Number of Women Riders is Growing
Number of Women Riders is Growing
Recent Survey Shows Shift in Rider Demographics
Irvine, CA (PR Newswire) – According to a recent survey, nearly 1 in 5 motorcycle owners in America is now female, compared with 1 in 10 less than a decade ago, based on data accumulated by the Motorcycle Industry Council. In fact, the data suggest that women may soon comprise ¼ of total motorcycle ownership in the U.S., a major shift in motorcycling demographics.
Among all age groups surveyed, women riders now make up fully 19% of American motorcycle owners. The survey showed the greatest growth among the younger generations, with Gen X women riders up to 22%, and Gen Y (Millennials) up to 26% female ownership.
“As the number of Boomer and mature motorcyclists shrink and are replaced by newer riders, we could soon be looking at a solid 25% of motorcycle owners being female,” stated Andria Yu, MIC Director of Communications. “We’ve seen with our own eyes many more women riders- on the roads, on the trails, on the track, with families, at motorcycling events, forming clubs and just being a part of everyday group rides. Many people in the industry have worked some 30 years to achieve this, and now the data confirms it: More and more women are getting out there and enjoying motorcycles.”
The MIC polled 2,472 adults nationwide for the 2018 Motorcycle/ATV Owner Survey. For decades, the MIC has served as the census board for American motorcycling, and they have tracked this steady growth in women owners/riders over the years. In fact, major efforts to invite more women into the world of motorcycling dates back to the late 1980s, when manufacturers and distributors formed the “Discover Today’s Motorcycling” initiative in an effort to encourage and introduce new riders to the sport. Cam Arnold, an industry exec and organizer of the “Women in Powersports” event last week in New York, stated “Throughout the 1990s and on till today, the big brands have dedicated increasing amounts of attention to the women’s market, and we’ve simply seen more and more positive imagery on TV, in movies, and in many mainstream settings where women on motorcycles are just having fun.”
Despite some studies that motorcycle ownership seems to have declined overall in the past 10 years, the MIC report indicated that motorcycling has actually grown in popularity and acceptance in American culture in recent decades, according to their survey. They found that 66% of women riders say their family and friends have a positive attitude toward motorcycles and scooters. Good news, indeed.
For more information on the Motorcycle Industry Council, visit their website: www.mic.org
Rob Brooks