For many women, riding a motorcycle represents freedom, independence and the chance to explore places on their own terms. But for women bikers in India, the experience can also involve unwanted attention, unsafe encounters and constant calculations about when and where to ride.
Recent accounts from women riders have brought these everyday challenges into focus, following a Gurugram incident in which a woman biker was chased and hit by a car.
When Riding Becomes a Safety Calculation
Experienced riders say they often plan journeys differently because of concerns about being followed or harassed.
Motorcyclist Maral Yazarloo-Pattrick, who has travelled extensively across India and around the world, said she prefers starting early and reaching her destination before dark. She recalled an earlier incident in which a car carrying several men followed her on a foggy road near Amritsar.
For her, avoiding isolated roads after dark has become part of long-distance travel planning.
Following and Harassment on the Road
Other women riders have described similar experiences, including vehicles driving dangerously close, men attempting to race them and groups following them.
Motorcycle racer Kalyani Potekar recalled being followed while travelling towards Shimla. She said the incident ended with her motorcycle being hit from behind, causing her to crash in front of a truck.
Such experiences can affect how riders approach future journeys, even when they remain passionate about motorcycling.
The Challenge of Riding Alone
Travel and auto enthusiast Aakriti Rana has spoken about being followed and receiving unwanted attention while driving and riding.
She said she has sometimes used her phone to make people believe she was recording them and once stopped at a police station to get away from men who were following her. Despite these experiences, she continues to enjoy riding.
The Gurugram incident, however, has made some riders more conscious of travelling alone.
Why Daylight Matters to Many Riders
For several women, reaching a safe destination before sunset has become a personal rule.
Meghna CR, who has undertaken long motorcycle journeys including a 60-day expedition across Karnataka, follows a routine of riding after sunrise and before sunset when travelling alone. She acknowledges that crime and accidents can happen during the day as well, but planning around daylight gives her another layer of control.
It is less about believing daylight guarantees safety and more about reducing some of the risks associated with isolated roads and limited visibility.
Finding a Washroom Can Be Another Problem
Long-distance motorcycle travel also comes with a practical challenge that is rarely discussed: access to clean and safe toilets.
Women riders interviewed by India Today said that finding suitable washrooms can be difficult on remote routes. This can affect everything from hydration to travel planning, particularly during long solo journeys.
Carrying personal hygiene supplies and planning stops at petrol pumps, restaurants or other populated locations can therefore become an essential part of a journey.
Not Every Road Encounter Is Negative
The experiences of women riders are not limited to harassment or danger. Some also describe receiving help and encouragement from strangers.
Ishita Chaturvedi, a rider from Indore, recalled men helping her after minor accidents and offering assistance during difficult situations. She also remembers receiving encouragement from people who saw her riding.
For many women, these positive encounters are part of what makes riding worth continuing.
The Freedom Still Matters
Despite the risks and unwanted attention, the women featured in the report have not given up motorcycling.
Their experiences highlight a wider reality of modern travel: freedom on the road can come with additional planning and precautions for women. From choosing routes and timings to identifying safe stopping points, riders often have to think beyond simply reaching their destination.
Yet the desire to explore remains strong.
For these women, riding is more than transportation. It is independence, adventure and a way of experiencing places on their own terms.