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Instructor Jan Waters says in every 10 the number of women wanting to get "Before if there was a group of bikers
students she teaches, two or three are their full motorbike licence has and there was a woman there, they'd
increased by 25% in recent years. get the, 'Cor, look at her', but not any
more.”
She says in every 10 students she
teaches through an Ipswich-based Mrs Waters, who works in Ipswich,
training school, two or three are Eye and Norwich, says motorcycling
women. is a "real community" and the best
thing is the "sense of freedom you
"When I first started motorcycling,
which was when I was 17 or 18 years have".
old, I was the only female I knew that "In a car you're encompassed, but you
women biked," says the 62-year-old. are a part of everything on the bike -
you can smell the crops, feel the wind,
"There is masses going on in the "But ladies have got a little bit more rain and cold.
world of women riding motorcycles," confident in themselves. They don't
says Sheonagh Ravensdale, BMF's perceive the same boundaries as "You also have to be mentally astute
communications director. women did 10 or 15 years ago and and much more aware because of your
they think, 'I would like to do that', and perception of hazards and potential
Ms Ravensdale, who is also a former do it." hazards has to step up a notch - [it]
president of WIMA and has been keeps you sharp."
riding for 50 years, says there have She says before women would come
been record numbers of women to get their compulsory basic training And whether you are a man or a
turning up for ride-outs and meets. (CBT) to enable them to ride a moped woman, she loves seeing her students
or 125cc motorcycle, but there has pass.
She says women's membership to
BMF has grown by 50% in the last been an increase in women taking the "Anybody who has a passion for
full motorcycle test, enabling them to
two years and the "world's largest ride large cc bikes. motorcycling, it's just a joy to see.
female biker meet" took place this "It's such a satisfying feeling if you've
summer, with 1,549 women in "It's much more acceptable for got a lady who is nervous and when
attendance. women to ride motorbikes now," she they get their licence, the smile on
says.
In Suffolk, instructor Jan Waters says their face is worth millions.” LR
