By R. Amanda Fernandez

Motorcycling has evolved into a unique leisure option and riding bikes is culturally perceived as a masculine activity. Prior to the emergence of motorcycle clubs and even years later, the activity was male-dominated as women possessed a subservient role with limited riding options. 

Even if women are seen on motorcycles, they are often just passengers, being driven by their sons, brothers, husbands, friends or fathers. It is rare to find women riding motorcycles because they are not considered capable enough to handle these mean machines. 

Now, together with their changing role in the society, women have shifted from the rear to the riding seat and have come to the forefront of the riding community. The passion to drive is driven and boosted by ‘The Bikerni’, a pan-India women’s bike organisation formed in 2011 to unite female riders across the country. And they ride so with utmost pride and vigour.

Women on motorcycles attract plenty of attention, but that’s not always a bad thing. The riders are happy to be on the road and they find it empowering to be able to race off on their powerful machines. 

In big cities, a woman riding geared heavy bikes is not an ‘eyebrow-raising activity’ but for a small city like Mysuru, it definitely is. Though one cannot see women on bikes on a daily basis here, riding culture in Mysuru is booming for sure. ‘The Bikerni’ is taking appreciation and mockery with chivalry.

Police hurdle

“I have had Traffic Police stop me time and again to check if I had a DL or not. And many times men in signals have given me dirty looks like I’m doing something that’s forbidden but a few times I have received applause too,” 28-year-old Kanchana Ganga, a passionate rider and a professional yoga teacher, told Star of Mysore. 

She has been riding for 9 years and now has a Bajaj Avenger. Her longest solo ride has been to Leh, Ladakh. She also claims that yoga has helped her immensely tackle any kind of body pain associated with long rides.

“Riding is the best feeling and it is addictive. Initially it might be a little hard, but never let the fear of falling or what others think. Keep riding and explore the world,” says 24-year-old Navya Prabhu, a solo rider, who’s currently pursuing her MBA. She rides a Royal Enfield Classic and has been biking since 4 years.

Sense of freedom 

“Riding a motorcycle gives me a sense of freedom and excitement. The sheer enjoyment I feel, when the air brushes past me, the sound of the engine and so on,” 21-year-old S. Soundharya exclaims.

An avid rider, she is a final year architecture student and also one of the admins of Gixxer Club Mysore. She owns a Suzuki Gixxer SF.

‘The Bikerni’ is in the city, thanks to Roshni Paul for opening a new chapter in Mysuru. It was established in 2011 in Pune by Urvashi Patole and Firdaus Shaikh. The club has its chapters in 16 cities including Mysuru.

When Roshni Paul came to Mysuru, she had given up searching for a biking community, so she branched ‘The Bikerni Mysuru’, to get in touch with riders. Presently, the club in Mysuru has more than 40 members. Roshni is an ardent rider and a mother and has covered almost half of the country on her bike. 

She rides a Pulsar Adventure Sports and has been biking since 2015. The club is open for anyone to join — learners and riders from all age groups. One can contact them via Instagram or Facebook.