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May 1 marks return of international day celebrating women riding motorcycles

Riders in more than 120 countries expected to participate in Canadian-founded event

David Booth
Apr 30, 2021  •  May 13, 2021  •  1 minute read  •  Join the conversation
A group of California women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
A group of California women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Supplied by IFRD

What better way to spend the first day of May than riding a motorcycle? And this weekend marks something a little special, the return of International Female Ride Day to its regularly scheduled slot at the beginning of spring.

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Last year’s event, like so many gatherings, was COVID-19-delayed, but this year, riders in more than 120 countries around the globe can greet spring as it should welcomed — on their motorcycles.

That goes doubly so here in the Big Smoke since the IFRD’s founder, Vicki Gray, is a proud Canadian who founded International Female Ride Day 14 years ago. According to Gray, “IFRD is one day which celebrates women motorcyclists while promoting and highlighting the activities of women in motorcycling and their cultural equivalence.” More importantly, she says the events held around the world are an “unsurpassed celebration of female motorcycling power as well as a collaboration of women across all borders and cultures.”

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  1. International Female Ride Day founder Vicki Gray
    International Female Ride Day founder Vicki Gray Supplied by IFRD
  2. A group of Canadian women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) in 2018
    A group of Canadian women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) in 2018 Photo by Fergus McGowan /Supplied by IFRD
  3. A group of Toronto women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
    A group of Toronto women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Photo by Mondo Lulu /Supplied by IFRD
  4. A group of California women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
    A group of California women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Supplied by IFRD
  5. A group of Israeli women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
    A group of Israeli women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Photo by Shirly M. /Supplied by IFRD
  6. A group of Richmond, Virginia women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
    A group of Richmond, Virginia women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Supplied by IFRD
  7. A group of Atlanta women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
    A group of Atlanta women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Photo by Shonda /Supplied by IFRD
  8. A group of German women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
    A group of German women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Supplied by IFRD
  9. A group of North England women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day)
    A group of North England women participating in IFRD (International Female Ride Day) Supplied by IFRD

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Depending on where you live — and, of course, your local COVID-19 restrictions — there will be solo rides, socially-distanced gatherings, and women’s meetups in the cards for this, the 15th global edition of the event. It’s worth remembering that not so long ago, females made up a small portion of the motorcycling community and IFRD’s “Just Ride!” call to action evolved from the fight to just make women riding motorcycles “normal.” Now, the day aims to inspire the women who have not yet explored motorcycling to learn to ride and obtain their motorcycle license.

For more information, visit the International Female Ride Day website .

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