INTERVIEW: VICKI GRAY // INTERNATIONAL FEMALE RIDE DAY® FOUNDER
Vicki Gray, aka “MOTORESS®”; Photo Credit: Mondo Lulu
MEET VICKI GRAY
Fueling empowerment
Meet Vicki Gray: a true trailblazer in the global motorcycling community and the unstoppable force behind International Female Ride Day®. As the founder of MOTORESS®, Vicki has spent decades empowering women to take the throttle and claim their space on two wheels. Her vision? A world where every woman rider is visible, celebrated, and united through the joy of riding. We’re honored to spotlight her legacy and the movement she sparked—one that continues to grow globally every May.
Toronto IFRD Photo Credit : James "Wobblycat"
INSPIRATION & EVOLUTION:
As a lifetime woman motorcycle enthusiast, racer, and instructor—and having lived and ridden extensively in different parts of the world, including Europe and the Caribbean—I’ve seen firsthand how women, despite having been part of motorcycling since its very beginning, have often remained overlooked. From the outside, it can appear that we haven’t been advancing or gaining ground, but in reality, we always have. The issue has never been about a lack of participation; it has been, and still often is, about a lack of visibility.
That’s what led me to create International Female Ride Day® in 2007. I wanted to establish one synchronized, powerful day where women around the world would simply “just ride” —not to prove anything, but to show we are here. The goal was to spotlight the countless women who ride, race, and live the motorcycling and powersports lifestyle, even if they’re not always seen.
What started as a grassroots initiative here in Toronto, evolved immediately and snowballed into a global movement, taking place in nearly 120 countries. It's grown beyond just a ride. It has become a symbol of unity, strength, and visibility for women in motorcycling, motorsport, and powersports. And every year, I’m inspired by the creative and powerful ways women take part in IFRD: from city streets to off-road trails, from large group events to solo adventures. It’s amazing to witness how IFRD continues to break barriers and redefine what it means to be a woman in motorcycling today!
Toronto IFRD Photo Credit : James "Wobblycat"
“International Female Ride Day® has become more than just a ride. It’s a movement that has changed the face of motorsport, motorcycling and powersports for women around the world. ”
OVERCOMING CHALLENGES:
Like many women in male-dominated industries, I’ve had to continuously prove myself. Motorsport and the motorcycle field has always been a confronting arena, and even after four decades in the segment, it remains a challenge to be treated as an equal by male peers. I move through the sport, the industry with the natural expectation of being treated with respect, without needing to demand it. I don’t dwell on the imbalance, but there are still moments when it becomes undeniably clear that I’m not being treated equally. And one of the advantages of managing my own brand and company is that I can navigate challenges on my own terms!
There’s also the competitiveness. Sometimes, even from other women in the industry. I’ve encountered businesses trying to capitalize on my ideas, and I’ve had my work copied, borrowed, and at times, imitated a little too closely. It can be disheartening, especially when it comes from those who might otherwise be allies. Still, I remain grounded in my values, hold my course, and stay focused on the long-term vision. Along the way, I have been fortunate to partner with exceptional industry allies who understand what I do, my goals, and stand behind it. Their support helps fuel the mission of MOTORESS® and IFRD and makes all the difference in keeping the momentum alive.
“Every year, I’m inspired by the creative and powerful ways women take part in IFRD.”
Photo Credit: Mondo Lulu
MEMORABLE MOMENTS:
With 18 years of International Female Ride Day® behind us, there are honestly too many incredible moments to choose just one. Each year delivers stories that surprise and move me. I still remember back in 2009 when women in Tel Aviv rode through the city streets together for the very first time. They wrote to tell me how powerful and emotional the experience was. Or the time a woman attended a small IFRD event and, by pure chance, was reunited with her long-lost childhood friend—both now riders. Then there are the women in Alaska, Iceland, and other far-reaching places who brave the elements to participate and share in the global camaraderie. These stories, big and small, are the heart of IFRD and what makes it so unforgettable, year after year!
BORN TO RIDE:
Motorcycling has always been part of my life. For me, it was inevitable. I grew up a tomboy: snowmobiling, showing horses, even trying barrel racing. I built rafts with the boys to sail down the river. My father was a pilot, and flying with him (especially the takeoffs in his small plane) lit something up in me. I was always drawn to speed, skill, and machines that thrilled me.
So, motorcycling didn’t change my life. It was the natural continuation of everything that already excited me. If anything, it defined the kind of life I was meant to live. Riding has given me a full spectrum of experiences—racing, off-roading, long-distance touring, teaching—and I never tire of it. It’s not about empowerment for me. It’s about passion, possibility, and having found that “thing” that continually excites, challenges, and drives me. I feel incredibly lucky for that.
WORDS OF WISDOM:
What I always say is: things are not as they appear— and that absolutely applies to riding motorcycles. There’s a common perception that learning to ride is difficult or intimidating. But as a lifelong instructor in both road and race, I know that most riding challenges come down to technique. Whether it’s related to height, weight, performance, or control. Often, it’s about making small adjustments that make a big difference.
That’s why it’s so important to find a truly skilled instructor. While many instructors are weekend hobbyists with a grasp of the basics, a great instructor will understand the full spectrum of techniques and know how to apply them to each rider in a personalized, effective way.
And yes, as a woman on a motorcycle, you’re often under the microscope: watched, judged, second-guessed. But I see that as an advantage. It’s a great lesson in stepping outside your comfort zone. You learn independence, how to focus, stay composed under pressure, and push through. That kind of experience builds real confidence and ability—because you’ve earned it yourself.
UP NEXT:
What’s next? Well… year 20! That’s right, 2026 marks the 20th edition of International Female Ride Day®, and it’s going to be a major celebration. Two decades of uniting women riders around the world is no small milestone, and I’m already working on ways to make it unforgettable. There will be some exciting new collaborations, global activations, and of course, the same powerful energy that has always driven IFRD: women riding, visible, and claiming their space. Stay tuned!
Vicki joins the Bikerni and women of India for IFRD.
MOVING FORWARD:
Motorcycling and powersports continue to evolve, and so do we as women. Yet, long before this momentum, I created RaceGirl Motorsport (1998) —the first website in the world dedicated to women in motorsport. That journey evolved into MOTORESS®, where I’ve continued to carve out space to fuel, inform, and connect women with riding. It's always been about creating access, offering expert insight, and helping riders feel part of something bigger.
International Female Ride Day® has become more than just a ride. It’s a movement that has changed the face of motorsport, motorcycling and powersports for women around the world. It has opened doors, started conversations, and made space where there wasn’t any before. In many regions, IFRD was the very first-time women gathered publicly on motorcycles! That ripple effect continues: building community, visibility, and confidence.
It’s been deeply rewarding to see how something that began as a simple idea has grown to shape and support the motorcycling, motorsport and powersports journeys of so many women around the world! With the 20th year of IFRD on the horizon, it’s clear there’s still so much more to come, and I’m proud to have played a part in that.
Triumph Photo Credit: Bill Petro