International Female Ride Day a Success in Vancouver with More than a Hundred Women Turning Up

On the 5th of May, more than a hundred women revved their engines in unison as they set off on their motorbikes. It was the International Female Ride Day that took place over the weekend, and it showed an exciting turnout, proving how the number of female riders across British Columbia is increasing at a steady rate.

(All images taken from CBC news)

 

In fact, it is reported that approximately one in eight motorcyclists in British Columbia is a woman, and they are also the fastest growing demographic of riders in the area.

Becky Goebel, the organizer of the ride, said that “The first year that I hosted this ride about four women showed up. Today, we have over 100 women here.” It is the fifth year the International Female Ride Day event is held in Vancouver.
The incredible numbers aren’t the only thing to be proud of. The movement of female bikers to form a community is also gaining momentum.

 

“The women motorcycle community is the strongest community that I’ve ever been a part of,” Goebel said in an interview with the CBC. To her, group rides around the Lower Mainland are one way to “share the joy of being on a bike and being a chick,” she continued, almost with a hint of pride.

The female motorcycle community also goes out of their way to show support towards each other. One example would be Yuki Ochiai, who unfortunately got into an accident a while back, resulting in multiple pelvic fractures, a broken wrist and a bike blown to smithereens.Since the accident, Ochiai said that she had received “non-stop support”, and there will even be a second group ride, in the form of a fundraiser, to help with her recovery costs.

 

“So many people wanted to talk to me and make sure I was okay. Seeing the reaction of the community since my accident has just been tremendous.” She said.

Helen Whitehead, who is the woman behind the Facebook group ‘Moto Girls of Vancouver’, said that such displays of support are not uncommon. “It’s very inspiring, it’s a good sisterhood that is going on here,” she said.