FIM Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (International Motorcycling Federation) has launched a “WOMEN RIDE” video to promote women in motorcycling. This new video highlights Leslie Porterfield (FIM Speed World Record Holder), Livia Lancelot (FIM Women’s Motocross World Champion) and Laia Sanz (FIM Women”s Trial World Champion)
“This campaign is the fruit of a joint project between the FIM Commission for Women in Motorcycling and the Marketing & Communications Department. The aims are to enlarge the audience of the motorcycling community by including women and also to change the perception of motorcycling by promoting well known female ambassadors in the FIM’s communications. The FIM is ambitious to increase the visibility of women in motorcycling is by broadening the media coverage of this campaign to include industry, specialised motorcycle media as well as media for women in general.”

I understand the video explores women not only learning to ride, but rising to the height of champions, however I am less impressed by how the PR department seems to be promoting stereotypes in the “fashion” presentation of these wonderful female champions. “They are pretty, wear makeup and are all very feminine”, is less a factor in their being winners than proving they have mad skills and the passion to rise to the level of champions. I believe the merit of all three women is that they are passionate about the sport of motorcycling.