HONDA (UK) supported International Women’s Day this week by helping to dispel the myth that biking is just for boys.

It’s urging more females across the UK to take advantage of the independence, convenience and fun that riding a motorcycle brings and ‘give it a go’.

Anyone thinking that motorcycling is just for the stereotyped middle aged, leather and tattoo clad greaser or speed freak twenty-something young men should think again!

Motorcycling is no longer seen as an all-male pursuit and statistics show that of the 1.5 million active riders across the UK, 20 per cent of these are now women – with the number of females taking their CBT (compulsory basic training) and full motorcycle test increasing year on year.

Jenny Tinmouth, a 30-year-old motorcycle racer from Ellesmere Port on Merseyside is one of them. She rides a Honda CBR600RR in the ultra-competitive British Supersport Championship and will embark upon her first Isle of Man TT race this summer.

Jenny said: “What I love about motorcycling is the pure grin-factor and the sheer fun of it. And it’s certainly not all about racing. I have a road bike licence and the sense of freedom, independence and also convenience you get from riding a bike is fantastic.

“Whether you’re riding a smaller 125cc scooter, a bigger sports bike, are out and about touring or even just being a pillion sitting back relaxing and taking in the scenery, the whole experience is truly amazing.

“Every girl I know who rides bikes says the same and I would recommend it to anyone, as it would be great to see more girls out there on two wheels. There’s nothing to beat it!”

General manager of Honda (UK) Motorcycles Steve Martindale said: “Motor-cycling has traditionally been viewed as a very ‘male’ interest and activity.

“But that is not actually the reality these days and it’s so encouraging to see more and more women across the country taking to two wheels.

“People ride motorcycles for a number of reasons including getting to and from college or for general commuting, to leisure riding at the weekend simply for relaxation and enjoyment.

“But research shows that 38 per cent of females actually ride a scooter or motorcycle for general daily transport, as opposed to just 23 per cent of men.

“Riding a motorcycle provides a very cost-effective, practical, sociable and also fun form of transport and leisure pastime, as well as sometimes being safer and more convenient than other modes of transport too.

“Over the last three years, at Honda we’ve certainly seen an increase in females buying bikes and not just in the smaller capacity machine sector – which is another myth about women and motorcycling – but also in the larger capacity ‘naked’ and sports bike sectors as well.

“It would be great to see more women riding bikes and taking advantage of the social and economic benefits that riding a bike can bring, and dispelling the myth even further that biking is just for boys.”

To start your motorcycling journey, simply check out the UK branch of the Women’s International Motorcycle Association at wimagb.co.uk, or visit your local Honda motorcycle dealership and ask how you can get onto two wheels and ‘give it a go’.