Trailblazing Women in Motorcycling History
Motorcycling has long been associated with rugged independence and rebellion, but the contributions of women to the motorcycle world are often overlooked. From breaking speed records to founding clubs and competing in races, women riders have made a significant impact on motorcycle history. Here are some of the most trailblazing women who have paved the way for female motorcyclists today, and some current women who continue to support and advance motorcycling for women.
1. Effie and Avis Hotchkiss
The First Cross-Country Women Riders (1915)
In 1915, Effie Hotchkiss and her mother, Avis, embarked on an unprecedented journey across the United States on a Harley-Davidson. Effie, an experienced rider and mechanic, had a dream of seeing the Pacific Ocean, and with her mother in a sidecar, the two traveled from Brooklyn, New York, to San Francisco and back. Their adventure proved that women could handle long-distance motorcycle travel just as well as men.
2. Bessie Stringfield
The “Motorcycle Queen of Miami” (1930s-1960s)
Bessie Stringfield, an African American woman, defied racial and gender barriers by completing eight solo cross-country trips during the 1930s and 1940s. She became the first Black woman to ride across the U.S. alone and was known for her fearless spirit. She later worked as a civilian motorcycle dispatcher for the U.S. Army during World War II and eventually founded the Iron Horse Motorcycle Club.
3. Dorothy “Dot” Robinson
The First Lady of Motorcycling (1940s-1970s)
Dot Robinson was a pioneer in competitive motorcycling and co-founded the Motor Maids in 1940, the oldest women’s motorcycle club in North America. A talented rider, she competed in endurance races at a time when women were rarely seen in such events. Her club continues to promote women’s involvement in motorcycling today.
4. Theresa Wallach
Adventure Rider and Engineer (1930s-1950s)
Theresa Wallach, a British motorcyclist, rode from London to Cape Town, South Africa, in 1935, crossing the Sahara Desert on a motorcycle with no backup support. She later moved to the U.S., where she opened one of the first motorcycle mechanic schools for women. Her book The Rugged Road details her incredible journey and contributions to motorcycling.
5. Gloria Tramontin Struck
A Lifetime of Riding (1940s-Present)
Gloria Struck began riding motorcycles at age 16 in 1941 and became one of the most well-known members of the Motor Maids. Even in her 90s, she continued to ride, proving that motorcycling is a lifelong passion. She has been inducted into the Sturgis Motorcycle Museum Hall of Fame and remains an inspiration to women riders worldwide.
6. Becky Brown
Founder of Women in the Wind (1979)
Becky Brown founded Women in the Wind, an international women’s motorcycle organization that aims to educate female riders and promote camaraderie. What started as a small group of riders has grown into a worldwide network of women passionate about motorcycling.
7. Ana Carrasco
The First Woman to Win a Motorcycle Racing Championship (2018)
Ana Carrasco made history in 2018 as the first woman to win a world motorcycle racing championship when she claimed the title in the FIM Supersport 300 World Championship. Her victory shattered gender barriers in the male-dominated world of motorcycle racing.
8. Amber Cohen
Founder of Ladies in Leather (2018 - Present)
Amber “Mama” Cohen has been at the helm of the Ladies in Leather Parade & Rally since it's inception. Ladies in Leather is neither a group nor a gang, but a family of over 12,000 women who share a love for motorcycles. Celebrating 7 Years, the Ladies in Leather Motorcycle Parade is the Largest Traveling Women Rider Motorcycle Parade in the USA, along with an Epic Rally!
(Ladies in Leather Motorcycle Parade & Rally)
All in all these women have not only challenged stereotypes but have also left lasting legacies in the motorcycle community. From long-distance adventurers to racing champions, they have paved the way for the growing number of female riders today. As more women take to the road, their contributions ensure that the future of motorcycling is diverse and inclusive.
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