Why More Women are Riding Motorcycles Than Ever Before

Over the past 30 years the number of women riding motorcycles has nearly tripled – both in terms of percentages and in absolute numbers.

That’s a trend that is only expected to accelerate. Motorcycles have been embraced by a younger generation of female riders in particular – and especially in comparison with their male counterparts – so we can expect the gap to further close as women continue to flock to two wheels.

What’s the Explanation? 

The most basic ‘whys’ are easily understood by those already initiated. When surveyed, women provide similar sorts of answers to the allure of motorcycling. A sense of freedom, the embrace of the community, the sheer fun, the convenience of commuting on two wheels, a sense of empowerment and accomplishment, and a connection with nature are common reasons shared by men and women alike.

The Right Tools for the Job

Okay, but what’s driving the rapid growth now? There are any number of reasons, but a key one is the expansion in the availability of quality motorcycles well suited to riders of smaller statures.

So-called “beginner” bikes have largely shed the stigma of being lesser machines. Now embraced by both newcomers and experienced riders, small-displacement motorcycles have enjoyed a renaissance as riders of all stripes have come to recognize their many positive attributes, including low weight, agility, affordability, and impressive performance well matched to public highways.

And in turn, the manufacturers have responded by introducing more and more models across categories that fit this bill, while directing greater development efforts toward ensuring their lower displacement bikes are firmly on the cutting edge, both in terms of their engineering and aesthetics.

As a result, women riders – who tend to be physically smaller than men – no longer lack for capable and stylish bikes to choose from regardless of their preferred style of riding.

And the Right Gear for the Job

Similarly, the aftermarket has responded as well. Sensing an opportunity, there’s been an explosion in the amount of gear released that is especially catered to women, including helmets, jackets, and beyond.

This is further fueled by the fact that women riders have been shown to an especially receptive market, investing more time and money on their rides and accessories in comparison to male riders.

Greater Input

Women also have had an increasingly greater say in motorcycle matters, which has no doubt helped make the lifestyle more welcoming to the next generation of female riders.

This is true both in terms of lobbying efforts and in engineering disciplines, with more and more women ascending to positions of power that grant them a genuine voice in determining the future of two-wheeled endeavors.

Social Club

Female riders have been very active in organizing as a community, with hundreds of women rider motorcycle clubs popping up all over the nation in recent years. Sharing the passion only enhances the ‘whys’ of motorcycling listed above, while making real that ingrained sense of community.

Positive Feedback Loop

Finally, a trend fuels a trend. The more women motorcyclists there are, the more positive role models there are to attract even more females to the pastime.

With old stigmas erased and friends partaking, the idea of giving motorcycling a try no longer seems beyond their reach.

Similarly, as more women join the club, the manufacturers and aftermarket companies will only deepen their investment in catering to this growing market. This in turn throws more kindling on this fire with the introduction of more bikes and equipment that appeal to the demographic.

And while this rapid growth has seen women increase from 10% to 20% of the market in just over a decade, those numbers indicate there remains significant room for further growth.

In other words, women motorcyclists aren’t going anywhere. Well, actually, they are going everywhere, and you’ll only see more and more of them join the road, track, and trails moving forward.

Law Tigers: Always Here for Riders

No matter who you are or what you ride, Law Tigers is here to protect riders on every journey. If you or a loved one is ever injured in a motorcycle accident, call Law Tigers, your trusted advocates on and off the road.