With a series of videos, expanded online content and an event for new riders at its Ohio headquarters, the American Motorcyclist Association is launching the AMA Get Women Riding campaign this month. The program promotes motorcycling to women and girls.
“Although motorcycling is a fun and accessible choice, riders must prepare with respect to proper training, safety and, of course, bike considerations,” said AMA Board of Directors Chair Maggie McNally-Bradshaw. “As true as that is for all motorcyclists, its even more true for women riders. Women and girls face additional difficulties of finding bikes and gear that fit them, of getting certain salespeople to take them seriously and—the big one—overcoming the societal stereotype that motorcycling is something for men only. The AMA Get Women Riding campaign will help change that.”
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The AMA Get Women Riding campaign is inspired by Jeanne Clendenon, a prolific motorcyclist and long-time AMA member. Clendenon, a member of the Retreads Motorcycle Club, earned many riding awards, including completing the U.S. Four Corners Tour in 21 days and winning the Retreads long-distance award four years in a row. Clendenon passed away in 2011. A recent gift from her estate contributed to this campaign.
The AMA has a long history of welcoming women to the sport, from its early affiliation with the Motor Maids, a premier motorcycling group for female riders, to more recent conferences designed specifically for women. The AMA Get Women Riding campaign includes a number of initiatives to continue the tradition of attracting more women to motorcycling.
“First, weve put together four videos—public service announcements—that promote riding to women by women,” McNally-Bradshaw said. “These videos focus on the sport, camaraderie and individual enjoyment that comes from riding. We encourage all of our members and partners in the industry to share them and help spread the word.”
“We also have re-launched and redesigned WomenandMotorcycling.com,” McNally-Bradshaw added. “Once focused on a specific event, the website now casts a much wider net, with information for new riders and great stories about women motorcyclists, both past and present. Combined with social media promotion throughout the month of May, we hope to spread the word even further.”
Also, on Saturday, May 9, the AMA will host Ladies Day at the AMA: Workshops on Motorcycles, Gear and Riding for the New Rider. Supported by local partners and dealers, the free event will feature several presenters who will answer attendees questions about how to get started in motorcycling, motorcycle types, how to choose the right gear and information on safety training.
Information about the event is at Americanmotorcyclist.com/AMALadiesDay. The first 20 attendees who register and check in at the AMA on May 9 will receive a $15 voucher that can be spent in the AMA Motorcycle Hall of Fame gift shop.
“The AMA is grateful to Ms. Clendenons estate for the support provided toward this effort,” McNally-Bradshaw said. “It was her hope that more women and girls would learn to enjoy riding as she did. Its our pleasure to launch this campaign with that goal in mind.”
For more information about the AMA Get Women Riding campaign, visit WomenAndMotorcycling.com. The videos are hosted on the AMAs YouTube channel at Youtube.com/AmericanMotorcyclist.
Editors Note: Many of you have asked if the AMA is going to hold any more Women amp; Motorcycling Conferences. We received this statement from the AMAs Board Chair, Maggie McNally-Bradshaw: “Over the years, the AMA International Women amp; Motorcycling Conferences attracted many dedicated and enthusiastic motorcyclists. Just like the women featured in a series of women-and-motorcycling videos published by the AMA this month, these women are passionate about riding, keen for camaraderie and generous with their time and knowledge. Unfortunately, the financial realities of hosting this type of convention in premium locations for a small but significant segment of the motorcycling community were challenging. Attendance and sponsor support failed to meet our expectations, and recent conferences operated with significant losses.”
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I have been riding for 11 years and have attended your past three AMA Women’s Motorcycle Conferences in 2006, 2009 and 2012 and really look forward to the next one, and was actually anticipating one in 2015. This is an excellent venue to learn from other female riders from all over the world. Keep up the good work that you do. When is the next conference ?
We received an official statement on the future of the conferences from the AMA. It is posted at the bottom of this story.