The annual AIMExpo motorcycle show, held this year in the American Motorcyclist Association’s (AMA) home town of Columbus, Ohio, hosted the first ever Women Who Ride industry panel on Saturday, September 23. Moderated by Cam Arnold of the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC), the MIC’s PowerLily organization of women in the industry and the Gear Up Every Ride initiative, the Women Who Ride panel was a conversational question-and-answer session with four female industry leaders, including Woman Rider‘s very own Jenny Smith.

Women Who Ride panel
From left to right, Tracy Motz (Rev’It), Jen Muecke (BMW) and Jenny Smith (Woman Rider). Photo by Eric Putter.

Joining her onstage were Tracy Motz of Rev’It, Jen Muecke of BMW Motorrad and Pat Jacques of ADV Women, in this first-of-its-kind powerhouse panel aimed at discussing the challenges and opportunities for women motorcyclists.

As moderator Cam Arnold pointed out, the four panelists encompassed more than 100 years of combined riding experience and some 750,000 miles of riding, although that number is likely much higher since, as Pat pointed out, she raced motocross professionally and today rides off-road quite often, where mileage is tougher to quantify.

Women Who Ride panel
Pat Jacques (right) is a former professional motocross racer, who raced–and won–against the boys. Photo by Eric Putter.

The panel was held in the Rider’s Garage area of the show floor, and it was held on a consumer day rather than an industry-only day, in order to encourage all women (and men!) to attend. The audience was the second-largest of the weekend, demonstrating that women are a growing force in the industry.

Thanks to the success of the panel, you can likely look forward to more of them, and hearing women’s voices in the motorcycle industry more than ever.

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