| 'Party' draws new bike crowd |
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| Friday, 07 March 2008 | |
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Mary Ann Harrison is a shy, mild-mannered government office manager and a grandmother of five.
But this summer, Harrison will be atop a gleaming chrome Harley Davidson, riding fast and free under the hot summer sun. That's the plan, anyway. Harrison was one of about 50 women who cruised by Prairie Motorcycle Ltd. on Thursday night for a "Garage Party" geared at introducing women to motorcycling. It's something Harrison has been thinking about for a long time. "I've never been on a bike before at all. I've never even sat on one, ever," she laughs, giving a lush red touring bike an appreciative gaze. "I think it's going to be fun," she says. Store co-owner and lifetime bike enthusiast Caron Zora-Hertzog says women are the fastest growing demographic in the bike industry, currently making up more than 10 per cent of American motorcycle drivers. Zora-Hertzog said the Garage Party is a way for women who are interested in biking to learn more about motorcycles in a non-intimidating, fun and female-friendly environment. The informational sessions included basic motorcycle operations and safety, customizing motorcycles to suit women riders and choosing appropriate riding gear. Valerie Zora, who works at the store and was described at the event as "the quintessential woman motorcyclist in Regina," said she's glad to see so many women getting interested in biking. Zora says she got hooked when she moved to Regina in the 1980s, and met a crowd of people who were into motorcycles. Like many women, Zora started out as a passenger, but she wasn't at the back of the bike for very long. "Everyone I knew rode their own bikes," she said. "I figured if they could do it, I could. It's nice to do it by yourself." She says some women have a lot of misconceptions about biking, including that small women have to ride small bikes. In fact, Zora says a lot of women have been getting into bigger bikes lately, knowing that "as long as you can touch the ground and move it around, you can ride it." "I find it relaxing, a great stress release," she said. "When you're out there you don't think of anything else. All the problems disappear. That's what's so nice; it's nice to have your own alone time." Bridal store manager Karen Malcolm says she's been riding with her husband until now, but is ready to take the handlebars herself. "All my girlfriends ride and I would really like to ride alone," she says. "I think there's more independence." Carmelle Ens agrees. Ens also wants to shift gears from passenger to rider, in part because her sister, Nicki, rides alone. "It's control of something that you don't need a man for," Carmelle says. "It makes it not be such a man thing. A woman can do it too." Carmelle says some of the guys she knows have been telling her how great it is to ride alone. "They say it's the most freeing thing you'll ever do," she says. Nicki Ens can attest to that. Her eyes light up as soon as she thinks of driving her bike. "It's free," she says. "It's open air." Jana G. Pruden, The Leader-Post Published: Friday, March 07, 2008 Related Articles:SMA Usage PolicySMA's Featured Images, Stories and Components SMA Advertising Prices & Options 2008 Advertising on SMA About Us Saskatchewan Safety Council Celebrates 30 Years of Motorcycle Training and 2008 Safety Course Dates Announced |
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| Last Updated ( Friday, 07 March 2008 ) |
