Report Finds More U.S. Women Are Riding Motorcycles

According to a study conducted by Kelton and commissioned by Harley-Davidson, women riders are more than twice as likely to always feel happy.

Roughly 12 percent of the country's motorcycle owners now are women – an increase of about 30 percent over the last decade, according to the latest estimate from the Motorcycle Industry Council. Photo Courtesy: Harley Davidson

(SALEM, Ore. ) - With riding season finally in full swing, motorists and motorcyclists alike might be surprised at who’s behind the handlebars.

Roughly 12 percent of the country's motorcycle owners now are women – an increase of about 30 percent over the last decade, according to the latest estimate from the Motorcycle Industry Council.

Harley-Davidson, the top-selling motorcycle brand among women in the U.S., sold more new on-road motorcycles to women in the U.S. than all other brands combined in 2013, perhaps because more women are realizing the benefits of riding can extend to their daily lives, off the road.

According to a study conducted by Kelton and commissioned by Harley-Davidson, women riders are more than twice as likely to always feel happy -- 37 percent of riders vs. 16 percent of non-riders -- and more than a third -- 34 percent -- reported thatthey felt less stressed after starting to ride.

Further, nearly four times as many always feel sexy -- 27 percent of riders vs. 7 percent of non-riders --, and nearly twice as many always feel confident -- 35 percent of riders vs. 18 percent of non-riders.

“Thousands of women have found that riding a motorcycle is a powerful way to tap into their strength, independence and confidence and take it to a whole new level,” said Claudia Garber, Director of Market Outreach for Harley-Davidson. “Research shows the positive impact riding has on women, so we invite all those who dream of the open road to get started on the journey.”

According to the Harley-Davidson Women Riders Survey, the benefits of riding continue:

• In work: More riders than non-riders (40 percent vs. 18 percent) feel extremely satisfied with their careers.

• In the mirror: More than twice as many riders as non-riders (32 percent vs. 15 percent) agree that they feel beautiful daily.

• In relationships: Women who ride are more content with communication with their significant other (60 percent of riders vs. 38 percent of non-riders) and physical intimacy (51 percent of riders vs. 35 percent of non-riders).

• In spirit: More riders than non-riders (75 percent vs. 64 percent) usually feel content instead of worried, and almost a quarter (23 percent) of riders report that they rarely or never feel anxious.

The Motorcycle Industry Council exists to preserve, protect and promote motorcycling through government relations, communications and media relations, statistics and research, aftermarket programs, development of data communications standards, and activities surrounding technical and regulatory issues.

As a not-for-profit, national industry association, the MIC seeks to support motorcyclists by representing manufacturers, distributors, dealers and retailers of motorcycles, scooters, ATVs, ROVs, motorcycle/ATV/ROV parts, accessories and related goods and services, and members of allied trades such as insurance, finance and investment companies, media companies and consultants.

Information for this story provided by Harley-Davidson and Motorcycle Industry Council