UAE all-female bikers groups create women's safe space

In the common scene of motorcycle-filled highways, beaches, and desert roads in the UAE, some all-female motorcycle riders clubs decided to stand out and make a safe space for women. The International Female Riders (IFR) is one of a kind bikers club in the UAE founded by a German national Carolin Stuck. The club is currently with 45 female riders and the number continues to increase since the pandemic. They meet up every weekend or once in two weeks and they explore the less travelled roads in the UAE together with their motorcycles. Stuck has been riding bikes since she was 16 and started with a German-made Simson motorcycle which she likens to a small delivery motorbike. She purchased her first Harley-Davidson in 2017 after moving to the UAE. She also joined a mixed riders community called the Hawks Motorcycle Club as the safety head of the group. Stuck made an open call for all female bikers in the UAE to ride on International Female Ride Day which received an incredible response. “Over 32 ladies joined us on that day. Women came all over the Emirates to join us - from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah. There was also a worldwide picture competition which we won. It had never been done in the UAE before,” said Stuck. The IFR founder explained her purpose of launching the group which is to create a safe space for open discussions and issues for women during riding which also led to camaraderie among the riders. For female bikers more interested in dirt bike riding in the desert, the Grit Girls UAE might just be the right club to join. grit-girls-uae PHOTO CREDITS: SUPPLIED The founder Martinette Van Vuuren shared that the group was created at the end of 2018 for women who liked riding in the desert and it currently has 30 female members. These women also race at the motocross tracks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. They ride during the weekend near DIP, at Fossil Rock or Pink Rock, and hope for more exposure for other interested female bikers. Both Stuck and her co-riders would agree that UAE is safe for female bikers. They do not face gender-based challenges or harassment on the road but rather they find it difficult to find good quality riding gear made for women unless ordered online. American rider Katrina Corcoran, also a founder of a female adventure riders group also voices similar concerns but also asserts that UAE felt safe to practice riding. “I think we’re making riding a mainstream culture in the UAE by making it inclusive. We are passionate about women riding, and the aim right now is to provide protection and more incentive for women who are homemakers and mothers. Right now, we want to provide more information to anyone who wants it. Anyone can try it, and anyone can ride,” she added. KSO/Expat Media
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