More Women Riding Motorcycles Than Ever

If you're like me, you've been trying to get your wife to try riding her own motorcycle for a change instead of sitting on the back of yours.

Some people manage it, others don't. For those who have succeeded in getting your wife on a motorcycle of her own, you're not alone.

I came across a great story featured in the El Paso Times this afternoon and had to share it with my readers - who may or may not be surprised by the numbers shown in the article.

Apparently the Motorcycle Industry Council has released statistics showing that more than 5.75 million women have made the move from the passenger's seat to behind the handlebars.

From the article:

Tim Buche, who represents the Motorcycle Industry Council, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, and Motorcycle Safety Foundation, said that in 1998, the percentage of women riders in the U.S. was only 8.2 percent, but it rose to 9.6 percent in 2003 and 12.3 percent in 2008. Even more significant, of about 2.5 million people who rode motorcycles in the United States in 2008, 23 percent - or 5.75 million - were women.

Very nice! I would imagine that more of those women would be in their 40's or older, especially with the cost of entry barrier that a Harley has, but those more mature women can hopefully lead the way for their younger counterparts.

From the article:

Cindy Barba said she enjoys the independence that riding a motorcycle gives her. According to Barba, "We are a small group and we help support each other," she said. "I am a single mother, so this is my time, this is my hobby, this is my alone time. All these girls are doing the same thing. This is their time on the bike and we all share the same interest, just being out there on our own with the wind in our face."

Sounds good to me. The more people that are on the road with two wheels, the better off all motorcycle enthusiasts.

Link to Original Story: Worlds colllide: More women taking to road on motorcycles