WIMA, the association for women bikers worldwide

Anne-France Dautheville, Noraly d'Itchy Boots, Maria Costello, Elspeth Bear: you probably know these famous bikers. But did you know that there's an association forging links between female riders from all over the world? It's called WIMA, or Women's International Motorcycle Association.

Its aim is simple: to unite women bikers around a shared passion for two-wheeled motorcycles, and to bring together women from the same country, neighboring countries and even further afield. Pretty cool, isn't it? Regardless of age, religion, nationality or experience, all women can join, because the basic principle is unchanging: motorcycling as a unifying passion.

The story of the Women's International Motorcycle Association begins in the 1950s in the USA. In this slightly macho America - where women were relegated to the status of household appliances - Louise Scherbyn, in the 1930s, decided to get on her Indian and explore the 50 states. A nice middle finger to the injunctions of the society of the time. And where does WIMA fit into this story? Well, those thousands of miles were punctuated by encounters with other women passionate about motorcycling. These new friendships inspired Louise to create her own network to develop her love of two-wheeled motorcycling. WIMA was born.

What happened next? The mayonnaise took off across the Atlantic in the late 1950s, the first rally was held in Holland in 1960, and Eilen Pfeifer officially created Wima in Europe in the 1970s. Europe, Asia, Oceania, the movement gradually became global. Whether on the highways of the American Midwest, on the borders of Thailand or on the back roads of France, the leitmotiv remains unchanged: to unite women around a shared passion for motorcycling.

Almost a century old, this network of women bikers is established just about everywhere in the world. National divisions are present in 39 countries around the globe. Each country representation is independently managed, with the freedom to organize events to which all WIMA members are invited.Every year, one or two international gatherings are organized (one in Europe and one further afield). And several national and regional meetings are proposed by the various divisions.

So, 100 years after Louise Scherbyn's first turns at the wheel, her association is still generating meetings that enable women to weave a network of friendships and support on both a local and global scale.

The WIMA association is open to all women, regardless of religion, age, type of bike or level of experience (membership is even open to non-motorcyclists). As you'll understand, two key elements are crucial: being a woman and having a passion for motorcycling.

Why join WIMA?

Well, whether you're just learning to ride or you're a seasoned adventurer, you can have the feeling of being the only woman around. Joining the association gives you a network of like-minded friends from all over the world. And that's not all! So, whether you're traveling in your own region, in France or around the world, aWIMA bikeris bound to be there, ready to meet you, ride with you and support you if need be. That's quite a strength, isn't it?

How do I join WIMA?

Membership of the association is only €10, and keeps you up to date with the various outings and meetings organized in your country. These are always great opportunities to meet, exchange and share.

All you need to do is contact the WIMA division in your country. Here's the link

https://wimaworld.com/national-groups/

Who better to introduce WIMA than its President for France? A rhetorical question if ever there was one. So let's give the floor to Colline to tell us about her connection with this wonderful association:

It was in 2019, after 10 years as a licensee, that I discovered WIMA and its incredible sisterhood with impressive journeys of women breaking the rules!

In 2022, I set off alone with my Royal Enfield Himalayan on the roads of Europe and the Middle East (6 months and 20,000km - find out more about my trip). Alone indeed, but accompanied by the WIMA sisterhood in every country. I was welcomed by some of them (such as Wima Italy), and received advice and addresses along the way, which led to mutual support and extraordinary encounters.

Then in 2023, at the international rally in France's Hautes Alpes region, it was a real pleasure to meet up again with all the women who had accompanied and supported me on this journey. It was a pleasure to meet up with some of them again, and to meet in real life the women who have followed me on social networks.

I'm very honoured to have become President of the France division. I hope to keep this association and this international sisterhood going for a long time to come, and to break down the borders that try to divide us. I admire the solidarity and strength of WIMA women, whatever our country of origin.

Since I became president of Wima France, we've organized several rallies across different regions of France, and we also took part in the international rally held this year in Romania. We also sent a small delegation to Morocco for an international gathering of motorcyclists.

Wima's 75th anniversary is scheduled to take place in Germany in 2025.

All these gatherings are great opportunities to meet our counterparts from different countries, and to catch up with friends who live far away. This association brings us together despite our differences and the distance between us.

We hope this article has given you the opportunity to discover this incredible women's association. Do you feel like a modern-day Louise Scherbyn? Then don't hesitate to subscribe to the WIMA facebook page so you don't miss out on the next rallies near you. And if you want to expand your network abroad, here's the link to WIMA World. With that, all we have to do is wish you a safe journey!