It seems to me that women-only motorcycle events are starting to become a big trend in our motorcycle world. I’ve always struggled with women specific events because for me, personally, I don’t think they’re necessary to make me proud of being a female rider. I like to hang with the boys anyways!
I was perusing my news aggregator this morning and Steve over at Biker News Online mentioned the second annual International Female Ride Day on Friday, May 2, 2008, with lots and lots of sarcasm and even raised the question: Why do women riders need a special day to celebrate themselves?
Now, here’s my disclaimer: I’m not attacking or singling out Steve’s post for any detrimental reasons, I’m merely highlighting it because for the first time, someone posted about a women-only event with the question: Who gives a f**k?
That’s what I’m wondering. While the women’s ride to Daytona was kind of a cool thing, I also just read on Women Riders Now about the Diva Custom’s Divas Only bike show that’s happening at the end of May. Are these events a good thing or is this women-only madness spiraling out of control? Is it helping female bikers or is it setting up a precedent for women to segregate themselves from the biker community rather than being a part of it?
And just like Steve at Biker News asks: If a chick can master a motorcycle and hold her own among the biker crowd, does she need empowering?
March 31st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
It’s a great question you pose, I think the answer lies in personal belief. Is she a good rider or is she a good rider for a girl? If you believe in the former the there is no reason for women only events if you believe in the latter then women only events are a necessity.
March 31st, 2008 at 3:34 pm
I think that’s an important question. For myself, I would rather ride with guys, as women in a group tend to be petty, and I usually tend not to have too much in common with them except the motorcycle. The International Woman’s Ride Day is kind of fun, but I don’t think it’s necessary to have women’s only events everywhere. I tend to think the women are the only people who care about such things, feeling more powerful with the group than alone. The trend is there, probably created by the motorcycle industry who is trying to entice the female motorcycle buyer so they can sell more product.
Bikerchickz
March 31st, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I agree with Becky that much of the women only jazz is fuled by the motorcycle industry. I think that women who are confident in their own abilities don’t need a woman only event. The gals..umm..chicks…ummm….ladies? that are just starting out or just thinking about getting a bike are the ones most likley to feel better about having just women around them at the events or outings. Personally, as long as you can keep up, don’t whine about your ass being sore or need to stop every hour to pee, it does not matter if your man or woman….lets ride! -Crusty
March 31st, 2008 at 9:13 pm
I like the co-ed thing personally. I don’t see anything wrong with an all-girl ride once in a while. Since women show up for it, there must be interest right? Too much of anything isn’t good, so I hope they don’t go crazy with it. There’s a lot of individuality that goes with motorcycling, but as bikers, we need to stick together too - the boys and the girls.
April 1st, 2008 at 8:36 pm
Steve has some “interesting” posts over at Motorcycle Philosophy and that’s all I can say about that.
April 1st, 2008 at 9:45 pm
This topic (across many fields) has been a pet peeve of mine ever since the day I went off about Home Depot’s “Do it HERself” workshops (if she can’t learn alongside and hang with the big boys, then the only workshop she needs is how to paint…her fingernails)!! Anyway, the same basic idea holds water with motorcycling. It drives me nuts that there are so many events that single out women. “Separate but equal is inherently unequal!” So if they are holding separate events for us, in my eyes that is sending the message that we are inferior to the guys. I guess it is all part of that same corporate philosophy (quite evident in the merchandise they offer us) that all women motorcyclists are either (pardon my french) “butch” or whores.
April 2nd, 2008 at 7:06 am
I had several thoughts on this, and most of them have just been covered by Becky, Joker, Crusty and Mrs. RC. Sometimes, I wonder if the women only events are more desired by the women who don’t usually hang out with men to begin with. Heh? Personally, I like hanging with men and women, if they are my friends or just friends I haven’t met yet, I say we are all in it for the riding fun and experiences!
April 2nd, 2008 at 9:03 am
First of all, thanks to everyone for your insights (and welcome to Road Captain and Mrs. Road Captain!). I think it’s definitely a slippery-slope to have too many of these all-women events, but I think this is only the beginning. And the motorcycle industry is definitely jumping on board. How else can we explain the rampant success of Ridley’s automatic motorcycles?
April 4th, 2008 at 5:08 am
awesome question. i ride because i love to ride. the gender of my companions is insignificant. i enjoy giving a thumbs up to other chicks on bikes, but for me, my riding partners are just the peeps in my world who like to ride, male or female. it is kinda silly to make a day for any gender of riders - we all got the bug, right, so let’s just do it!
April 5th, 2008 at 10:15 am
Well said, Wendi!
April 21st, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I respectfully disagree with the poo-pooing of events for women, and I’m not clear why there would be an objection. As a 16 year female sportbike rider, I’d enjoy having more women to ride with, as well as seeing more women at the track. Currently I ride almost exclusively with men because there are so few women sportbike riders available. I don’t view women specific events as a comment on my own riding ability, I view them as a way to bring the female minority exposure to an awesome sport. Femmoto is just one example of catering to women and bringing in new riders. Bravo.