‘Uniting female bikers’: Third annual Women in Moto show inspires more women to take up two wheels

More than 1500 enthusiastic bikers descended on Uttoxeter Race Course earlier this month for the third annual Women in Moto riding event.

The August 19-20 show was open to people of all genders and promised everything from guest speakers to workshops on motorcycle maintenance, as well as sessions on how to safely pick your bike up after a drop – and even yoga classes.

“When I began to enjoy my biking a bit more, I wanted to meet more women and very quickly realised it was very difficult to [do that],” event organiser and Women in Moto founder Lindsay Atkinson, from Stafford, told MCN.

“I’ve come from a catering and events background and have worked in hospitality since I was 14 or 15 years old,” the Kawasaki Z1000 rider continued. “I moved to events when I was about 19, and it kind of came naturally for me to think: ‘hold on, I’m going to plan an event of my own’.”

This year was the first time the event had been run at the Staffordshire venue, having outgrown the previous location where it had been run since 2021.

“A lot of people made friends at the show,” the 37-year-old organiser continued. “My aim of uniting female bikers is going in the right direction. It all just ran so smoothly, and the exhibitors put their all into it.”

One of the many exhibitors was Honda UK, who brought along a test fleet for show-goers to sample, as well as hosting a ‘Ride Free’ paddock for complete newcomers to get their first experience of two wheels in a safe and controlled environment.

“They are the next generation coming through, who will go to motorcycle shows for the next 20 or 30 years and it’s nice to see them riding a bike,” Atkinson continued. “The feedback has been good enough that I want to do it again. Everyone says that they will come back, and bring even more people.”

Lindsay’s comments were echoed by 18-year-old motorcycle racer Lissy Whitmore, who appeared at the show as a guest speaker. Talking to MCN, she said: “We sparked a fair amount of interest in racing and it’s just nice to see the amount of women who ride.

“It’s really lovely to see and it’s going to grow for sure,” the Bourne-based rider continued. “It’s fantastic and I love coming here. All the organisers are lovely and all the people I get to meet.”

Organiser Lindsay says she now plans to try and attract more manufacturers to future events, to help inspire more women to get involved with two wheels.

“It will benefit the whole industry, because they are targeting the new generation,” she added. “That’s my aim.”

For more on the event and for future information, visit the Women in Moto website.