Motorbikes for girls

According to statistics, there are approximately 1.5 million motorbike riders in this country, and some 300,000 of them are women. So, if you're thinking of joining them, or are already a biker, read on

Motorbikes and scooters are a great way to get around. You can scootle through traffic easily, be independent of public transport, and save yourself time and money. Many riders use their bikes and scooters for their daily commute and this represents one of the cleanest forms of motorised transport.

The government has confirmed that they are more eco-friendly in terms of emissions than the average car. Commuting by motorcycle frees you from the restrictions of timetables and allows more independent travel.

Over recent years, increasing numbers of women have started riding motorbikes. Strength is not really an issue, as a good rider relies on delicate control and should have slow-speed control when approaching junctions and roundabouts.

Personally, I found short legs to be a drawback - I wasn't confident about holding the bike up as I couldn't put my feet down, but many manufacturers, including Honda, make smaller bikes, or have suspensions that can be lowered.

There are also horror stories of accidents and there's no denying that in a collision with a car, the motorcyclist is usually going to come off worse. So safety is an important issue to be considered before you even think about getting on a bike.

Everyone wanting to ride a motorbike or scooter on the roads has to complete their Compulsory Basic Training (CBT) which must, by law, include a ride of at least two hours on the road.

Taking the course

The CBT is a one-day course that also provides practical and sensible advice about basic bike maintenance, and the different types of protective clothing you need.

And you get to practise riding the bike in a safe place before being allowed out on to the roads, which is essential as there's a lot to remember. Many driving schools offer courses in riding motorbikes, including BSM.