Throughout the month of May, Harley-Davidson is staging a series of events designed to celebrate the number of women who have already hit the open road on two wheels, as well as encourage even more women to get behind the handlebars. Two of the larger Harley-Davidson Women Riders Month initiatives include:

Activities for the 3rd Annual International Female Ride Day on Friday, May 1, 2009, which was founded by Vicki Gray of Motoress.com. The day celebrates women of all ages who take life by the handlebars by encouraging them to ride. Harley-Davidson plans to stage special rides in New York City and Milwaukee to commemorate International Female Ride Day. Harley-Davidson dealerships, subsidiaries and suppliers across the world have been encouraged to plan rides in their areas.

Encouraging 100,000 women to learn to ride either by taking the Harley-Davidson® Rider’s Edge® New Rider Course or the Motorcycle Safety Foundation® (MSF) Basic RiderCourse™ training program. Several Rider’s Edge New Rider Courses and MSF Basic RiderCourses are scheduled for the first weekend of May. To kick-off this initiative, a Guinness World Record will be set for the number of women motorcycle riders trained in one weekend during the first weekend of May. For information on the Rider’s Edge New Rider Course or a MSF Basic RiderCourse visit your local Harley-Davidson dealership or log on to www.ridersedge.com or www.msf-usa.org.

"Women have been enjoying the sport of motorcycling for the last century," said Leslie Prevish, women’s outreach manager, Harley-Davidson. "In the past two decades, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in number of women embrace the sport. By declaring May as Women Riders Month, we’re honoring all of the women who enjoy the freedom and adventure found in taking control of their own handlebars.”

In the past 20 years, the percentage of women who have purchased new Harley-Davidson motorcycles has tripled, with women now accounting for nearly 12 percent of new Harley-Davidson motorcycle purchases.

“We know there are thousands of women who are interested in the sport, but aren’t sure where to start,” said Prevish. “We are encouraging women to learn how to ride a motorcycle to increase the women rider community and help them along their journey.”

During Women Riders Month, the Motor Company also plans to showcase several other programs it has designed specifically for women, including:

Harley-Davidson dealerships will also be hosting women-only Garage Parties™ which provides a non-intimidating environment for women to learn more about motorcycling.

Distributing We Ride, a comprehensive and inspirational brochure on what a new rider or a woman interested in riding needs to know about getting into the sport.

Share Your Spark™: A Guide to Mentoring is a tool kit the Motor Company developed for current and aspiring riders featuring information on how to be a resource and support system to others during their motorcycling journey.

For more information about Women Riders Month, including the opportunity to participate in the special International Female Ride Day rides, visit your local Harley-Davidson dealership or log onto www.harley-davidson.com/womenriders.