The Harley-Davidson Rider’s Edge New Rider Course reported a 59% increase in female participants compared to the same weekend last year.

The Motor Company also marked Women Riders Month with two events on May 1, which was designated as International Female Ride Day by Vicki Gray of Motoress.com. Karen Davidson, great-granddaughter of Harley-Davidson co-founder William A. Davidson, joined nearly 100 female motorcycle enthusiasts at an International Female Ride Day party in New York City. Meanwhile in Milwaukee, country singer Krista Marie led nearly 300 women in a ride from Miller Park to the Harley-Davidson Museum.

“The successful rides, as well as the record-setting weekend for rider training, show that thousands of women are taking the controls and learning to ride their very own motorcycles,” says Leslie Prevish, women’s outreach manager, Harley-Davidson. “And these initiatives are just the start of Women Riders Month – Harley-Davidson dealerships around the world are planning a number of exciting events to celebrate women riders, as well as encouraging other women to join our amazing sport.”

Harley-Davidson is also running several programs to encourage women to ride:

• Dealerships across the country are hosting women-only “Garage Party” events to provide women with information about motorcycling;
• The women’s section of the Company’s website, http://www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders, features stories from women about why thy ride;
• Dealerships are distributing brochures aimed for potential new female riders; and
• Harley-Davidson is providing “Share Your Spark” mentoring kits for women to help others start riding motorcycles.

Related Reading
H-D and Buell support female riders
Women in Motorcycling