HARLEY-DAVIDSON DECLARES MAY WOMEN
RIDERS MONTH
Motor Company Plans Events around the Globe to Celebrate
Female Riders
MILWAUKEE (February 2, 2009) - This
May the rumble from those April showers will continue a
little longer as thousands of female riders will be
hitting the open road to celebrate the first-ever Women
Riders Month.
Throughout the month of May,
Harley-Davidson is staging a series of events designed to
celebrate the number of women who have already hit the
open road on two wheels, as well as encourage even more
women to get behind the handlebars. Two of the larger
Harley-Davidson Women Riders Month initiatives include:
- Activities for the 3rd Annual International Female
Ride Day on Friday, May 1, 2009, which was founded by
Vicki Gray of Motoress.com. The day celebrates women
of all ages who take life by the handlebars by
encouraging them to ride. Harley-Davidson plans to
stage special rides in New York City and Milwaukee to
commemorate International Female Ride Day.
Harley-Davidson dealerships, subsidiaries and
suppliers across the world have been encouraged to
plan rides in their areas.
- Encouraging 100,000 women to learn to ride either by
taking the Harley-Davidson® Rider's Edge® New Rider
Course or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation® (MSF)
Basic RiderCourseSM training program. Several Rider's
Edge New Rider Courses and MSF Basic RiderCourses are
scheduled for the first weekend of May. To kick-off
this initiative, a Guinness World Record will be set
for the number of women motorcycle riders trained in
one weekend during the first weekend of May. For
information on the Rider's Edge New Rider Course or a
MSF Basic RiderCourse visit your local Harley-Davidson
dealership or log on to www.ridersedge.com or
www.msf-usa.org.
"Women have been enjoying the
sport of motorcycling for the last century," said
Leslie Prevish, women's outreach manager, Harley-Davidson.
"In the past two decades, we've seen a dramatic
increase in number of women embrace the sport. By
declaring May as Women Riders Month, we're honoring all of
the women who enjoy the freedom and adventure found in
taking control of their own handlebars."
In the past 20 years, the
percentage of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson
motorcycles has tripled, with women now accounting for
nearly 12 percent of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle
purchases.
"We know there are thousands
of women who are interested in the sport, but aren't sure
where to start," said Prevish. "We are
encouraging women to learn how to ride a motorcycle to
increase the women rider community and help them along
their journey."
During Women Riders Month, the
Motor Company also plans to showcase several other
programs it has designed specifically for women,
including:
- Harley-Davidson dealerships will also be hosting
women-only Garage Parties™ which provides a
non-intimidating environment for women to learn more
about motorcycling.
- Distributing We Ride, a comprehensive and
inspirational brochure on what a new rider or a woman
interested in riding needs to know about getting into
the sport.
- Share Your Spark™: A Guide to Mentoring is a tool
kit the Motor Company developed for current and
aspiring riders featuring information on how to be a
resource and support system to others during their
motorcycling journey.
For more information about Women
Riders Month, including the opportunity to participate in
the special International Female Ride Day rides, visit
your local Harley-Davidson dealership or log onto
www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders.
Harley-Davidson Motor Company, the
only major U.S.-based motorcycle manufacturer, produces
heavyweight motorcycles and a complete line of motorcycle
parts, accessories and general merchandise. For more
information, visit Harley-Davidson's Web site at
www.harley-davidson.com.