Watch UAE women rev up the streets to celebrate International Female Ride Day

Dubai: Did you spot a bold brigade of women roaring down Dubai’s roads on Saturday? If you missed it, you can now catch the action online because the organisers of the UAE’s largest female-led motorcycle ride have released videos of the event.

Held on May 3 to mark the 19th International Female Ride Day (IFRD), more than 60 female bikers representing over 35 nationalities took part. The nearly 70km parade brought together empowerment, unity, diversity, and horsepower.

The ride began from Last Exit DXB Bound and thundered all the way to The Farm in Al Barari, a route planned by one of the three lead coordinators of the ride, Hafida Drici, a homemaker in Dubai.

The motto of the ride was to “ride in solidarity for accelerated gender parity.”

“The energy was incredible. Women riders from all walks of life came together to show what unity and sisterhood look like on two wheels,” said Sara Barakat, another coordinator who works in the hospitality sector.

This year, the UAE event took an inspiring turn. For the first time, the ride was synced with simultaneous celebrations in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and Jordan. This became possible after the UAE coordinators took the initiative to coordinate with and support SisterhoodMC KSA, Bahrain Ladies Motorcycle, Hawks MC Egypt, and HOG Jordan.

In total, more than 140 women riders across the region joined the synchronised ride, culminating in a virtual meet-up that transcended borders.

Another coordinator, Katrina Corcoran, said connecting with riders from different countries in real-time was a special experience. “It was a dream come true moment,” said the schoolteacher.

The coordinators also went the extra mile by sponsoring T-shirts and goodie bags for the riders in all the participating countries.

Another rider, Anna Walker, a Dubai-based entrepreneur, also pitched in by sponsoring gloves and helmets for raffle winners and bookmarks themed after the event for every participant.

“I was thrilled to join the ride and support the lady riders with accessories from my company. It was also an honour to partner with Dubai Police and other local authorities for this special event,” said Walker.

The UAE ride was officially registered and supported by the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO) and coordinated in collaboration with Dubai Police, Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Civil Defence, International Female Ride UAE, the Women’s International Motorcycle Association, and other entities.

The UAE has been proudly supporting IFRD since it was initiated by biker Caroline (Coco) Stuck in 2019. The event has grown with each edition. Celebrated annually on the first Saturday of May, it is held as part of a global initiative founded by Vicki Gray, a celebrated Canadian rider, to empower and spotlight women in motorcycling and motorsports.

Open to women riders of all brands and styles, IFRD aims to break barriers, inspire newcomers, and amplify women’s visibility in the motorcycling world.

“The female bikers’ community in the UAE has been steadily growing. We try to be part of the community not just for the thrill of riding. We ride for a cause and organise community events. The beauty is that we are from different groups and ride different bikes, but united by the love of riding,” added Barakat.