WHO RIDES THE WORLD? Meet WIMA – The Women’s International Motorcycle Association!

(c) WIMA

It’s happening: WHO RIDES THE WORLD is running! This month RISER is dedicating their support to women motorcyclists around the globe! With our initiative WHO RIDES THE WORLD we will be highlighting female riders, female clubs, female festivals and other great initiatives by women who all share a passion for motorcycles. But we also want to involve YOU: we want the whole community to participate and you will have the chance to WIN – find out more about that here. Make sure to stay tuned over the course of the next few weeks. We are proud to introduce to you the Women’s International Motorcycle Association!

Although it’s generally considered a male dominated sport, women are becoming exceedingly more visible in the world of motorcycles as more and more are choosing to take the road by the two wheel engine. But have you ever wondered who were the women that paved the way for modern female riders?  WIMA – Women’s International Motorcycle Association holds a history of women riders dating back to the 1930’s, women who refused to be held back by society’s norms, when women riding motorcycles was frowned upon and not always approved. Today, WIMA connects women in 25 countries, stretching over three continents, making it the largest motorcycle association for women in the world.

The women of WIMA

WIMA was founded in 1950 by Louise Scherbyn, an american woman who discovered her passion for riding in the 1930’s after many years of being a passenger on motorcycles. She was determined to learn to ride herself and soon got her hands on a 1932 Indian Scout Motorcycle which she eventually rode thousands of miles through the US and Canada. Her later possession, a 1940 Indian Scout is on display in the Springfield Museum in Massachusetts. Louise Scherbyn was active in many motoring clubs and was an associate editor of BUZZZZ, one of America’s leading motorcycle publications back in the days.

Theresa Wallach, the first Vice – President of WIMA was also a true adventurer. She was a british racer, engineer, mechanic, author and more. In 1934/5 she rode together with her friend Florence Blenkeron on a 600 cc single-cylinder Panther with a sidecar and a trailer, through Europe and the whole of Africa, starting in London and arriving in Cape Town, South Africa. Wallach was the first woman to serve as a motorcycle dispatch in the British army. She continued to ride motorbikes until she was 88 years old.

Ellen Pfeiffer was an active racer and was one of the founders of WIMA. An award in her name was established after she lead the German WIMA division for 25 years. Each year the Ellen Pfeiffer award is granted to WIMA members for outstanding contributions to the association and motorcycling.

Many more women have contributed to the development of WIMA and are still working to recognise and support women in the sport, all over the world.

WIMA today

Today WIMA hosts International Rallies in different parts of the world once a year, occasionally twice, where female riders gather. This year it is taking place in YHA Castleton, Losehill Hall in England on August 11th – 17th. Many more upcoming local rallies are taking place in the individual WIMA country divisions such as in France, Malaysia and in Curaçao to name a few.  

WIMA is for all women interested in motorcycling regardless of their age and ability.

SHOW YOUR SUPPORT FOR FEMALE RIDERS BY PARTICIPATING AND WIN A MOTORCYCLE WEEKEND GETAWAY IN THE ALPS!

RISER gives you 2 months of RISER PRO for free so you can easily participate, ride together and share your Pack Rides on your Social Media to support female riders: Activate your 2 months PRO until May 15thby clicking this link (set up a free account first) https://wg9mw.app.goo.gl/whoridestheworld .

HOW CAN YOU WIN?
Make Pack Rides together with your friends, share them with the Call to Action “Support female riders with a Pack Ride” on your Social Media channels until May 15th with #WhoRidesTheWorld and tag @riserapp (Instagram) or @riserbikerapp (FB).

The Pack that stays together for the most kilometers, wins a weekend getaway with us through the Alps – find the terms and conditions for the contest HERE.

But not only the Pack that rides together best wins! Among all participants we give away 1×5 SENA 30K Bluetooth devices for you and your Pack as a second prize and among all ladies who take part in our challenge, we raffle 1 beautiful motorcycle helmet by Veldt Helmets!

START YOUR ENGINES AND SUPPORT WOMEN RIDING!

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