Facts:
Women riders have been increasing by 34 percent between 1998 and 2003 according to the Motorcycle Industry council. Women make up 30 percent of the students in the Basic rider course programs according to the motorcycle safety foundation. There are more than 4.3 million women motorcyclists on the road today. Every day there are new riders hitting the road.
Women's motorcycle month celebrates the pioneers who broke down gender and racial barriers in the early days of motorcycling. The early women riders took a lot of criticism to earn the respect they have today. History includes early women riders like:
Sisters Adeline and Augusta Van Buren. The early women riders who in 1916 rode a pair of Indian motorcycles coast to coast. The first women to ride across continent. The goal of the sisters was to convince the military to allow women to help as dispatch riders delivering messages between units on the war front. The sisters were not able to sway the military but the sisters did break many stereotypes held about women in the early twentieth century.
Bessie Stringfield broke both racial and gender barriers and was known as the Motorcycle Queen of Miami She would complete eight solo cross country tours and also serve as a dispatch rider for the U.S. army in the 1930s and 1940s. Bessie was an african american who faced racially tense southern states during her many tours.
resources used include
http://www.motorcycle.com/news/july-is-womens-motorcycle-month-85113.html
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This is really cool. You don't hear of many women driving motorcycles.
ReplyDeleteI had not heard of this promotion from Motorcycle Hall of Fame Museum and Nationwide Insurance. I used to love riding on my dad's motorcycle with him!
ReplyDeleteWow, these women really went for it to make a stand for what they wanted. It is quite an accomplishment for the sisters to sway the military as far back as 1916.
ReplyDeleteI often see a pack of guys with a few women on the back. This is great.
ReplyDeleteI always love seeing women on motorcycles. Its so male dominate that its nice to know the women are appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI have always wanted to own a motorcycle. I think it makes women look so powerful!
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that July was Women's Motorcycle month! That is so interesting! I have never been on a motorcycle but I have always wanted to go on one. Maybe one day!
ReplyDeleteI had no idea there was such a time for honoring Women Motorcycle riders. Thanks for the information. Although I do not drive motorcycles, I am still proud of those women who do! Bessie Springfield is one awesome woman!
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