"Having never ridden a motorbike before, I first started my journey on two wheels at the age of 58. Don’t let age put you off learning to ride with IAM RoadSmart, you will only improve and gain more confidence."
We make better drivers and riders
Here IAM RoadSmart, we’ve been improving road safety for nearly 70 years. Our Advanced Rider course alone helps thousands of motorcyclists improve their skills and on-road confidence every year. As the UK’s leading road safety charity, we understand that motorcycling is a passion that brings people from all walks of life together, irrespective of age, gender, or disability.
That’s why we’re proud to shine a spotlight on the incredible stories of women in our riding community. Riders who have defied stereotypes and shattered barriers to pursue their passion. Read on to discover their incredible journeys, we hope they encourage others to follow their passion, wherever it may lead.
Discover more about Advanced Riding
Meet our female rider community:
Niki:
“Standing at just over 5’0” and weighing about 42kg, everyone said I was wasting my money and that I would never be able to ride the type of bike I wanted. Except one person, who said, “of course you can!” and that was enough for me to go with it. I dropped my bike a lot during the first few months, but the day I fought the gravity and won, I felt like a complete winner!
Fast forward to 2021 and 3 bikes later, I was in Scotland, riding the NC500 and fighting strong winds, I was screaming inside my helmet for protection.
After I crossed the mountain, I looked back and felt like the best biker in the world, and being an Advanced Rider by then truly helped! Now I have ridden all across Europe, with more trips planned.
I believe that when one truly desires something, the impossible becomes possible.”
Roxanne:
“I got my first bike at 16, a Suzuki GP 50, it looked like a proper little motorbike. I would explore the South and South-West of England roaming round the lanes of Hampshire and venturing to Penzance to visit Grandparents. Like many other women, when children came along, I needed a car instead.
After 20 years without a bike, I decided it was time to get back to riding. The jump from an old Honda to a modern 1050 was the catalyst for joining my local Group and completing my Advanced Rider course, to ensure I was riding to the best standard I could following many years away from biking. I am proud to say I have now become a member of Yeovil Freewheelers Blood Bikes.
I am also starting my Masters training this year, as I believe that keeping your training and skills to the highest level, is the best way to be a safe rider. To female potential riders, just go for it! You will learn so much from your Advanced training!” ”
Anna:
“When I first got into riding, I knew it was something I NEEDED to do. There was no better feeling than the freedom of 2 wheels. Shortly after getting my licence in 2007, I attended a BikeSafe session, which was a real eye-opener to road positioning, observation and bike control.
I attended a training session with Somerset Road Safety, and the main instructor discussed the Advanced Rider course. I had a Taster Session with Bristol Advanced Motorcyclists, and my Observer Rachel was a total badass on the bike, showing me that height didn’t matter and skills were to be learned.
After passing my Advanced Test, I also completed my Masters with distinction! I have met some amazing people within my biking community and the members of my local Group supported me through some tough times. To other women riders, representation matters. Seeing Rachel get on a big bike and do magic with it, I knew it could be done.”
Meet Tina:
“When my son asked if he could have a motorbike ages 16, I said NO WAY it’s too dangerous! However, we had a little Peugeot 50 cc delivered to the CBT Centre on his birthday. My husband and I had a little go, and we were hooked, but my son told me I’d never learn to ride… never tell a mum (a vertically challenged female) that she can’t!"
“After completing my CBT and two years on a restricted licence, I achieved ROSPA Gold Standard and completed a BikeSafe workshop, where I met the Chair of Kent Advanced Motorcyclists Group for IAM RoadSmart.
Since passing my Advanced Rider course, I trained to be a National Observer and took my Masters, which I retook five years later (now a mistress with distinction), and I am a Skills Day Instructor. This year has been great so far, I have been re-elected as Chair for my local Group, and I won the Volunteer of the Year award from IAM RoadSmart. I am supporting with many upcoming events, while also still providing training, and fitting in some biking holidays!
The IAM RoadSmart community have been so patient with my training, and I have met some wonderful people who thrive on passing on their knowledge with such passion. As a female rider I’ve felt I have to prove myself even more, I am a tenacious person who will go above and beyond to achieve my best. I hope that I can persuade, encourage and inspire other young people, women and less confident riders that they definitely CAN.”
Meet Leanda:
“I started riding at 16, but after an incident early on, my dad encouraged me to get straight back on the bike the following day. Like many others, the motorcycles were on hold while marriage and children took priority, but the itch needed scratching."
I returned to biking in my 40s and had a variety of big bikes which I rode down to the South of France and around the UK. But at 51, I was sadly diagnosed with breast cancer, which required a lot of surgery and treatment, but thankfully I recovered and I am still fine’. However, due to personal reasons in my life, I had to sell my bike.
Fast forward, and as part of my recovery from a horrible period in my life, I bought myself a new bike, and I have never looked back. After a recommendation, I joined Suffolk Advanced Motorcyclists and passed my Advanced Test along with my Masters, making me the first Lady Master in Suffolk! Volunteering with my local Group gives me a lot of satisfaction, where I have qualified as Ride Leader, and I also became Co-Editor of our monthly magazine.
Riding means everything to me. It has played a significant part in helping me rebuild my life after some very dark times and has given me back my shattered confidence. I have made so many friends through my Group, and I am pleased that our female membership has increased recently. I also present a radio show, which gives me a voice to champion safe riding, and through this and my work with my local Group, I'm doing my best to reach out to other women who would like to take up motorcycling or simply improve or meet like-minded people. I would encourage any female rider to learn advanced techniques, and even then, keep learning, keep refreshing, keep safe!!”
Elaine's Story
Karen's Story
“I first started riding at 21 years old in Edinburgh with brand new Honda CD250u—I loved it! After not riding for 20 years, at the age of 56, I decided get back on two wheels and although
I was very nervous at first, my confidence has grown immensely and I am thoroughly enjoying my newfound freedom!”
Valerie's Story
“I learnt to ride at 54 having been a pillion for a couple of years, and I completed my Advanced Rider course within the first year to help with my confidence. 8 years on, I’m now embarking on a Masters to further
enhance my skills. Riding gives me a sense of achievement and is a great way to spend time with friends.”
Kat's Story
“I wanted to boost my skills and become a better and safer rider, and after attending a BikerDown event with IAM RoadSmart—I was hooked! The Advanced Rider course has given me the tools I needed to elevate my riding. Over the last
15 years, I have ridden all around the UK, Europe, and North Africa.”
Lisa's Story
“My advice to women riders’ is don’t listen to people if they say you’re not ready to start the Advanced Rider course. There are a lot of inspirational people in the IAM RoadSmart community who will encourage you along your journey!”
Jo-Anne's Story
“My learning journey into riding was a bumpy one as I lacked a lot of confidence, and I almost gave it up until I secured a session with BikeSafe. This gave me the determination to start my Advanced Rider training, and 3 years after
passing my Advanced Test, I am loving the adventure!”
Julie's Story
“After I became a widow, I knew my late husband would want me to live life to the full. I passed all my motorcycle tests and took time choosing the correct bike for me. I am now building miles
on my new bike and loving it so much! You’re never too old to have a new goal, life has taught me to be brave and just do it!”
Share your story!
Are you a woman with a passion for riding? We’d love to hear from you about your experiences or what advice you would give to other women riders, and you could feature on our page!
Biker Kaz:
“Since completing my IAM Advanced Rider course, I have felt that my overall riding skills have improved, and I still put in place what I learned on the course (sometimes I hear my Observers voice in my head when negotiating a tricky decision and I recall what I was taught and put this into practice).
I am so pleased I went ahead and completed my training, and I recommend the course to everyone, but especially anyone who is a little nervous or has come back to riding after a break, it is always good to refresh your skills and do everything you can to be a better, safer rider.”
Discover more about Biker Kaz’s Advanced Rider journey
Looking to improve your own skills?
Whether you're looking to sharpen your skills, return to riding, or simply enjoy the road with more confidence, the Advanced Rider course offers real, lasting benefits. It helps improve your awareness, enhances your ability to anticipate hazards, and gives a noticeable boost in confidence every time you ride.
Book your course
New opportunities await
By completing your Advanced Rider course, it also opens the door to a variety of other opportunities, including becoming IAM RoadSmart Observer with your local group, coaching other bikers to upskill through their own Advanced course. Our course also opens to doors to organisations such as Blood Bikes, who require Advanced training to join. There are also a number of different volunteering opportunities within the IAM RoadSmart community to get involved with. If you want to expand your skills further, you can explore our Masters programme, which will help to enhance and develop your ability even further.
Join a community of female riders — powered by passion, connected by the road.
