They are called the PG Motoladies.
An all-women motorcycling group has been gaining popularity in Prince George, particularly during COVID-19.
Now at 60 members, the collective hopes to ease the intimidation that new riders, particularly women, may feel.
“I think it’s fairly male-dominated, but in the last few years, that’s definitely changing,” said Angela Seguin, who rides a Yamaha Bolt, a lightweight, cruiser-style bike.
Seguin grew up with dirt bikes and began riding motorcycles for real with her ex-partner.
“Once we split and my kids got a bit older, I needed something that was only for me, not something that I have to do with other people necessarily,” she explained.
“It’s something that I don’t have to bring the kids along, I don’t have to worry about anyone else, I can just go on my own. I have also made lots of new friends through it!”
The PG Motoladies was created about three years ago, and since then, has become not just a hobby group, but a community of like-minded individuals.
“Some of the women have been riding for 20 years, and some of us are brand new. It doesn’t seem to matter.”
According to members of the group, the majority of them are relatively new riders, but they are confident that they have carved out space for themselves in a sport that once had almost no female representation.
Members go out on group rides to run skills, practice for road tests, and even just to socialize.
“We call it wind therapy. A lot of people can probably relate to when you go for a drive and you have really good music on and you can just clear your head. If you’re having a bad day or if you’re stressed out, or if you’re sad,” said Seguin.
“For me, I can just hop on the bike and go. Pretty much everything that was on my mind disappears.”
Michelle Laboucan captains a Honda CBR 500R, a smaller, sport-style bike.
She has been dirt biking since she was a teenager but made the transition to ‘street riding’ one year ago.
“It’s a mixture of yes, feeling free and the excitement, and it’s happy, and the smells and the sights and the adrenaline, and you feel strong,” said Laboucan.
“There are so many different feelings that I get out of it, and I enjoy all of them,”
In addition to going out on rides, the group also corresponds almost daily on the Facebook page, about everything from asking questions about gear to sharing what might be going on in their lives.
“It (the group) is like a support system because everyone is so welcoming and complementary and encouraging and inspiring. I think they are adorable and funny,” Laboucan, added.
“These women, definitely, we love to set each other on the right path and give you tips.”
Another group member, Rochelle Huckabay, is a welder and pipefitter by trade but also a longtime rider of 20 years, whose love of bikes began in childhood, riding on the back of her father’s motorcycle.
She favors a 2009 Harley Knightster, a stronger, heavier-duty bike.
She views the group as a way to bring younger girls into the fold who may not otherwise know where to start.
“I think that intimidating level is lessened,” explained Huckabay.
“Because if we can do it, they (newcomers) can do it too. We’ve paved the way so to speak for some of the younger gals who may want to get into it.”
The group prides itself on being open to women of all ages and at ‘any point in their lives,’ Huckabay says, adding that the interest has always been there, but the community aspect is new.
“There is this whole stigma around motorcycles and being rebellious. I don’t know if that comes from back in the day,” Huckabay muses.
“I think the women were there. They were there.”
“When we are parked at the Chevron for our meetups, so many women are like ‘oh I wish I had this when I was riding a motorcycle back in the day,’ I think they were there and they existed, but social media has really helped us all connect.”
You can find the PG Motoladies on Facebook.Â
“Just give it a go. There are likeminded women in this town that are willing to support you.”