Data released recently by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC) shows that female motorcycle ownership is at an all-time high. The study indicates that at least 14 percent of US motorcyclists are women. And the figure is growing, as in 1998 they were only 8 percent of the total number of motorcyclists.

“Among younger generations of owners, the percentage of women is even higher. Slightly more than 17 percent of Gen X owners, and 17.6 percent of Gen Y owners, are women.” – this study reveals.

Ladies prefer cruisers and scooters

There is nothing surprising in that about 34 percent of the ladies prefer to ride cruisers, with the next type of two- and three-wheelers being scooters (33 percent). Sport bikes are preferred by only 10 percent of girls.

The study has many other interesting data. For example, the median age for female riders is 39, while that of men is 48. More than 57% of riding ladies buy new bikes, and over 49% perform the maintenance of the bikes themselves or have a friend/relative do this for them instead of taking the bike to a workshop.

Almost half of the female riders have a family, and 60 percent of the female motorcyclists have taken riding safety courses, compared to only 42% of the males. And, in addition, 47 percent of the riding ladies have a college or post-graduate degree.

The girls name three main reasons why they ride: “fun and recreation,” “sense of freedom” and “enjoy outdoors/nature”.