Last Update: 3 December 2024
Our friends the Bikerni, India’s first women’s motorcycle association, celebrated their fifth anniversary on Sunday 17 January. In honour of the occasion the group enjoyed a motorcycle ride to Karnal Lake in Haryana.
For The Bikerni co-founder Urvashi Patole, this was only a “mini-trip”, as the group included a few inexperienced riders as well. The community has come a long way since its inception in 2011 in Pune, said the 27-year-old Urvashi. “The Bikerni was formed to fill the void that exists in the male-dominated motorcycling community. Me and Firdaus Shaikh, the other co-founder, shared the same passion and hence began the journey,” she said.
In five years, The Bikerni has attracted over 400 active members, with chapters in Delhi, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Kolkata, Pune, Mumbai and Chennai. Members range in ages from 18 to those in their 50’s.
In 2013, the group organised the largest all-women motorcycle expedition from Delhi to Khardung La in Ladakh, which won them a special mention in the Limca Book of Records. The route includes the highest motorable road in the world.
“It was a dream come true. We were a group of ten women and we chose to ride on Royal Enfield motorcycles, which is considered rather macho,” added Urvashi.
Exciting Records for Women
The association now targets to achieve a much bigger record, but the plan is being kept under wraps. “We intend to set more exciting records — those that will have international certification. Besides, efforts are on to connect those who are spread in the remotest corners of the country,” said Shabnam Akram, an active member.
She added that The Bikerni aims to spearhead women empowerment through the medium of motorcycles. “Why should women hesitate in anything? We want to encourage women to go on adventures they would have never thought to go on before. Besides, at Bikerni we teach women to ride bikes, we help them source bikes and gear. Bike maintenance workshops are also organised for them,” added Shabnam.
Happy Anniversary Bikerni!
*source Press Release/Photocredit: Sushil Kumar Verma
