-depth training. Thankfully there is a lot of encouragement on line to take training classes and riding schools witch do cost about what you are paying in Holland.
Are you Canadian?
I would assume Canadian stats would be the same as USA. I have never seen 20% female riders. Female passengers are at 100%. I maybe see one or two females for every 100 riders on proper bikes. I do see more females on scooters in the city. Here is a non-scientific view about females riding full size bikes: bikes are viewed as mechanically challenging and thus avoided.
Yes I feel like the manual controls deter some people from full-fledged motorcycles, and the larger perceived risk factor. But to me, being on a moped or bicycle in the city seems more dangerous!
Because they're generally more sensible regards such things. Motorcycles are so.. SO.. dangerous and humans are incredibly bad at understanding risk. Nice to buzz around on, but life is a one shot deal and it really is pot luck. Would you spin a roulette wheel if getting the wrong number meant death or paralysis?
I think it really all depends on the type of environment you ride in that has everything to do with as to whether you're going to survive or not. Riding a motorcycle really isn't any more dangerous for a woman than it is for a man. Where I'm from, I take the roads less traveled where it's nothing but wide open spaces and hardly any traffic. In the more rural areas, it's very easy to get on a motorcycle and go for a ride and come back in one piece. But if you ride in areas that are more populated with traffic lights, roads that are several lanes wide and nothing but stores and malls, then the likelihood of getting taken out and being carted off to the hospital is very imminent.
@@SteelCowGirl4Ever I wish you many happy and SAFE rides.
1/3 of women bikers ride scooters.
What's the % for men?
That's funny. Because I'm a woman and my 800 Suzuki Intruder is definitely no scooter. LOL
Hi
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