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Breaking the Mould: Women Who Ride

For decades, motorcycling has been seen as a man's game—a testosterone-fuelled pursuit defined by engine noise,
leather jackets, and the camaraderie of brotherhood. But that image is rapidly shifting. While men still represent
the majority in the biking world, more women than ever are suiting up, throwing a leg over the saddle, and
claiming their place in the two-wheeled community.
To celebrate this growing movement—and to gain a deeper understanding of how the culture is evolving—we
spoke with a few of our favourite women riders. From Johannesburg to Cape Town, these women are changing
perceptions, breaking stereotypes, and proving that the freedom of the road belongs to everyone. We posed some
key questions to Ashleigh, Mercia, Lauren, Sanela, Sunette, Teresa and Zoë—each of them passionate about
motorcycling, and each with a unique story to tell.

What sparked your journey into real turning point came during a
motorcycling? women's dirt ride organised by
Woodstock Moto Co. I borrowed my
Ashleigh: “My love of motorcycles
came from my dad, Bill James. He husband's XT500, completed a
was once the mechanic for the late 200km loop with over 50 riders, and
MotoGP racer, Gary Hocking, back never looked back. Soon after, I got
in the 1960s. I started riding as a my Honda CRF250L and haven't
teenager in Bulawayo, and now, stopped exploring since.”
three generations of our family ride.” What do you love most about
riding?
Sanela: “I began with a scooter in
Miami back in 2007. In that heat, it T e r e s a : “ I t ' s a b o u t t h e
was the most practical way to get connection—me, the bike, and the
around, whether I was headed to the world around me. Even familiar
beach or a club. My husband's a places feel brand new from the
petrolhead, so when we moved to saddle. Riding awakens something in
Cape Town, he encouraged me to get your soul.”
a proper bike. That's where my riding Mercia: “It's therapy. It clears my
story really began.”
mind, lifts my spirits, and gives me a
Zoë: “Honestly, I got tired of sitting sense of peace. Through riding, I've
on the back. My boyfriend is bike- made incredible friendships and
mad and I had two choices: join him travelled to places I'd never have
or stay behind. I chose to ride—and otherwise discovered.”
I'm so glad I did.” Zoë: “For me, it's about the
Sunette: “I used to ride off-road when adventure. We've explored so many
I was younger. In 2012, I got back hidden roads across the country.
into it with a Harley-Davidson There's nothing better than a tough
Sportster 883, inspired by my day's ride through amazing scenery,
husband who rides too. These days, followed by a campfire under the
I'm on a Softail Deluxe—it's bigger, stars.”
more powerful, and suits my riding Lauren: “I love how riding gives me
style perfectly.”
time back. It takes me six minutes to
Mercia: “I always wanted to ride. My get to work—I never sit in traffic!
dad rides, so bikes were always part There's also the thrill of pushing
of my life. But somehow, it never myself to ride better, smarter, faster.
happened—until five years ago. I And yes, I enjoy proving that women
finally said, 'now or never,' bought a belong on bikes too. Sometimes I
Yamaha SR250, took lessons, and it arrive at meetings in heels and a
changed everything for me. I found dress, other times it's boots and a
my true passion.” helmet. Either way, I'm still the same
woman.”
Teresa: “Before I met my husband,
I'd never been on a motorbike. But How does it feel to be a woman in a
I've always loved adventure, and male-dominated space?
once I got on a little two-stroke Zoë: “I don't like the term 'lady
Yamaha RX100, I was hooked. My biker'—it feels condescending. We

Lady Rider Magazine 8 June 2025