To call me an advocate for safe, skilled and enjoyable motorcycling would be an understatement. Motorcycling is not simply what I do—it has shaped my life, my work and who I am. More than four decades after first learning to ride, my enthusiasm for life on two wheels remains as powerful as it was on day one.
As the founder of MOTORESS® and International Female Ride Day®, I have built a career around advancing motorcycling, supporting riders of every experience level and creating greater opportunities for women within the sport. My life continues to be an ever-evolving journey through “all things motorcycling”—on the street, racetrack and world stage.
As a street and track instructor, I have had the privilege of teaching thousands of riders, from those taking their first ride to experienced motorcyclists seeking to advance their skills. My work has included training police riders in the Netherlands Antilles, conducting road-racing licencing in Europe and North America, and co-instructing race events alongside renowned Grand Prix racer Katja Poensgen.
I also created and orchestrated the first all-women track sessions at the legendary TT Circuit Assen and co-hosted a motorcycle television programme for the Discovery Channel. Among the most exciting chapters of my racing career were receiving sponsorship from Ducati and the personal support and sponsorship of Gerrit Ten Kate of the championship-winning Ten Kate Racing World Superbike and World Supersport team. These are just a few of the defining moments in a life lived passionately, purposefully and unapologetically on two wheels.
"TO MAKE CHANGE, BE THE CHANGE"
Of both Canadian and Dutch nationality, I was born in Ontario, Canada. The overall direction of MOTORESS® is set solely by my ambitions and goals for riders. It’s been said “to make the change, you have to be the change” and this is how MOTORESS®, the vehicle for my objectives in motorcycling continues to succeed.
Before become an entrepreneur, I had numerous diverse careers in business development and marketing throughout North America, Europe and The Caribbean. Market segments included were the health and beauty sector, telecoms and numerous years in the medical publication industry in Strategic Publication Planning (Excerpta Medica Amsterdam, a Reed Elsevier company).
THEN CAME RACEGIRL MOTORSPORT
It was in 1998 I founded RaceGirl Motorsport, a non-profit motorcycle training and support community headquartered in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. I ran this alongside my personal road racing activities and full time career(s). I built the renowned global brand RaceGirl and its website which was the FIRST WEBSITE IN THE WORLD for women motorcycle riders – to make a place for women in motorsport to grow. RaceGirl’s courses, on-line articles and workshops encouraged women, enhance skills and worked to expand the female motorcycle riding community – at all levels.
With RaceGirl’s explosive International growth and popularity, I decided to create to dive in full time with a brand which would speak to and satisfy the entire range of women’s riding disciplines. So, in 2005 I rebranded RaceGirl into MOTORESS® I created this name from the Dutch word MOTOR, meaning “motorcycle” and added “ess”, a suffix of femininity, to complete it. I then relocated MOTORESS® to Toronto, its current International head office.
THE INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY MOVEMENT
In 2007 I introduced International Female Ride Day with the call to action of “JUST RIDE!”. This is the only global women’s motorcycling event. Its success now over a decade has redefined it as the strongest, most substantial women’s motorcycle movement in history. A standout global occurrence and important mechanism for the motorcycle industry on a whole.
My experience rises well over 30 years as a motorcycle instructor both in North America, Europe and the Caribbean. My knowledge gained me a role in 2010 as one of the presenting instructors, and only woman, for the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme Commission (FIM) International Experienced Rider Training Symposium (ERTS). This was hosted in Canada by the Canadian Motorcycle Association (CMA) and the Canada Safety Council.
In 2012 I achieved certification as “Honda Advanced Skills Motorcycle Instructor” from Honda Japan via the Honda Driving Safety Promotion Centre Motegi, Japan. To date I am the only woman to have completed this training in the school’s history.
ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS
First Caribbean Motorcycle School (1990)
“Pro Rider” Riding School. Founded, created, ran and operated a motorcycle training school on the Caribbean Island St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles. The school was initially endorsed by Canada Safety Council. First advocate for safe motorcycling within the islands rider community.
Police Motorcycle Trainer St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles
First instructor and first woman to advance skills of St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles police force. As requested by the Police Commissioner of The Netherlands Antilles.
RaceGirl Motorsport
First global brand for women in motorsport (1998) RaceGirl Motorsport non-profit to enhance skills of already licensed riders, and encourage women to motorsport
First Women In Motorsport Worldwide Website RaceGirl Motorsport
The first global website devoted to women in motorcycling providing encouragement and enhanced skills training of already licensed riders. Popular by both genders.
First Historic Women Only Circuit Day and Track Sessions, Zandvoort, NL (EU)
First ever women’s track day sessions on Circuit Zandvoort, The Netherlands.
Women Only Circuit Day and Track Sessions TT Circuit Assen, NL (EU)
Introduced, executed and managed first ever women’s only TT Circuit track sessions during annual Landelijke Motor Dag. (2001)
Ten Kate Racing Sponsorship & Partnership.
First woman to be sponsored by and road race on Ten Kate machinery (Honda CBR600RR) in the renowned Ten Kate company history. Included Supersport 600 and Superstock 600 (EU).
Women’s Circuit Training Event TT Circuit Assen, NL (EU)
Ran, hosted and instructed at Honda Europe’s first ever women only training sessions during Honda Family Day event. Team taught track sessions and theory with MotoGP racer, Katja Poensgen along with the Dutch KNMV Motorcycle Training School.
Race Licensing Instructor via TOMS Course, NL
First female motorcycle race instructor for the RSZ Sport School’s TOMS race licensing course.
FIM + FEMA First European Women’s Cup
Support assisted creation and raced in inaugural European Women’s Race Series. Raced and gained 7 European points in the Superstock 600 class on Ten Kate (stock) Honda CBR600RR.
Women’s Night MotorBeurs NL (EU)
First to market with women riders night during the annual Dutch MotorBeurs motorcycle show.
FIM European Rider Training Symposium Instructor
For the bi-annual ERTS Instructor and only female presenting instructor in team of six for event hosted in Canada by CSC (Canadian Safety Council) and the CMA (Canadian Motorcycle Association); instructor attendees from worldwide locations. These instructor training initiatives are now led by the European Association of Motorcycle Manufacturers (ACEM) and FIM Europe.
Honda Japan Certified Instructor’s Instructor
Motegi Japan, Honda Driving Safety Centre Instructor Certification. First woman to attend, complete and be certified in the motorcycle instructor program in the school’s history.
International Female Ride Day®
First women’s worldwide, all countries inclusive motorcycle event. Founder, creator of global women riders event (2007) promoting and highlighting women riders worldwide, across all cultures, all borders.
First Female Judge Harley-Davidson Canada Custom Bike Contest
First Women Only Off Road Instructor Training Workshops
First ever women’s (via RaceGirl) off-road training days partnered with Honda and Yamaha NL (EU).
Ducati Corse Italy Book Feature (1999)
Profiled racing photo feature/interview by Ducati Press Officer, Ducati Corse Italy (Ducati racing division) Interviewed and profiled in global limited edition Ducatisti hard cover publication along with the likes of Carl Fogarty, Nicky Hayden, Lyle Lovett, and more!
Women’s European Racing Cup (EU)
The first ever European series (2005-2007) for women; one of the first women to participate (Superstock 600); provided start up support to the series creation
First Urban Scooter Training Workshops, Toronto
Provided for Toronto Ontario , motorized scooter owners (50cc – 700cc). Partnered with police motorcycle trainer to provide “traffic tactic” techniques for urban rider risk reduction.
First Edelweiss Motorcycle Tours Women Only Tour
Hosted, and assisted training of fourteen North American women in collaboration with Edelweiss Motorcycle Tours. Program consisted of a nine-day tour through the Austrian Alps and German Lake Region.
ACHIEVEMENT HIGHLIGHTS (cont'd)
Motorcycle Instructor + 3.5 Decades
To date trained thousands of new and advanced rider, both male and female, and all ages on skilful motorcycle operation.
Motorsport Journalist – Test Rider And Test Ride Reviewer
For all manufacturers: Harley-Davidson, Honda, Yamaha, BMW Motorrad, Ducati, Kawasaki, Royal Enfield, Suzuki, Triumph Motorcycles, Indian Motorcycle, KYMCO and more.
F.A.S.T. Race School Instructor
Famed and long standing school FAST Shannonville Ontario Canada. Instructor with focus on women’s sessions.
VRRA Race Licencing Instructor
Vintage Road Racing Association partner and on circuit instructor/coach.
Expert Witness Motorcycle Accident
Assist the Crown (Canada) in reaching its decision by providing independent expert/technical analysis and opinion on motorcycle related issue(s), based on the information provided.
Ducati Corse “Limited Edition” Italy Book Feature (1999)
Profiled racing photo feature/interview by Ducati Press Officer profiled in global limited edition Ducatisti featured hard cover publication.
Urban Scooter Training Workshops, Toronto
Provided for Toronto Ontario, motorized scooter owners (50cc – 700cc). Partnered with police motorcycle trainer to provide “traffic tactic” techniques for urban rider risk reduction.
MAG (MotorRijders Actie Group) / Motorcycle Action Group NL
Created and instructed specialised motorcycle training workshops for MAG members and volunteers. The prestigious organisation requested speciality training to advance member skills.
Promoter RAP Pocket Bike European Racing NL (EU)
Official Pocket Bike racing series coach and promoter with focus on supporter young girls. Also participated in races.
AMA Supercross Motorsport Marshal
During Toronto venue of the Supercross official AMA / FIM race series, motorsport marshal. This was in collaboration with Canadian Motorsport Association and AMA FIM Supercross World events.
