Women Motorcyclists Unite to Change Industry for Good

When Welsh rider Hayley Bell had a handlebar pierce through her stomach during a motocross accident, she was wearing a child's body armor because nothing existed for women. That near-death experience in 2019 sparked something bigger than she could have imagined.

Bell launched the Women Riders World Relay to connect every female motorcyclist on the planet. The goal is simple but powerful: give women riders a collective voice strong enough to change an industry that has long ignored them.

The relay works by passing a virtual baton through an app from rider to rider across countries. Since kicking off January 1st, nearly 50 countries have joined the journey, with thousands of women connecting across borders, cultures, and riding styles.

Australian Cathy Thatcher rode her motorcycle 3,500 kilometers from Perth to Orange, New South Wales, as her state's ambassador. After founding a women's social motorcycle club with hundreds of members, she knows the power of these connections firsthand.

"The women I have met on motorbikes, they've made me complete, and they've given me a really great purpose in life," Thatcher said.

In Mongolia, Enkh-Erdene Od-Erdene grew up in her family's motorcycle dealership and now leads tours across her country's stunning open landscapes. She joined after meeting Erin Sills, the female world record holder for fastest speed on a modified sports bike at 381.8 kilometers per hour.

New Zealand's Leigh-Anne Crane, a mother of five, discovered riding later in life and calls every ride "euphoric." From Pakistan to California, women are finding freedom, community, and purpose on two wheels.

The Ripple Effect

The relay addresses serious issues beyond camaraderie. Many women still face inadequate safety gear designed for male bodies, forcing dangerous compromises. In some countries, laws still prevent women from even getting motorcycle licenses.

By uniting riders globally, the WRWR is creating market pressure manufacturers can't ignore. When thousands of women speak together about needing properly fitted helmets, body armor, and riding gear, companies have to listen.

The movement scored a historic win for May 2026: the first-ever women-led legacy lap at the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy, one of motorcycling's most prestigious races in its nearly 120-year history.

The first relay in 2019 connected over 20,000 women riders across more than 100 countries. This year's version is already proving even bigger, powered by technology that lets riders from remote villages to major cities join the journey.

"We are all women riders, we're all the same, but we're in so many different countries and customs and cultures and religions," said joint CEO Liza Miller. What started with one woman's accident is now a global force riding toward real change.