These All-Female Biker Clubs Try To Empower Women
Motorcycle clubs have been around for decades, but they've largely been part of a male-dominated trend. In 1940, a group of female bikers got together to form Motor Maids, one of the first and longest-running motorcycle clubs for women. Since then, female biker organizations have popped up all over the world.
These groups don't just bring together women who love to ride. They also empower females and encourage diversity, although some of the clubs do pride themselves on sticking to one brand, such as the Caramel Curves and their matching Suzukis. Read on to see some of the most prominent female biker clubs around the world.
VC London Both Teaches And Rides
VC London's biker location is in the name. The UK group was founded by three female friends who wanted to give women the opportunity to come together and learn. The biker club not only gets together to ride, but also for workshops and camps that enable enthusiasts to do what they love.
The members don't just stick to motorcycles, but also have the opportunity to learn about skateboarding, dirt biking, and anything else one might want to ride.
"There's More To Life Than Just Selfies"
VC London brings together like-minded individuals, and that doesn't include anyone who's only doing this for show. Their 'about' page encourages enthusiasts to "do it all" and to do it "with your hair all messed up because there's more to life than selfies."
This sentiment is echoed in their slogan, "Get out there and get dirty doing what you love." The message is all about women letting go of the desire to look perfect and instead focusing on doing what feels right.
The Motor Maids Started In 1940
At the end of the 1930s, Rhode Islander Linda Dugeau decided to reach out to motorcycle dealers and riders in hopes of connecting female bikers. Her list turned into the Motor Maids, an all-women motorcycle group formally established in 1941.
Over the following years, the Motor Maids developed a system of organization that included executive officers and a state director who acts as a middleman. The structure proved necessary as the biker club expanding across the United States, attracting female bikers who previously didn't have a group to call their own.
They Now Have Over A Thousand Members
In 1944, the Motor Maids picked their colors at a convention: Royal Blue and Silver Grey, and a shield emblem. In 2006, members decided their look was in need of an update, and swapped out the traditional style for something more suited to the biker culture.
Today, the 1,300+ Motor Maid members don black pants and black boots with royal blue long sleeves and a white vest. One thing they couldn't part with was the white gloves, which had earned the group the nickname "Ladies of the White Gloves" back in the '40s.
The Hell's Belles Formed On Halloween
According to Hot Cars, the Hell's Belles weren't an official biker gang until someone spotted them out on Halloween and asked who they were. A member blurted out "Hell's Belles," and so the female biker group was born.
Though the club is now official enough that it has a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and sergeant of arms, they aren't about hierarchy. Any member can snag one of the positions so long as they show they are loyal to the club.
They Like To Party
The Hell's Belles have managed to hold their own against other, larger groups over the years. They've since become a force of their own, spreading from the United Kingdom to the United States.
You can spot group members by the witch emblem on their backs, which is very fitting considering that the club started on Halloween. They also love to party and call their gathering place The Cauldron. Some of their typical activities include eating curry, sharing knowledge, participating in rallies, and, of course, riding.
The Devil Dolls Are Known As The "Wild West"
The Devil Dolls were founded in San Francisco in 1999. They have since expanded to include members residing from Southern California up to Washington, earning them the nickname "Wild West."
The biker club also has a sister charter in Sweden, making it an international group. The Devil Dolls website states that they are proud to have an inclusive group of moms, professionals, activists, and everything in between. The bikers are also sure to participate in charity events and do what they can to fundraise.
They Take Their Sisterhood Very Seriously
The Devil Dolls make it very clear on their website that they "are not a riding or social club." Instead, they are a serious sisterhood that has membership dues, fees, and fines. Their 'about' page also states that they "live by the code," though details aren't mentioned.
One rule that they do clarify is the kinds of bikes they accept. Once a "Harley only" club, they now accept "Triumph, BSA, BMW, Norton, and other USA or European bikes."
The Chrome Angelz Are A "No Drama" Club
The Chrome Angelz was founded by New Jersey citizen Annamarie Sesta in 2011. According to their website, the group formed out of the desire to have a drama-free biker sisterhood.
The idea quickly attracted other female bikers, and by the following year, they had a Michigan chapter as well. By 2015, the club was holding conventions in various US states. Annamarie is dedicated to traveling by motorcycle as often as possible, enabling her to meet with female bikers around the country and expand the Chrome Angelz.
Their Emblem Holds Special Significance
While many biker gangs have emblems that look cool or say something vague about the club, the Chrome Angelz put a lot of thought into theirs. The crown is meant to "represent loyalty, sisterhood, and respect."
Members consider the sword to be a symbol of integrity, and the angel wings to represent "protection and good will." The emblem is in line with the club's mission, vision, and values, which include creating a nurturing environment for female riders and giving back to the community.
The Sirens Is The Oldest Female Biker Club In New York City
The Sirens was founded in New York City in 1986, and it's been going strong ever since. They currently have 40 members, making them the oldest and largest female biker club in the Big Apple.
Similar to Las Marias, the Sirens also use fun nicknames. The current president of the club is called Panda, while the vice president is known as El Jefe. The treasurer goes by Just Ice and the Saftey Captain is referred to as Tito.
They Made Headlines For Delivering Milk
The Sirens received a ton of attention in 2017 when they started delivering milk to infants in need. As with many of the clubs on this list, their commitment goes beyond their bikes.
They teamed up with a nonprofit called New York Milk Bank to get milk to babies faster than a regular car can, especially in the traffic-heavy city. As a result, they got the nickname "Milk Riders," and every member of the group has been participating in the organization since.
The Caramel Curves Are Known For Their Style
The Caramel Curves is a female biker group based out of New Orleans, Louisiana. Residents can recognize the group by their colorful style, present in their hair, clothes, and bikes.
These ladies aren't afraid to hop on their vibrant bikes while dressed in sequins and stilettos. On top of their loud style, the members also have unique nicknames, like Quiet Storm and First Lady Fox. All of their pride comes down to female empowerment and showing women that they don't have to be afraid of being who they are.
Curvy Riders Is The Largest Female Biker Club In The UK
According to their website, Curvy Riders is the "largest, farthest-reaching female-only motorcycle club in the UK." That's quite an achievement, considering that they have only been around since 2006.
The club's name is in honor of the diverse body types that they are proud of. The group offers members advice and support. It also gives bikers the opportunity to connect at gatherings, and even has special offers and club discounts available to those who join.
They Do An Annual Three-Day National Trip
Though Curvy Riders members can be found all over the United Kingdom in places like London, Essex, and the East Midlands, they manage to unite as a group. Members are able to join more than one regional group, and they get together for special events.
The regional representatives work together to coordinate events, trips, and rides. One of the most inclusive events they offer is the annual national trip. The three-day adventure involves long-distance biking and food-filled gatherings in between.
Women In The Wind Aim To Unite, Educate, And Promote
Women in the Wind is an international female biker club with chapters in Australia, Canada, the United States, Ireland, England, Nepal, and more! Their website states that they have three components to their mission.
The first is to bring together women who share their love of motorcycles. The second is to be a positive example of female bikers. Third on the list is to keep members educated on how to properly care for their motorcycles and drive safely.
Legendary Motorcyclist Becky Brown Founded The Club
Women in the Wind was founded by none other than Becky Brown, a biker who was inducted into the Motorcycle Hall of Fame. She is so well known that you can still see her motorbike on display at the National Motorcycle Museum in Iowa.
Becky founded the club in 1979 out of a desire to created something for her fellow female bikers. The group has since expanded to include 133 chapters in various countries around the world.
The Las Marias Love "Gummy Bears"
You can easily recognize Las Marias by the "X" emblem on the back of their leather vests. Another characteristic of the group is that they use nicknames. The president of the club is called Blackbird, while the vice president is Mrs. Powers.
Their public relations person is Gummy Bear and the Sergeant at Arms is called Savage. One way you won't be able to tell them apart, though, is by looking at their bikes. The ladies ride everything from Harley Davidson Sportsters to the Beta 200.
Hop On Gurls Is Based In Bengaluru, India
Hop On Gurls is an all-female biker club founded in Bengaluru, India in 2011. The ladies ride Bullet motorcycles and teach aspiring riders how to pursue their passion. While many biker clubs expect members to know how to ride, Hop On Gurls' main goal is to teach.
Founder Bindu Reddy told ichangemycity that she wanted to give women the opportunity to learn how to ride without being dependent on family and friends. The students eventually become the teachers, so there are enough women to accommodate the growing demands.
They Encourage Leadership And Volunteering
Bindu says that their system is set up to encourage women to be leaders by turning the student into the teacher. The members also have the opportunity to lead chapters and be active volunteers.
The women organize blood drive events as a way of giving back to their community. They also spend entire days at orphanages. During their trips, the motorcyclists help teach the children where they can or at least play with them.
Femme Fatales Embraces Strong, Independent Women
Motorcyclists Hoops and Emerson founded the Femme Fatales biker club in 2011, and it now has chapters in both the United States and Canada. Their website states that the co-founders wanted to promote the strong and independent mindset that female riders exude.
The members consider themselves to be part of a sisterhood and encourage each other to revel in what makes them unique. They are connected through not only their passion for motorcycles, but also for giving back to others.
They Work With Non-Profit Organizations
The Femme Fatales are characterized by not only their passion for riding and their desire to empower one another. They also are committed to serving their community and to a number of events to benefit non-profits.
Some of these organizations include Heather's Legacy, Just for the Cure of It, and the National Cervical Cancer Coalition. Their home page mentions that the group is especially keen on helping charities aimed at serving women and children.
The Bikerni Grew To Over 100 Members Its First Year
Another female biker club founded in India the same year as Hop On Gurls is The Bikerni. The group grew to over 100 members in its first year and is still going strong.
The Bikerni Facebook page says that the club aims to encourage women to "go on adventures they would have never thought to go on before." Their page has more than 22,000 likes and states that the club is prevalent throughout India.
They Are Recognized By WIMA
The Bikerni is the only female biker club in India to be recognized by the Women's International Motorcycle Association, or WIMA. The honor is something that the group is proud of and that attracts more members to join every day.
Memberships have helped the group raise thousands through fees and donations, which the club then uses to hold charitable events. The group's notoriety and dedication to giving back has lead to them being featured in several magazines.
Sisters Eternal Takes Their Commitment Seriously
According to their website, Sisters Eternal was formed in 2013 out of a desire to make a serious female biker club where members would be held to a higher standard. This means that members not only love to ride but are also committed to the group and to community events.
Some of the trips the bikers enjoy taking are drives through Sturgis, Eureka Springs, Red River, Daytona Beach, the Grand Canyon, Winslow, Oatman, and Sedona.
This Isn't A Club For Newbies
While some of the female biker clubs on this list seek to help women get into riding, Sisters Eternal is strictly meant for experienced motorcyclists. The members are proudly diverse, but their common denominators are their skill and commitment.
Being on the same page is part of what makes the group so close-knit. Sisters Eternal is an active member of the regional Abate and US Defender Programs. They also attend regional and national motorcyclist rights and information exchange events.
The Dahlias Are Open To Members At All Levels
Where Hop On Gurls aims to teach new riders, and Sisters Eternal is for experts only, The Dahlias is a female club that welcomes all levels. The Michigan club formed out of an awareness that there wasn't a group in the area for female bikers to join.
The only requirements for joining the club is that you have to be at least 18-years-old and have a motorcycle license. The website adds, though, that even those who aren't licensed can join the group's social events.
Many Of Their Events Are For Charity
Though some of The Dahlias events are just for fun, like their Belle Isle Beach Day or their Ride to Old Miami, many are for a good cause. In 2020, they held a Ride For Change event that raised money for the Detroit Justice Center.
Before that, they did a Spring Spin event that raised money for a charity that homeless and at-risk girls. Whether they're doing a festival, bonfire, or charity event, The Dahlias certainly know how to make the most of their biker club.
