This entry was posted on Friday, August 29th, 2008 at 3:47 pm and is filed under Female Perspective, Motorcycle. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
Since the beginning of the 20th century when the first motorized bike hit the road, it has been mostly a male dominated sport. However, women are making up a larger segment of todays motorcycle riders. 43 million women and more every day. The most recent research by Motorcycle Industry Council states a 34% increase in the number of women riders between 1998 and 2003. According to Motorcycle Safety Foundation, across the U.S. nearly 30% of students in learn-to-ride Basic Rider Courses are women.
Today, manufacturers of motorcycles, as well as motorcycle protective gear, are actively wooing a rising number of females to purchase their products to trick out our bikes and our bodies. This article briefly focuses on 3 remarkable women who paved the way for todays women riders.
In 1916, Sisters Adeline and Augusta Van Buren made a record-breaking coast to coast ride on Indian motorcycles. They were the first women to make the transcontinental ride solo on 2 motorcycles. They hoped to convince the military that women were able to serve as dispatch riders. Even though they did not succeed they did lead the way for others and shattered conventional thinking about women in the early 20th century.
Another female motorcycling pioneer was, Bessie Stringfield, a brave African-American, broke gender barriers in the 1930’s and 1940’s by serving as a U.S. dispatch rider and competing in and completing 8 solo transcontinental tours. Some of those tours through the racially charged deep South.
Lets honor these brave and fearless women every time we ride off into the sunset.
Keep the wind at your knees.
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:05 am
Women and The Motorcycle | Cycle Leather…
Although I enjoy riding with my boyfriend on his bike, I just hate it when my jeans and his jeans get so dirty. Thanks to your site, I got us quality leather chaps to keep us protected from all the dirt and pebbles on the road. It keeps us warm, too, n…
September 3rd, 2008 at 1:06 am
Women and The Motorcycle | Cycle Leather…
Although I enjoy riding with my boyfriend on his bike, I just hate it when my jeans and his jeans get so dirty. Thanks to your site, I got us quality leather chaps to keep us protected from all the dirt and pebbles on the road. It keeps us warm, too, n…
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
Women and The Motorcycle | Cycle Leather…
If you own a motorcycle, check out this site! They offer motorcycle jackets, saddle bags, leather gloves, chaps, and many more items perfect for the any bike rider. Prices are affordable, too!…
September 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 am
Women and The Motorcycle | Cycle Leather…
If you own a motorcycle, check out this site! They offer motorcycle jackets, saddle bags, leather gloves, chaps, and many more items perfect for the any bike rider. Prices are affordable, too!…