Ranjitha Prabhakar decided to change gears after turning 40, moving from the pillion seat to riding a rugged adventure motorcycle. Her journey underlines a larger movement playing out on Bengaluru’s roads. Heavy bobbers, tourers and cruisers, weighing anywhere between 175 and 360 kg, are no longer intimidating women, many of whom are findingtheir rhythm on two wheels.“Riding gives you a sense of freedom,” says Ranjitha, capturing the pulse of what is increasingly becoming a movement. I was always passionate about biking, but I tried to play it safe and rode scooters instead,” says the mother of a seven-year-old, adding turning 40 changed her.“I told myself, this time I’ll definitely do it.” Her resolve was supported by her husband, Deepak N, who gifted her a Royal Enfield motorcycle for her birthday.Conquering fearsFor many women, initiation into riding motorcycles begins with structured training, part of a growing ecosystem enabling first-time women riders. Held over two days at a campsite near Tumakuru, these workshops are designed to ease women into motorcycling in a controlled, supportive environment.At Nomadic Soul, where Ranjitha trained, the focus is as much on building confidence as on technique. The adventure company holds women-only camps.Fear, often the first barrier, is a massive block, says Yudhishtir Urs, co-founder and head of expeditions at Nomadic Soul. “The very thought of learning to ride a motorcycle is mostly discouraged,” he adds, pointing to the perception of motorcycling as dangerous and unnecessary.“We wanted to create a safe space where women can feel like, yeah, I know I’m scared, but still, I can go for it and overcome that fear.” For Ranjitha, that fear was specific. “My fear was about control and balance — what would happen if suddenly I applied the brakes? I was worried I’d fall.” That hesitation is familiar to many women who enter riding circles in the city.When spirits soar highRakshita Adyanthaya, 41, who has not only hit the roads with her friends but has also been part of riding groups that buzz by the city outskirts on weekends, says riding has always been tied to a sense of independence. For her, motorcycling is less about speed and more about the space it creates mentally. “While driving, you are always surrounded by people, or you are listening to something. But when you are riding, you listen to yourself a lot,” she says.Riding in a packOnce the first layer of fear is crossed, the journey often widens into something more social. Riders move from training grounds to neighbourhood roads, and eventually into weekend rides, breakfast runs and long tours.In many cases, the community becomes the strongest support system. On most weekends, groups of women set out early, riding 80–120km out of the city along routes like N a n d i Hills, Devanahalli or towards Penukonda, before stopping for breakfast at roadside cafés or local eateries.What begins as a ride often turns into hours of conversation, shared stories and laughter. Beyond the city runs, many also sign up for multi-day trips across South India or bucket-list expeditions to Ladakh and Lahaul-Spiti. Over time, these shared journeys create a strong sense of sisterhood — a network where riders look out for each other, celebrate milestones and grow together on and off the road.Rakshita says group rides bring structure, safety and companionship. “When you go in a group, everything is taken care of,” she adds. That sense of support is part of what has helped the women’s riding scene expand in Bengaluru. Several collectives in the city, including Enfield Riders and Heels on Wheels, organise rides, train new riders and create spaces where women can meet others with the same passion.Women-only riding groups and social media have played a key role in connecting women, sharing routes and encouraging first-timers. “A lot of women tend to pick up things when they see other women do it,” says Revathi Rajeevan who owns an Xpulse. “Otherwise, women are conditioned to grow up in a certain way, where they are told what girls should do or shouldn’t do. To break that conditioning, sometimes seeing another woman do it helps. The visibility and awareness and social media have helped a lot of women break their conditioning. Furthermore, people around are also more accepting.”Come weekends, the highways around Bengaluru are increasingly dotted with women riders heading out together — stopping for tea, sharing route maps, taking pictures of their bikes and building friendships along the way.Rakshita recalls a trip from Mysore to Goa. “The weather was nice, so it was good.” Her longride memories are part of a growing culture.At homes, too, the shift is symbolic; Ranjitha’s husband, once the rider, now occasionally takes the pillion seat. “Though he is scared to sit behind me,” she laughs.It is a small reversal, but one that captures a larger change. In Bengaluru, women are not just taking to the roads. They are building a community around the ride—one meetup, one weekend run and one open highway at a time.Motorcycling is all about the mental space it creates. While riding, you listen to yourself. The freedom, solace and me time that riding offers is unparalleled.VOICE BOXRiding with friends has transformed me inside out. Being part of a riding community provides you a sense of safety and security. When you go alone, even a breakdown could ruin your journey. But when you are going in a group, all that is taken care of.—Rakshita Adyanthaya | 41Riding gives you a sense of freedom.—Ranjitha Prabhakar | 40My Xpulse is tall. Initially I rode around my house and avoided routes with U-turns, but now I take it anywhere in the city. The fear is gone. I have gone on long rides. I went to Rann of Kutch with my friends.-Revathy Rajeevan |32
