More women are getting on two wheels

Recent stats reveal increasing trend in female bikers

Posted: 21 December 2010
by Visordown News
Couldn't find a pic of Gemma on a bike so you'll have to make do with this...

LATEST Government statistics show 14 per cent of people taking their test are women, say the Motorcycle Industry Association.

Over 60% of the ‘Get On’ Free Riders at the recent Motorcycle Live Event were women, including TV presenter Sarah Cawood and actress Gemma Atkinson.

‘A list’ celebrity women such as Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have all taken to riding bikes and scooters but its time that more girls started to join the growing ranks.

Speaking in the sub-zero temperatures currently sweeping the nation, Steve Kenward, MCI’s CEO commented: “ There has never been a better time for people to start riding, and Get On makes it easy. The industry would love to see more women joining the motorcycle community. Improvements in motorcycle clothing, that will keep you warm and safe as well as the technological advances in the bikes mean there is no reason why more people can’t enjoy the benefits of a bike, all year round.

“Saving money, shortened journey times and flexibility are just some of the benefits of getting on two wheels and as the statistics show people are riding more than ever with an increase of almost half a billion miles travelled now than a decade ago.”



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Discuss this story


neville yeo
more pictures, less writing please.

Posted: 21/12/2010 at 13:45


RK
Top totty

Posted: 21/12/2010 at 14:13


Hedgehog5
why did my google search on "Gemma Atkinson riding" bring me to this page?

Posted: 21/12/2010 at 15:47


bim
i never tire of looking at that photo

Posted: 21/12/2010 at 20:30


User 72990

airbrushed ass


Posted: 22/12/2010 at 13:44


bikerjude
That's one of the reasons women aren't riding bikes - can't live up to that!

Posted: 22/12/2010 at 14:13


Andy Campbell

If there were a lot more women taking their test this year than there were last year then that would be something to shout about.  There is a difference. 

This sounds a lot like bullsh*t.  There were a much greater number of bikes on the road 10 years ago.  The industry was thriving and there were a lot more people taking their test, including many more women than today.

Usual rubbish from Mr Kenward et al.


Posted: 22/12/2010 at 16:28


Coffae

Thanks for making us women into objects yet once again.

 Losers


Posted: 22/12/2010 at 17:01


stephen clark
poor gemma, she could struggle to find leathers with a fine figure like that. 

Posted: 22/12/2010 at 17:28


Grim Beard
If we want to get more women onto 'bikes (which I think we should) then we need a 'biking community that women can feel part of. If you want to feature this Gemma Atkinson as an example, why not choose a picture of her in her riding gear, on her 'bike? OK, your caption says you 'couldn't find' one but did you try calling her agent? Or maybe you could have chosen some other lady-biker for the image?

Posted: 22/12/2010 at 17:37


neville yeo
coffae i agree, but I think you will find that her objects are man made, at her request and that she was keen to show all to all.

Posted: 22/12/2010 at 19:59


Curvy Rider
As a woman biker, I really am disappointed that this image has been used. It's just a gratuitous excuse to show a woman naked. Well done guys for making women feel like objects. If ladies out there have read beyond the initial post, please pop in to www.curvyriders.co.uk for a real life look at women in biking.

Posted: 23/12/2010 at 07:28


d A

How about a picture of Maria Costello, Jenny Tinmouth or even young Nicole MacAleer instead

I suppose the manmade enhancements help Gemma keep the weight of her wrists while she is on a bike as she can use them to prop herself off the tank


Posted: 23/12/2010 at 11:44


neville yeo
curvy rider, your brolly man image is just so disgusting its degrading to men,and your curvy women are obviously not shy in showing their curves. I can see why your so disapointed.  its  nothing to do with her being pretty or appealing to the vast majority of red blooded men (not to mention a big slice of your gender) its something way more personal than that, and its one of the most ugliest of traits and it begins with the letter J.

Posted: 23/12/2010 at 18:54


antimagneto
How long before some GP team, bike or car, realises a flat chested girl could be worth lap time and more seat position options? Such a petite girl would make even Pedro look obese.... 

Posted: 23/12/2010 at 21:22


Jess848
I agree with Curvy Rider and dA. As a woman biker, it is disappointing that this particular image was used. Gemma is a very attractive girl with very obvious assets, however, the pose and the dress have nothing to do with biking ... or the increase in women bikers. Poor neville yeo, steriotying us - it has about as much to do with jealousy as the image has to do with women bikers.

Posted: 23/12/2010 at 23:29


Dos
WOW! That pic. really brought out the pretty women haters club.   Good luck with that .  

Posted: 24/12/2010 at 04:40


townie

More women would be riding bikes if the industry looked at frame sizes. My partner is a more natural rider than me, but struggles to find a bike to sit on, particularly racing style frames that her feet comfortably touch the floor when stationary. I'm not tall myself and find some a real stretch.

You only have to look at the average BSB meeting to see that bikes are equally popular with women, so why are the bikes mainly targetted at fella's. Personally the more women who are riding the bettter. It will only strengthen the industry and sport, and that's good for every body.


Posted: 24/12/2010 at 13:55


Foreigner

Dos - I happen to be a gay female rider, so I can obviously appreciate the above photo. However, I agree with the Curvy Rider, dA and Jess, it doesn't really belong in this article. There are so many photos of notable women riders on their bikes which would be a much better addition.

I know a few female friends who really wanted to get into riding but were so intimidated, until they finally met or saw other women riding, and finally took the plunge. Potential women riders need to see role models, not half naked ones.

 townie - spot on! considering the motorcycle industry deserately needs new riders to join, they'd better get their act together soon.


Posted: 24/12/2010 at 16:10


snev
foreigner, can you explain why your friends were so intimidated cuz to me its simple , you buy a bike and ride it I have never been able to tell the difference between males and females whilst riding, due to the helmets and neither do I care. just get on and ride its how it makes you feel that counts, i'll nod cuz im glad you are out there doing it too , regardless of sex or bike choice.

Posted: 24/12/2010 at 17:16


Foreigner

For some of my friends, they were intimidated because they were made to feel it's not something women do. Riding motorcycles is not traditionally aimed at women. This is changing gradually, but you go to any bike show out there and it's obvious bikes are marketed towards men. A lot of women still get into riding thanks to encouraging family members or boyfriends/girlfriends. I personally think the industry could get a lot more women on bikes, and at younger ages, if the message changed a little.

To be fair, some of the nicest most respectful guys I've met ride motorcycles, and they've always made me feel very welcome. With others (thankfully a much smaller percentage), they make it clear I have to earn their respect, simply because I'm a woman. Sometimes it's more subtle, either it comes out through comments from coworkers, or that look of confusion you get walking alone into a dealer's.

Like you say it's how riding makes you feel that counts, and I wish more people got to experience it without being made to feel they have something to prove. For someone trying to get on, being treated like you can't be taken seriously just because you've got the 'wrong accessories', is pretty discouraging.


Posted: 24/12/2010 at 19:49


snev
Im a male and i love to ride , allways have, i also love women and allways will. my Mums a woman and shes the dogs !I for one welcome averyone who wants to ride .....even harley riders (wait for it) its something that the vast majority of the general public cant and will never try but the simple fact is we are only here for a few years and bikes are the most fun thing you can do apart from have wild sex with someone you love ( please correct me if you know of anything better) Merry Christmas and a happy new year to you all.

Posted: 24/12/2010 at 20:16


Ronnie Simpson
Not sure what pic you were looking at but i never saw anyone naked

Posted: 25/12/2010 at 00:09


Fatboy_Tim

I'm a young guy who's a dedicated biker (riding for 7 years and still haven't bothered taking my car test yet) and I agree that biking should be enjoyed by all.

I'm not going to start on the picture choice of this article (media is all about attention grabbing sensationalism after all) but on the frame issue, I agree that smaller built people (both sexes) should be considered in the biking world. I accept that manufacturers have to justify their investments into R&D, etc, but of all the bikes I've owned (GN125, ZXR400s, CBR400R, RVF400R, ZXR750R, '98 Blade Hyosung GT-125 (), DRZ400SM, '02 R6 and currently a Husky SM450R) the most fun I've ever had was my RVF (albeit SMs are a wilder sort of fun ). Bring back 400s!!

If they were made now, with modern technology and styling, I think there would be less intimidation (at least to physically riding them) for girls out there who want to ride. But at the same time, the thinking person would buy one to hassle all the "big boys" on track days... And I'm first in line!

But seriously for the girls out there who are reading this and haven't taken the plunge yet, go for it and get a proper bike. PLEASE don't get scooters though, mainly the Piaggio-type ones! Most in London are ridden by "car driver" minded people but they are a danger to all (absolutely oblivious to everything and everyone), including other bikers.

I'm trying not to stereo-type here, but at the end of the day you won't learn how to ride a real bike by riding one of them (breaking, handling, control, etc).

Most importantly though, don't let people or articles/pictures like this put you off. It can't really be denied that Gemma is a bit of eye candy but if/when she rides a bike, she'll look just like me (in her gear, natch)!

Bikers are supposed to be a family (i.e. will accept everyone without prejudice) and as far as I'm concerned, everyone's welcome in mine.


Posted: 25/12/2010 at 12:57


Fatboy_Tim

Grammer error:

Make that "braking"...


Posted: 25/12/2010 at 13:01


townie
Just seen an article on MCN about Chesca Miles, stunt rider. She has clearly gone for a more artistic semi nude shot. I think it's the individuals choice to appear in glamour / art / nude shots, however I think the issue is that the articles are discussing the riding credentials of the women concerned, and the images shown are not in context with the particular articles, and therefore are going to upset a number of female riders, because its not every article that Rossi, Toseland , Spies etc are getting their Kit off, (except being haslam and his girlfiends misjudged photospread in motorcycle racer).

Posted: 27/12/2010 at 17:30

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