Who We Are
One of the biggest shifts taking place in the motorcycling industry right now is the growth and impact of the female riding population. Latest figures from the Motorcycle Industry Council indicate that since 2003 the number of women riding a motorcycle has increased 24 percent. And from the period of 1998 to 2003, the number grew 36 percent! Today 12.3 percent of the motorcycle riding population is female. This translates to 5.7 million of the 25 million Americans who ride a motorcycle being women. It's not just a guy thing anymore. Women control 85 percent of a household spending decisions, so greater acceptance among women means greater acceptance among key influencers of a family's buying power.
Women Riders Now (WRN) is a marketing and communications company created to be the definitive resource for all things women and motorcycling. The company's list of services includes delivering the most up-to-date and comprehensive news and information pertaining to women in the motorcycle industry through this online magazine, WomenRidersNow.com. We also provide information through the various columns and articles our founder, Genevieve Schmitt, writes in leading magazines, and through the speeches and presentations she gives throughout the industry. No other company has the wealth of resources available to serve female motorcyclists like Women Riders Now. We also have the most extensive photo library of women riding motorcycles. Please email us to learn how you can access this.
Our Mission
As the premiere news and information service bureau about women and motorcycling, the mission of Women Riders Now is to educate and inform the motorcycle industry and general public on the growth and impact of the female riding population. In doing so, our goal is to raise awareness of motorcycling and attract new riders to the sport.
Currently, new women riders, experienced women riders, passengers, and women thinking about riding are not targeted specifically by any large scale national media outlet, be it print, online or television. Surveys show that readership of most motorcycle magazines is 97 percent male. Thus, editors cater specifically to a male audience. Women must thumb through pages of stories written from a male point of view, test rides written for the male rider, and products aimed at men. Women are hard pressed to find information on female oriented motorcycling gear, bike reviews written from a female point of view, and tech stories that speak to a woman's experience.
This Online Magazine
Women Riders Now delivers news, reviews, and information through this online magazine, WomenRidersNow.com. It launched officially on February 1, 2006. This site is packed with information for women at any stage of motorcycling.
We send out a free biweekly eNewsletter to our mailing list of subscribers alerting them to stories that post on WRN. Be sure to sign up to receive this colorful, fun email so you're the first to know.
The Standards We Adhere To
WRN is an online magazine that adheres to the highest standards in journalism. Much like a print magazine, we are supported through advertising. We do not favor any one brand. We promote the wearing of proper riding gear and responsible riding. When we have control over the content of photo shoots we insist our riders wear proper gear. Occasionally we get photos from contributors who are not wearing proper gear. We post those at our editorial discretion.
Why do women riders need a resource dedicated just to them?
It's no secret that women like to connect with other women. They share stories, share photos and share information on products, places, people...virtually anything they love and that works for them. This includes all things having to do with motorcycling. Most women's experience in motorcycling is different than men's. The mental process by which they come to the sport is different, their learning experience is different, and they require different size riding gear. Women network differently than men. Because of all these differences women seek out information that pertains to their specific riding experiences.
Motorcycling is a male-dominated activity. The majority of information available on motorcycling features men and speaks to a male mind. There is clearly a need for a company to serve this powerful audience of women in a targeted way.
In addition, women are the fastest growing segment of new riders. New riders as well as those simply seeking information about the sport require basic information rarely found in mainstream motorcycle magazines and Web sites. There is a need to serve this market of seekers and beginners in a targeted way.
What else does Women Riders Now do?
WRN provides consulting and speaking services on a wide variety of topics pertaining to the women's market aimed at both businesses and consumers. For a complete list of what we offer, visit our Speaking/Consulting link.
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