Why Women Are Becoming Some of the Most Skilled Riders on the Road

6 Feb

Women Who Ride — International Female Ride Day 2025 with ROC - Riders of Cooma, The Monaro & Beyond

Pre- Learner Course at HART NSW — Happy smiling faces and two women in this course that I conducted at HART, St Ives

As an instructor it’s clear to see walking onto any training range today, that there is something noticeably very different.

Women are taking up more space on the Pre-Learner Courses than ever before. I guess there is about 1 out of 5 people in a class (and sometimes more) that are women.

This is so great to see because this space has been male dominated for far too long.

“A growing community

In Australia, the number of female motorcyclists is surging. While males still outnumber females, the gap is closing. In the past two decades, the number of women riders has increased by 128%.

This growth is fuelled by riding clubs, community events, and social media groups.” Part of an article from QBE

WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?

Old Culture:

Speed
Ego
Little or no thought about riding

Modern day culture:

More about risk management
Observation
Technique
Self control

I have found that women tend to put their hand up and say that they need help with skills over “showing off” to their friends. Of course, getting extra motorcycle training leads to safer, smoother more capable riders.

Women who train and practice, are more likely to seek professional instruction via reputable motorcycle training companies. We need to rely way less on “this is what my mate said you should do” and more about listening to an instructor who has had the correct training. This will make it easier to comprehend with a step-by-step way of doing things. Women are way more receptive and often more open to feedback. They ask more questions than some of their male counterparts, I’ve found.

Motorcycle riding is definitely becoming more and more a female thing.

WE NEED TO BUST THE MYTHS

Things like:

Bikes are too heavy
I’m not strong enough
It’s a bloke thing

Let’s flip the myth by saying things like:

I learnt to handle my bike, even this heavy one. How? Learning slow riding skills
I am strong enough
I got my motorcycle lowered and I feel way more comfortable and confident. Don’t listen to a person that says, “Oh don’t lower your bike, it will stuff your handling and suspension”. If you want to lower your motorbike, then DO IT!

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS HELPING WOMEN MAKE THE DECISION ABOUT OWNING A MOTORCYCLE

Lower seat heights
Lighter overall weight
Adjustable controls
Better ergonomics for a wider range of bodies
More female instructors - way less intimidating

SO, WHAT DISGUISHES WHAT A “GOOD RIDER” LOOKS LIKE?

I’ve heard too many times, “oh my Uncle Bob is a great rider, he has been riding for over 30 years”.

Women aren’t starting to dominate motorcycling by trying to ride like men. They’re dominating it by redefining best practice. Is your Uncle Bob doing the following things:

Calm decision-making – maximising space around your bike
Solid fundamentals – learning how to control the bike, not just going fast. That’s the easy part
Situational awareness – roadcraft skills. Observation, Slow Down/Setup & Buffer
Skill built through training – do lots of courses. You can never know enough about motorcycle riding
Confidence without ego – learn skills and gain confidence, before you start challenging yourself

Motorcycling isn’t about proving anything. It’s about awareness, skill, and choice. And more women are choosing it — on their own terms.

Women are also discovering that owning and riding a motorcycle is exhilarating, fun and confidence boosting. Not to mention that you get to meet some amazing people.

There are many like-minded communities out there who are ready and willing to support every rider, especially women. I see more women on the road, than ever before, and do you know what? Our men love to see a woman on a motorcycle, joining in the fun.

FROC - Female Riders of Canberra

East Coast Female Riders

ROC - Riders of Cooma, The Monaro and Beyond