Standing out to prove a point. These are some of the women biking groups in the country
When you put on a helmet, essentially, you disappear. That’s one of the key advantages, women bikers say that they can finally enjoy the road in anonymity. Women in India are breaking gender stereotypes and taking on the open road. Meet India’s growing tribe of women bikers.
The Bikerni
The Bikerni is an all-woman biking club founded in 2011 by Urvashi Patole with 14 girls. Currently it has over 700 riders all across the country.
It began with riders simply wanting to ride their bikes and explore new places, show stunting skills and set up bike races. They are also featured in the Limca Book of Records for the largest all-women motorcycle expedition to Khardung-La; considered the highest mountain pass accessible to bikers.
Hop on Gurls
Hop on Gurls, was launched in Bengaluru in 2010 to help women learn to ride, and now has branches in Mysore and Pune. The club’s founder Bindu Reddy puts it as “just a platform for women riders to come in camaraderie”.
Hop on Gurls also conducts Bullet Riding Sessions for women and organizes bike rides and adventure activities. Hop on Gurls organizes social activities for the not-so-privileged, as well as blood donation camps in association with Sankalp India Foundation.
Biking Queens
Based in Surat, Biking Queens was started by Sarika Mehta in 2015 for super-bikers. Besides super bike riders, the group interacts with women bikers from all over India, advising those who are new to biking. The group participates in bike fests and undertakes rides across the country.
Four girls from this group established new records as the first female bikers to cover 10 countries. These 10 countries were Nepal, India, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore. They spread the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” theme all over.
Riderni
Riderni was founded by Anjaly Rajan in 2012, and is based in Ahmedabad. The group has members between the ages of 20 and 50. For the women in this group, biking is a passion and also a way of breaking gender stereotypes. The group has taken out rallies in support of Nirbhaya and also to create awareness about safety of women.
Bengal Lady Bikers
Bengal Lady Bikers – a women biking group based in Kolkata -- was founded in 2011 with two girls, and now has a count of over 100. Currently, they form small teams and set off for the hills – covering trails from Uttarakhand to Kashmir, while some of their riders go on solo trips as well. According to their motto, they have no fixed plans or seasons – they just don their helmets and get going.
Are They Exposed to Risks?
While embarking on such journeys there is always risk involved along with enjoyment. No mission can be taken without facing dangers. Hence for such women, it is important to be covered by insurance: a two-wheeler insurance, health Insurance as well as a life cover.
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