Motoress.com, a Canadian website for female riders initiated May 1 as a female ride day, a concept to connect women with motorcycling. The dream was to have it grow and become celebrated on an international scale. Well the dream is now being realized and there are thousands of women riders in many countries around the globe that get out on May 1 and ride!
In 2008, Australia, Greece, entire North America, England, The Netherlands and even a few Russian women got out and rode. This year Poland is joining in as well and I am sure there will be others. Even though I believe that every day is female riding day, it is nice that motoress, by adopting an official day, is receiving more recognition for female riders.
“The day was born with the need to underline the fact that many women ride and indeed enjoy motorcycling. By implementing a day where women motorcyclists simply got on their bikes and rode, it could then be viewed by all the many numbers of females riding motorcycles. This day additionally aimed to promote women in riding and encourage other women to take up the activity. Though the numbers of women riding motorcycles has increased steadily over the years, and certainly more so in recent decades (women’s social values have changed- advanced), it’s worth noting that women have always, since its birth, enjoyed motorcycling.
IS THERE A PLANNED/ PRE-DETERMINED MEETING POINT OR ROUTE?
No. The day is free to make it as you wish-–JUST RIDE! However there are many organized exciting meet-ups and rides taking place initiated by different clubs or retailers–even including city specific “kick-offs”. These you may decide to join in on–it’s all up to you.”
Harley has gone one step farther in declaring all of May as Women Riders Month. With Harley you can celebrate Women Riders Month in true Harley-Davidson fashion! Choose from two special rides in New York City and Milwaukee to commemorate International Female Ride Day† on May 1, 2009 or you can join one of the many planned local rides by contacting your local Harley dealer. You can also go to the Harley website and use their trip planning tools and create your own then post it locally to find others to join you.
Since for me every day is female ride day, this is a no brainer. I’ll be out riding and scoping out all the other women riders so that I may possibly document, with the help of my trusty digital camera, that May 1 is indeed a day celebrated by women getting out to ride.