When Maggie McNally told a friend back in 1981 that she wanted to get a motorcycle, he told her that girls did not ride motorcycles.

“I thought, ‘He shouldn’t be telling a temperamental redhead what she can and cannot do,’” McNally told the Star Gazette. “I had my permit within a week.”

Now, McNally is a board member of the American Motorcyclist Association, which reports a growing female constituency every year. McNally says it indicates a nationwide shift in motorcycle ownership.

‘A Huge Part of the Market’

“Things have changed a lot,” she said. “Manufacturers today have realized that women are a huge part of the market.”

McNally and other officials say that a female-friendly market, as well as more training opportunities for female bikers, encouraged more women to consider motorcycles. Manufacturers like Harley-Davidson reach out to women with special events like “garage parties” and “women-only” training classes that teach biker basics in a less intimidating environment.

By the Numbers

Nationwide statistics from the Motorcycle Industry Council confirm McNally’s claim: from 2003 to 2009, the number of registered female bikers jumped from 4.3 million to 7.1 million, a 65 percent increase. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 3 percent of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes with automobiles were women.

We are glad to hear that more women are experiencing the thrill and freedom that comes with owning a motorcycle, while also acknowledging that it carries certain risks. If you know someone who suffered injuries or death in a motorcycle accident, we would like to hear from you. We offer a free case review to discuss your options.

Metier Law Firm, LLC – Denver injury lawyers