Women riders take on 146.7km
With a total of 146.7km covered, a group of female motorbike riders from Polokwane celebrated the 18th edition of International Female Ride Day (IFRD) by taking a trip to Dorsland in Modimolle.
On the first Saturday each May, women riders across the world celebrate the day under the IFRD’s motto, ‘Just Ride!’, but before making their way, the women gathered at the new BMW showroom building in Munnik Avenue for a briefing, and rode in sheer excitement afterwards.
Organiser Mariaan Coetzee said this was the third year they participated.
The IFRD raises awareness about women’s equity in motorsports and their riders are encouraged to be role models for other women, both young and old.
She said she read about the movement on the internet in 2016 and hosted an event but due to personal circumstances, her hobby had to take a backseat the following year.
Monica Rivera is the leader of another women’s biker group, and believes women should take up that space without fear of being chosen over or outshined by men.
“The bikes are designed, coming off the showroom floor mostly for men.
“While we know motorsports are maledominated, we want them to know that women are speeding up the race,” she remarked.