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.
