Windshield Flyers For 2011 International Female Ride Day

JUST RIDE! Women all over the world will unite by simply getting on their motorcycles for a ride on Friday, May 6th.

In 2011 women riders throughout Canada, United States, Australia, England, The Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Poland, Israel, Hungary, Slovakia, India, Russia, Germany and more will participate in the 5th Annual International Female Ride Day. 

To download one of three windshield flyers visit: Motoress.com "connecting women with motorcycling." 

Two Russian Women Rider's Groups Join the 2011 International Female Ride - "Moto Lady" of Biker News in Russia, along with the National Russian Motorcycle Federation will be part of the 5th Annual International Ride Day on Friday, May 6th 2011.

FIM - Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (The International Motorcycling Federation) supports International Female Ride Day - along with brands: BMW, Harley-Davidson, Kawasaki, Kymco and MV Agusta.

The ride is on a weekday to emphasize that women are not "hobby" riders. They ride to work and motorcycling is part of their lifestyle. Read more.

Supermodel Maria Miller Joins Harley-Davidson to Promote Women Rider's Month 2011

On the eve of International Female Ride Day (the first Friday in May - The 5th annual event is May 6,2011) Harley-Davidson has just announced that supermodel and Harley-Davidson enthusiast Marisa Miller will be part of the 3rd Annual Harley-Davidson celebration of May as "Women Riders Month" that includes a ride at many dealerships on Saturday, May 14th. May is also designated as Motorcycle Awareness Month.

"To recognize the increasing number of women who are hitting the open road on two wheels, as well as inspire even more women to get into the saddle of their own motorcycle, Harley-Davidson celebrates its 3rd Annual Women Riders Month this May," H-D said in a press announcement issued Thursday, May 4th.

Throughout the month of May, Harley-Davidson and their worldwide network of dealers will host a series of events to celebrate women riders, including a special day for women to commemorate the freedom and independence of riding, by hitting the open road on Saturday, May 14. Local dealerships will also host women-only Garage Parties throughout May and the rest of the riding season."

"Every time I start my motorcycle, my heart starts pumping faster," said Miller. "Learning to ride has changed my life. The challenge of riding has made me stronger and given me a new outlet for my adventurous side. I've met dozens of women riders who share my passion for the open road and I'm honored to help inspire even more women to get started on their riding journeys."

Women riders represent one of the fastest growing demographics in the sport of motorcycling. In fact, the Motorcycle Industry Council reports women now account for 23 percent of all U.S. motorcyclists and Harley-Davidson is the number one motorcycle choice among women riders.(1)


Harley-Davidson has a variety of resources available at www.h-d.com/women to help women get into the sport. The site includes inspirational stories from female riders, a "Roadmap to Riding" that shows you how you can start riding your very own Harley-Davidson in six simple steps, as well as calendars of upcoming women riders events.

International Female Ride Day - May 6th 2011

Women all over the world will unite by simply getting on their motorcycles for a ride on May 6th - In 2011 women riders throughout Canada, United States, Australia, England, The Netherlands, Greece, Italy, Poland, Israel, Hungary, Slovakia, India, Russia Germany and more- will contribute to the campaign in compelling numbers. 

International Female Ride Day whose simple theme asks women to “JUST RIDE”, is a designated day, aimed at bringing awareness to the existing and mounting numbers of women motorcyclists, a prominent escalating segment of the motorcycling community who ride just as much as their male counterparts. The is the fifth year for the global ride in unison, which is always staged on the first Friday in May.

 “We ride on a Friday to emphasize the fact that motorcycling for women is not only a hobby but something women incorporate into their every day lives," said Vicki Gray, founder of the International Female Ride Day and MOTORESS - a global online community and magazine for women riders that is based in Canada.

"Women ride to work, to school or to run errands, such as I do on my scooter in the city- it’s a reality in a woman’s life, and this day simply accentuates it. Women enthusiastically prepare to ride and unite around the world on this synchronized day - and if you look at the feedback by way of internet, it’s truly phenomenal!” said Vicki. “For the 5th year we’re so excited to welcome support and participation from National Russian Motorcycle Federation (NRMF) and equally a group of women in India who are totally on board with the action! This year many women have referred to the campaign as a ‘movement’ and really, its global size is certainly proof of that!”  

In Kingston, Ontario - The Motor Maids will be leading a women's -only ride followed by a coed BBQ at MotoSport Plus - In Toronto, there will be a ride & rally. You will find events posted from Aruba to Russia in the Facebook Group: International Female Ride Day.

Since its introduction in 2007, International Female Ride Day has continued to expand demonstrating magnificent growth. This has also been a result of the endorsement and support from the motorcycle industry and its prominent leaders, renowned female rider clubs, and international governing bodies such as Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM).

International Female Ride Day is supported by BMW MOTORRAD CANADA, HARLEY-DAVIDSON, HONDA, KAWASAKI, KYMCO, SUZUKI, ARAI, AFMQ (Association des femmes motocyclistes du Québec) , CMA (Canadian Motorcycle Association), CANADIAN BIKER, DRAGGIN JEANS, GEARING UP (Canada Safety Council), GO-GO GEAR, INSIDE MOTORCYCLES, RIDE FOR SIGHT, RIDERS PLUS INSURANCE, FIM (Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme).

See related articles about what Harley-Davidson is doing.. and photos from the first Aruba Women Rider's Day: International Female Ride Day.

Harley-Davidson Salutes Women Riders

Harley-Davidson is promoting activities throughout the month of May at nationwide dealerships in the USA to celebrate their involvement in the 3rd Annual Women Riders Month.

Women now account for 23 percent of all U.S. motorcyclists, as well as about 12 percent of new motorcycle sales for Harley-Davidson. To inspire even more women to participate in motorcycling, Harley-Davidson and its nationwide dealership network is staging a series of initiatives over the next several months including Garage Parties, Women Riders Month in May and the first-ever Biker Boot Camp for Women.

Harley dealerships throughout the country will also host a series of women-only rides on Saturday, May 14, 2011. H-D sponsored two huge rides in 2009 in Milwaukee and New York, and produced this video of the rides and women ride events all over the world.




Although Harley-Davidson has been an active participant in the past, their rides in the U.S. do not coincide this year with the 5th Annual International Female Ride Day that will include women riders across the USA and Canada, Europe/UK, China, Japan and Russia on Friday, May 6, 2011.

"We're very proud of the efforts we've made as a company to pave the way for even more women to turn their dreams of riding into reality," said Karen Davidson, great-granddaughter of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson and Creative Director, General Merchandise, Harley-Davidson. "But we know there are still thousands of women out there who dream of riding their own motorcycles, which is why we're committed to inspiring them to take the first step, as well as providing them with the necessary tools and support they need."

Women Take Daytona
Kathy Davidson led more than 100 women in the Women's MDA (Muscular Dystrophy Association) Ride during Daytona Bike Week 2011 from Riverfront Park in downtown Daytona Beach, north to Bruce Rossmeyer's "Destination Daytona" Harley-Davidson dealership in Ormond Beach.

Harley-Davidson again this year had more of a street presence and was more focused on women riders and the riding experience during the 70th Daytona Bike Week, March 4 to 13, 2011. There were demo rides and interactive motorcycle displays at Daytona International Speedway. There was also a women's area at Riverfront Park on Beach Street in downtown Daytona Beach that offered bike-lift demonstrations and the opportunity to meet Cris Sommers-Simmons (wife of the Doobie Brother's Band member, Pat Simmons.) Cris was there with her 1915 Harley, "Effie" that she rode cross-country in the 2010 Cannonball Run.

During Daytona Bike Week and at other rallies throughout the country in 2011, groups of women riders will be able to visit four informational stations set up in the Harley-Davidson women's area:

•'Motorcycle Orientation' - a basic introduction to the motorcycle controls, as well as all of the models in the Harley-Davidson family.
•'MotorClothes Gear' - to discover the important attributes needed in head-to-toe motorcycle gear, from helmets to protective leather to proper boots.
•'Motorcycle Fit and Function' - to learn how to customize a motorcycle to reflect a rider's personal style and ergonomic needs.
•'Bike Lift' - a hands-on demonstration that proves picking up a bike – even a Harley-Davidson – isn't as hard as you might think.

During Women Riders Month, the Motor Company also plans to stage the first-ever Biker Boot Camp for Women at the Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. The special camp is designed to take women's dreams of riding to reality by immersing them in the culture of Harley-Davidson, participating in the Rider's Edge New Rider Training Course and celebrating with other new women riders. Details: www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders. The site also includes a calendar of women events scheduled throughout the country.

Women Riders Month - Ladies of Harley Aruba Ride

The Ladies of Harley in Aruba joined women across the globe who have taken life by the handlebars. 

Their first ride around the island was May 23rd in celebration of Women Riders Month.

The ride kicked off with a Garage Party, May 22 at Big Twin Harley.

Caroline Peterson, a former Knock Out Model, took up riding this year and was eager to help launch the "Salute To All Women Bike Ride." 

Special Thanks to Caroline for sharing these photos.

Aruba 2011 International Bike Week Rally is October 30th to November 6th.

International Female Ride Day - Chickie Ransom in New Orleans

Friday, May 7th is International Female Ride Day and to celebrate this, Athena "Chickie" Ransom of Vagabond Choppers lead The Plantation Poker Run at Bike Week New Orleans.

The Poker Run began at the Bike Week Riverwalk Festival Venue at 8 a.m., with stops at New Orleans Harley-Davidson and four beautiful Louisiana plantations.

Oak Alley Plantation - on the Mississippi River between the historic Louisiana cities of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, called the “Grande Dame of the Great River Road."

San Francisco Plantation - the most opulent plantation on the Great River Road. Laura Plantation - a Creole treasure in New Orleans Plantation Country. The Destrehan Plantation - a majestic antebellum home, overlooking the banks of the mighty Mississippi.

The 2nd Bike Week New Orleans concludes on Sunday, May 9th, 2010.

International Women's Ride Day - May 6th 2011

The concept is simple - women all over the world connecting on the first Friday in May, every year by just riding their motorcycles... where you live, whatever brand or style of riding - JUST RIDE! This year's ride on the first Friday will be on May 6th 2011. Last year, a group of women riders in Aruba joined the ride, and this year a Russian federation of women riders will participate.

Motoress - connecting women with motorcycling - founded the international awareness day in 2007 and inspired women riders around the world to ride together and individually on the first Friday in May to celebrate the pleasure and freedom they have found in taking to the open road on two wheels - including women across the US and Canada, Australia and Cape Town.

The Aruba Women Riders launched their first ride in 2010. Follow the link to see photos of the ride and a story.

Harley-Davidson sponsored two huge rides in 2009 in Milwaukee and New York, and produced this video of the rides and women ride events all over the world.