Pioneers

Stories on women motorcycling pioneers including the Van Buren sisters, Vivian Bales, Della Crewe, Hazel Kolb, and more!

Woman in Motorcycling Pioneer: Mary McGee, aka Motorcycle Mary

Categories: Feature Articles, Pioneers, Way To Go, Girl!

A true pioneer of women in the male-dominated world of motorcycle and car racing, “Motorcycle Mary” McGee passed away on November 27 at age 87. An AMA Motorcycle Hall of Famer, McGee’s racing career spanned thirty years and shattered gender norms while mastering multiple racing disciplines. One of the first women to race motorcycles in motocross and road racing events in the United States, McGee inspired generations of women riders across the country with her acts of courage and always-positive outlook, despite gender backlash.

Woman in Motorcycling Pioneer: Mary McGee, aka Motorcycle Mary

Christy LaCurelle Selected as President and CEO of MIC, MSF, SVIA, and ROHVA

Categories: Feature Articles, Pioneers, Way To Go, Girl!

Women Riders Now is thrilled to congratulate Christy LaCurelle, who has been elected to become the new President and CEO of four powerful powersports associations including the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) and the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the non-profit trade association that provides vital support to the powersports industry.

Christy LaCurelle Selected as President and CEO of MIC, MSF, SVIA, and ROHVA

Elspeth Beard: One of the First British Woman to Ride a Motorcycle Around the World, Alone

Categories: Pioneers, Way To Go, Girl!

In 1982, at just 23 years old, Elspeth Beard set off on a 2-1/2 year, 35,000-mile solo adventure around the world on her 1974 BMW R60/6 motorcycle. With almost no money, but a voracious appetite to experience faraway cultures by way of two wheels, she became one of the first British woman to accomplish such a feat. Read about this incredible pioneer and find out how you can join WRN on a ride with Elspeth.

Elspeth Beard: One of the First British Woman to Ride a Motorcycle Around the World, Alone

Effie Hotchkiss —  Pioneer for Women in Motorcycling Honored by AMA

Categories: Feature Articles, Pioneers, Way To Go, Girl!

More than a century ago, Effie and Avis Hotchkiss set out on their Harley-Davidson 11-F sidecar rig from Brooklyn, New York, to complete their 9,000 mile, two-month trek to San Francisco and back. The harrowing journey was a first for women, who weren’t even allowed to dress the way they wanted back then. WRN congratulates Effie’s family with her recent induction to the AMA Hall of Fame.

Effie Hotchkiss —  Pioneer for Women in Motorcycling Honored by AMA

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