If loud, crackly pipes and leather chaps aren't your thing, there's still a spot for you as a motorcycle rider.
That's what Candace Giesbrecht says to women who have always wanted to learn to ride but are intimidated because they may not fit the bad-ass biker label.
Co-owner of MotoVida, Giesbrecht has been riding bikes for about 14 years. She says the industry has come a long way when it comes to welcoming female riders.
That's why MotoVida is taking part in the International Female Ride Day on Saturday, May 6th. This is the 11th year of the event and MotoVida's second year of organizing a ride in Kelowna.
"You know, in the beginning people were definitely saying 'You don't look like a biker,' laughed Giesbrecht. "And I don't. I really don't. I don't fit any version of the stereotype," she said.
Initially, Giesbrecht said that getting a motorcycle was purely an economical decision. When you can fill your gas tank for $10, it's hard not to see the economical benefits.
But over the years, she's seen a growth in the number of female riders. She's also seen the industry start to design and produce more gear and bikes suited for female sizes.
The intent of Saturday's ride is to bring the female riders together to build community - regardless of their skill level or brand of choice.
"Often, a lot of groups are sort of associated with certain brands, but this is just strictly a celebration of women who ride and there's a lot of stigma out there or stereotypes that exist about who bikers are or aren't," said Giesbrecht.
"You know it wasn't really something that women were necessarily encouraged to do in the past but now women are one of the largest growing sectors in bikers."
CEO of MotoVida, Brian Miligen, joined the MotoVida team in March of 2016. He said he's also seen a surge in the number of female riders.
"Well I can put it this way, I don't have the exact data on this, but I've heard that the strongest growing sector in the motorcycle industry right now is women riders joining," said Miligen.
A motorcycle school runs their classes at MotoVida and according to Miligen, there've been seven women out of 12 students attend the last few classes.
"It seems to be the trend that more women are going to the motorcycle class which would mean that there's more women coming in than men right now...Unless guys are just not taking the course," he said.
Saturday's female ride starts at 9 a.m. with a continental breakfast at MotoVida. Riders hit the pavement at 10 a.m. and head out towards Lake Country for about an 80-kilometre loop.
Last year about 55 riders came out and this year MotoVida is hoping to double the numbers.
"The event is really wrapped around camaraderie and community," said Miligen.
"A lot of times what we see here is that women are excited about getting into the sport but they feel sometimes isolated because there may be two out of the 10 people in a riding group might be female."
MotoVida's goal is to encourage inclusivity of all types of riders and brands.
"The first time I went out for a ride and felt the bike under me and went around a few curves it was like, 'Oh my goodness what have I been missing out on,' said Candace Giesbrecht.
"I just fell in love with riding and now it's so much more acceptable and not just acceptable, but now...There's gear that is stylish and that's actually geared for women."
The MotoVida organizers encourage women of all ability and and styles to come out on Saturday.
"It doesn't matter how old or young you are or whether you have a sparkly helmet or a skid lid," said Giesbrecht.
The event on Saturday is free and there's an opportunity to win prizes, including a lunch at the Curious Cafe.
For more information, go to the MotoVida events page.
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