More women are riding motorcycles and urging you to 'share the road'
CONYERS, Ga. - As the weather continues to warm up, you're bound to see more motorcycles on the roads. You'll also see more female riders on two wheels. According to the Motorcycle Industry Council, the number of female cyclists is up 50 percent in the last 10 years. Right now, women make up about 14-percent of all motorcycle riders on the road. It's still a relatively small percentage, but it's a growing group that is passionate about their bikes.
Ayanna Muhammad has ridden motorcycles for 8 years. "I just woke up one day and was like...'I want a motorcycle.' It's a freedom unlike anything ever when you're riding a bike, you can't think about anything...work, groceries, nothing. You're just enjoying the road. It's just you, the bike and that lane in front of you," explains Muhammad.
She's not alone. More and more women ride bikes. "We love seeing female riders on bikes," says Rock City Cycles General Manager, Brian "Seven" Lawson. "The companies are making gear specifically designed for women and bike manufacturers are making bikes specifically designed for female riders."
Ayanna even created Curvy Riderz Gear, for female bikers. "What makes us stand out is we actually have jackets that are shaped for women. It's just something out there for women to be safe and sexy on the road," Muhammad adds.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, so expect to see more people hopping on two wheels. "Spring fever brings people who want to get out there and be in the wind and experience what we call 'Cycle Therapy,'" says Rock City Cycles Owner, Tim "Doc" Brown.
As always, the safety message this year is a simple three words. "Share the road," says Lawson. "Share the road. Riders and drivers need to be more aware of their surroundings, but just share the road and stay in your lane."
Many riders suggest new and even seasoned riders can benefit from a motorcycle class. "Take the class. Don't go 'Oh I have a friend that's going to show me how to ride.' Take the class because all you're going to do is learn their bad habits," says Muhammad.
Wearing the right gear and making sure your motorcycle is in proper shape are the other keys to staying safe on the road. "When you're riding a motorcycle you want to be able to go home to the ones you love and that's why you protect yourself, because if you don't wear the proper gear, if you don't do all those things, then you're not going to be able to go back home and that's what it's all about...going home," adds Brown.
Rock City Cycles, in Conyers, is hosting an event for the ladies Saturday for International Female Ride Day. They say after your ride, come by the event and the men will be washing the ladies bikes.
Rock City Cycles
1018 Iris Dr SW, Conyers, GA 30094
May 7. 2016
3-6pm