Democratic and Republican women in the rough-and-tumble halls of Congress can agree on one thing: the thrill of riding motorcycles.
Six years ago, Rep. Becca Balint, Vermont Democrat, first hopped onto her Honda Rebel, a small cruiser, and has been rolling the roads ever since.
“I love to ride. It’s a way to absolutely clear my head and be hyperfocused on something other than politics,” said Ms. Balint, 50, a freshman lawmaker from a rural district.
Sen. Joni Ernst, an Iowa Republican and lifelong biker, co-founded the Senate Motorcycle Caucus in 2017. She said revving her Harley-Davidson on the open highway is “a great stress reliever.”
The two lawmakers celebrate International Female Ride Day, observed worldwide on the first Saturday of May. Canadian motorcycle enthusiast Vicki Gray established the annual ride in 2007.
The ride spans 120 countries. Women on two- or three-wheeled speedsters hit the road to celebrate women’s advancements in motor sports.
The growing number of female motorcyclists is also reflected in their representation on Capitol Hill.
“The women motorcycle riders are the real badasses,” said Rep. Susie Lee, Nevada Democrat. “International Female Ride Day is about elevating the cultural, social and active lifestyles of women who ride. I might even be due for a bike upgrade soon.”
Ms. Balint said she often rides the back roads of southern Vermont into Massachusetts and then to New Hampshire to clear her head and “smell the breeze.”
She said she plans to join the House Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, a bipartisan group of riders and lawmakers.
Rep. Dina Titus, Nevada Democrat, lauded International Female Ride Day as a “great opportunity to celebrate the solidarity and overall community among women who participate in motor sports and recreation.”
“As a member of the Congressional Motorcycle Caucus, I know motor sports have historically been dominated by men. The IFRD moves the entire community forward by encouraging diverse participation and involvement,” she said.
Ms. Ernst, 53, rides a Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe. She said she has been riding a motorbike since she was a preteen tooling around her family’s farm on a dirt bike.
Learning to ride was necessary “to get around the farm and back and forth to the neighbors’ house,” she said.
Ms. Ernst participates in several group rides, including the annual Roast and Ride fundraiser that supports the Freedom Foundation, a veterans service organization based in Cedar Rapids.
Rep. Claudia Tenney, New York Republican, also rides a Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe.
“It’s fun. … I don’t really have the time to ride horses anymore, [but] I would say it’s very similar, that same sort of freedom of riding a horse, riding a motorcycle,” she told Roll Call when first elected to Congress six years ago. “A horse is not as reliable as a motorcycle, but it’s just fun to go out in the countryside with my friends and enjoy a beautiful afternoon.”
Though many women on Capitol Hill prefer riding cruisers, others enjoy sport bikes, adventure bikes, dual sport bikes, cafe racers and dirt bikes.
They also engage in track riding, trail riding and motocross.
Track riding and dirt bike event organizer Marika Krejci, a former competition track rider, said she established Ruts to Racelines in 2018 to help “women build confidence and skill to become better and safer riders.”
“Track riding helps you [ride better] on the street and makes you a more focused and safer rider,” she said. “That’s why I incorporate the dirt bikes too.”
About 19% of motorcycle owners are female. According to research from the Motorcycle Industry Council, that number increases among younger riders, with Generation X at 22% and Gen Y at 26%.
In 1998, about 8% of motorcycle owners were women.
• Kerry Picket can be reached at kpicket@washingtontimes.com.
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