The FIM Women in Motorcycling Award may be conferred on individuals, groups or organisations who have made a significant contribution to enhancing awareness of women in motorcycling or who have implemented projects/initiatives to improve the presence of women in all motorcycling-related activities. These projects, initiatives or contributions can be related to sporting or non-sporting activities and should be in alignment with FIM Advancing Women in Motorcycling Programme. They should provide mid-term or long-term solutions to help develop the presence of women in all motorcycling-related activities and have lasting effects and impacts on the awareness of women in motorcycling.
Candidates
1. Australian Women in Motorcycling – Australia
Australian Women in Motorcycling fosters and encourages a positive community from all disciplines at a national level. The group seeks to assist, mentor, develop and endorse all women that are financial and affiliation members of Motorcycling Australia, with nationwide and regional reach throughout Oceania to more than a thousand women.
2. Biking Queens: Ride for Women´s Pride – India
Founded by Dr Sarika Mehta, Biking Queens set out to empower women and prove to the World that females can not only ride motorbikes, but can do so in all sorts of difficult terrain and weather. Aimed at inspiring women in all walks of life, the project has organised numerous long-distance rides, including the All Women Ten Nations Ride (India to Singapore), All Women All India Ride and most recently the Ride for Women's Pride (India to London, UK).
3. East Coast Female Riders - Australia
East Coast Female Riders is an Australian motorcycle riding group focusing on empowerment and inclusiveness in the motorcycle community – welcoming riders regardless of age, gender or ethnicity. ECFR offers mentoring and support group chats to almost two thousand members, with moderators in different areas across Australia to offer guidance with group rides, one-on-one lessons, discounted safety gear and more.
4. Miss Biker – Italy
MissBiker is a community project created in 2014 to help resolve some of the most common issues for female riders in Italy, such as offering information on women’s riding gear or finding female-centred motorcycle reviews. The group help women connect and organize rides in their area and offer support through an ever-growing list of commercial partners - such as mechanics, motorcycle shops and hotels - that offer discounts and opportunities to MissBiker members.
5. One make race for women in Circuit Racing – India
This national championship circuit race for women riders has attracted female riders from all over India, with some eighty-four participants having already taken part. Its most famous product so far is Aishwarya Pissay, winner of the 2019 FIM BAJAS World Cup in the Women’s Category, whilst the likes of Ann Jenifer, Rehana Bee and Kalyani Potekar are regular participants representing India in the Asia Cup Road Racing series.
6. Sheemotos – USA
Raising Awareness for Women's PTSD recovery, Sheemotos is a collaboration of women in the USA that are committed to supporting fellow motorcyclists, sharing resources and providing much needed encouragement to “get back on the horse.” The organisation promotes rider safety and advanced training resources, raising funds to sponsor scholarships for these courses with a current analysis of "throttle therapy" and PTSD recovery, as well as outsourcing provisions for more complex cases.
7. Stacey Heaney Racing – Australia
Stacey Heaney is a female motorcycle racer with twenty years of experience in road racing, motocross and endurance. Through coaching and mentoring roles at racing events, competitions and Women Only Ride Days, Stacey has formed a network of female riders that communicate about events, get together to prepare their bikes and provide each other with technical and moral support.
8. Yakhnich Motorsports Athletes – Russia
The Yakhnich Motorsport Athlete programme is aimed at promoting motorsport in Russia and supporting athletes at national and international level. Led by Nataliya Lyubimova, a two-time female circuit racing champion in Russia, the programme unites racers from different disciplines and offers financial support, paying scholarships and bonuses, as well as providing training and rehabilitation at a professional sports base, whilst conducting promotional activities within all areas of the media.