Current divisions
Introductions of the groups
Website: www.wima.org.au
Australia was there at the beginning - Hazel Mayes of Sydney, was invited by WIMA founder Louise Scherbyn to become the first international member of WIMA. Hazel owned a BSA but was well known in central Sydney as the pilot of the Harley 'buntruck' provided by her employer. Very little is known about WIMA from the mid-fifties until it seems to have faded away in the late sixties or early seventies. In 1985 WIMA Australia was reborn in Adelaide, under the leadership of Linda Bootherstone. The WIMA Worldwide 2000 rally, celebrating the 50th birthday of WIMA was held at Kiama south of Sydney at which Hazel Mayes was an honoured guest.
The National President and Committee are elected at the Annual Rally. Responsibility for the national organisation and newsletter moves to a new state every second year. All states have an active local network which can include meetings, rides, track and training days, advertised in state newsletters. Membership subscriptions are paid to the national body, but 25% is sent back to the state groups to help organise local activities.
International Rallies in Australia: 2000 Kiama [ 50th Anniversary Rally - Southern hemisphere ]
Website: www.wima-austria.at
The first rally held in Austria was in 1969. WIMA Austria was re-founded in 1996, though a very successful international rally was held here in 1993. There are around 15 members who meet monthly and organise trips and trials training.
International Rallies in Austria: 1999 Tyrol, 1993 Obervellach (organised from Germany), 1969 Ampflwang
email: info(at)wimabam(dot)be
email: truihanoulle(at)yahoo(dot)co(dot)uk
The Belgian devision of WIMA originated as BAM (Belgian Amazon Motorclub) after the very first motorbiker's run organized exclusively for women in 1992: the first Amazon Run, launched by some women riders "who were curious to find out how many more women were riding bikes". After this tremendous success having more then 200 women showing up and amid large media coverage, the organizers decided to found a women's bikers club with regular meetings, rides, evenings and weekends. In 1995 more and more contacts were made with foreign clubs. At the beginning of 1997 we applied to become the Belgian WIMA division, aiming at extending these very interesting international contacts. This way, we are now WIMA/BAM-Belgium with an enthusiastic, solid core who rides out together often, and keeps a club alive who already encouraged many women to ride themselves and stimulated their passion for motorbikes.
Our aims are quite simple: encouraging motorbiking amongst women. We welcome all women with an interest in motorbikes: riders, pillions and other enthusiasts.
Our members: Women of varying ages and backgrounds, with a lot, a little or hardly any motorbiking experience, riding (or not) on the most diverse motorbikes.
Events: Please contact us for details. From February till October, we ride out at least once a month. One or two weekends, an Opening and a Closing Dinner or Event, and other special activities such as a mechanic introduction day are also organized.
NL: Wij kozen ervoor om niet 3- of 4-talig te publiceren op deze website, maar ��ntalig Engels, in de veronderstelling dat wie op het Web surft, voldoende Engels begrijpt. Nederlandstalige informatie is echter wel beschikbaar op het kontaktadres voor WIMA/BAM-Belgium.
FR: Nous avons choisi de ne pas publier en 3 ou 4 langues, mais en Anglais uniquement, en supposant que celles qui surfent sur le Web, comprennent suffisamment l'Anglais. Par contre, notre information est bien disponible en Français par l'adresse de contacte WIMA/BAM-Belgium.
D: Wir wollten bei unseren Texten die �bersetzung in 3 oder 4 Sprachen vermeiden und haben deshalb beschlossen sie auf englisch zu ver�ffentlichen, in der Annahme, dass WebbenutzerInnen ausreichend des Englischen m�chtig sind. Informationen auf niederl�ndisch und franz�sisch findet ihr jedoch unter der Kontaktadresse von WIMA/BAM-Belgien.Becoming a member, you will receive:
- - an agenda at regular intervals, with dates and locations of rides, weekends and evenings, and other activities;
- - the possibility to participate in the "International WIMA Rally", an extremely interesting international meeting lasting one week. The "International WIMA Rally" is each year organized by and within another WIMA-country;
- - a group of women friends of varying ages and backgrounds, with a lot, a little or hardly any motorbiking experience, riding (or not) on the most diverse motorbikes. Some are always there, some come every once and now again. Some are members of other clubs, others are not. Some ride the year round, some are nice-weather-riders. Some like to race, others prefer to wander, and most are somewhere in between. And this might be one of the MAIN differences between a women's motorbiking club and other motorbiking clubs : the huge variety of people and bikes !!!
For more information, feel free to contact WIMA/BAM-Belgium. We'll send you our brochure and inform you about the next events on the agenda. Annual contribution is 12,40 EUR, but come and have a look first, on a ride, or any other event that suits you.
National President of the WIMA Curacao is Chinka (Signalda) Olario
M.J. Koopmanschap Secretary Parallelweg 31, Curacao
Ilona Schotborg is the Treasurer of WIMA Curacao
We are not an existing women's motorcycling group, but we are very enthusiastic female motorcyclists wishing to meet up with other motorcycling women. We are 'the lucky ones', being able to ride from beach to beach throughout the year, living on Curaçao in a tropical climate. Only in the rainy period we prefer to leave our motorcycles at home, because the roads can get rather slippery. But most of the time, the sun is shining and we need to put on sun-lotion or ride in the early morning of late afternoon not to get a sunburn! Luckily there's plenty of wind most of the time, so that we do not melt when standing still. In fact, we prefer to ride in jeans and a shirt, so no Gore-Tex for us. We do wear helmets on Curaçao ☺. Quite a few women are members of the local group Easy Riders, through which most of us have met each other. We are also in touch with women from other Caribbean islands, but because Curaçao has been independent since 10 October 2010 we have decided to be WIMA-Curaçao.
Website: www.wima.ee
National president is Anneli Pille
WIMA Estonia has 14 members and 1 cancicate. Division was officially registered on year 2000 in Tallinn, Estonia. They have a meeting/small event once a month all year round. For 2 year WIMA Estonia has organized season opening event for members and their friends. Every year they have a get-together with Finnish LBC/WIMA when it comes over for a visit. WIMA Estonia is actively involved in the organisation of bigger motorcycling events in Estonia like Jogevatreff (an annual international motorcycle rally). WIMA Estonia members were also in the organizer team of the FIM Moto Camp 2001 and FIM Rally 2005.
Website: www.wima.fi
National president is Leena Ryynänen
The "Ladies Bike Club" in Finland started in May 1993 and they joined WIMA in 1997. Today the club is known as Ladies Bike Club - WIMA Finland and it has about 400 members. Every year they have the opening Rally of the motorcycling season in May, the get-together Rally in June and the end-of-the-season Rally in September. In addition to these big events many smaller happenings are organized all around Finland. Though the summer time is short in Finland, the summer days are long and light to ride.
International Rallies in Finland: 2008 Ristiina/Historic Saimaa [ 50th European Rally ], 2000 Iisalmi [ 50th Anniversary Rally - Northern hemisphere ], 1973 Pihtipudas
Website: http://wima-france.blogspot.com
The national president is Sophie Vignon
email: sophie.vignon(at)aliceadsl(dot)fr
Started by Agnes Acker in the fifties, French WIMA first hosted an international in 1970. French Wima President Chantal and family organised the last French rally in 1990. French Wima has now 14 members and French Wima President is Sophie Vignon.
International Rallies in France: 1990 Saint Pierre, 1977 Meribel-les-Allues, 1974 La Petite Pierre, 1970 Col de Croix.
Website: www.wima-germany.de
A WIMA presence was established in Germany around 1952 and was led for many years by Ellen Pfeiffer, who organised the first international rally in Germany in 1959 on the Nürburgring. There are now approximately 340 German WIMA members, many of whom are also members of Women on Wheels or Hexenring, with whom WIMA has friendly links. Germany organised the 1999 rally in Tyrol, Austria.
International Rallies in Germany: 2007 Thuringen, 1992 Berlin, 1986 Vogelsberg, 1981 Buseck-Oppenrod, 1971 Kassel, 1968 Drees, 1965 Oberreifenberg, 1964 An dar Wasserkuppe, 1961 Nurburgring, 1959 Nurburgring
Website: www.wimagb.co.uk
The national division president is Val Newman
Started early in the 1950's (date unknown) and first rally (8 attendees!) was in 1956. Currently around 150 members. GB has a lively monthly newsletter, annual rallies, track days, off-road days, stands at most major motorcycle shows around the country and load of local events throughout the year.
International Rallies in Great Britain: 2011 Lancaster, 2003 Dorset, 1994 Usk/Wales, 1987 Ashbourne, 1982 Fort William/Scotland, 1978 Llanfelte Farm/Wales, 1990 Wiltshire [ 40th Anniversary rally ]
Hungary national division president is Emese Melicher.
The team of Motorcyclist Hearts was established in 2008 with the initiation of few biker girls. Our aim is to bring together more and more biker ladies in a friendly group of people. The original 15-20 people grew up to 60 registered users in the forum but we have more than 200 Members on Facebook and IWIW Hungarian community pages. We keep our visitors well informed on the website regarding accessories, clothing, news and events and you can also find our wide picture gallery. In our Forum we discuss what is useful, interesting from all points of view besides touring, racing and safety and of course getting to know each other with new members. Beside many of the motorcyclist event our future plans include a lot of similar tour to all over the Country where the country side Team members are more than welcomed. Especially those who just got their license we deeply recommend the ride tours to get experience and the opportunity to try the Hungaroring field with exclusively Women in safety condition. We are very proud of our 10 Members who became racers from Motorcyclist Hearts and achieved nice records at foremost conducted Dunlop Trophy Lady's cup. The amazing inspiration bears fruit and in addition they performed fine results also at Jura Racing, Alpe-Adria and GSX-R cup so they are in a fair way to succeed. The Races from another aspect we also have 4 educated Flag Marshal who are controlling and supervising the smooth transaction of laps including practice days. We are in a good relation with other clubs in Hungary also and the plan is of course to involve them too, if we can establish Wima-Hungary. They are collecting more of the chopper side bikers, scooters and all others.We represent ourselves every year on Motorbike Exhibitions and different kind of events. Including races, open days, we have good connection with a lot of bike stores; we do motorbike tours together, Safety drive training, Charity collection, processions and International Female ride day. So our common target is to raise our situation to a higher international level and be able to do more for the community.
"Wide road, rubber trees"
National President India - Ms Gauri Lokare
National Vice President - Ms Urvashi Patole
National Secretary & Web Master - Ms Firdaus Shaikh
WIMA - India constitutes India's budding female motorcycle riders and enthusiasts and provides a platform for women to come together and celebrate and the joy, passion and spirit of motorcycling.
Founded in 2011, the fleet of women bikers has evolved into an association in order to facilitate a connection among lady bikers from all over the country. The biking community and motorcycling industry in India and abroad has received the small and rapidly increasing organization with clamoring enthusiasm and interest. The organization is home to some of the leading women in the Indian motorcycling scenario and takes immense pride in the achievements of its members. Currently, the organization is home to India's only female biking club, 'Bikerni' which was formed by a bunch of enthusiastic ladies and WIMA - India takes immense pride in closely monitoring the achievements and extending its support to foster the development of this indigenous club. With more time and exposure, WIMA - India aims to house many such female oriented biking clubs under its wings in order to provide the needed exposure and competitive environment.
WIMA - India is open for registrations to any individual female biker and biker clubs, which have been formed and are functional in India. Through WIMA - World, we aim to spearhead a new chapter in the history of motorcycling in India and provide an international platform for Indian women riders to showcase their talents and passion across the globe.
For more details and information on how to become a member of WIMA - India you can connect with the following members of the board:
National President India - Ms Gauri Lokare
Email - gauri.lokare[at]gmail[dot]com
National Vice President - Ms Urvashi Patole
Email - urvashipatole[at]gmail[dot]com
National Secretary & Web Master - Ms Firdaus Shaikh
Email - dosmazda[at]gmail[dot]com
Website: www.wima.gr.jp
National president of the WIMA Japan is Michiko Hitomi
WIMA Japan launched April 1996 during international WIMA visit to Japan. Currently
there are about 70 members.
It is one of several women's bike clubs but the only international one in Japan,
and many members now regularly travel to Europe for the WIMA International
Rallies. They hold spring and autumn meetings often in the Japan Alps.
WIMA
Japan also held an International Rally successfully for the first time near Mt.
Fuji in 2010. There are quarterly newsletters. WIMA Japan would love to hear
from anybody, who would like to contact us.
International Rallies in Japan: 2010 Fujinomiya-city/Shizuoka, 1996 Izu.
National President of the WIMA Korea is Judy Kim (Yun Jung Kim)
Korea is one of the leading countries in Asia located next to Japan. Korea is well known for its culture, art, sports, and etc. to the foreigners in the world as well as a touring place. Mountains, beaches, rivers, and fields are well mixed and four seasons are also very well divided in Korea. Korea is a country that has beautiful nature. It's possible to enjoy the nature in different tastes due to the various seasons. There are clean and curved highways throughout the country which enable the riders to enjoy the riding. I've been waiting for the approval of the establishment of WIMA Korea from WIMA World. I've heard of WIMA with detail description from Sheonagh and Pat who were visiting Korea on bike in 2010. After hearing about WIMA, I made up my mind to establish WIMA in Korea. I collected a few members who were willing to participate in what I was trying to do and I sent the inquiry to WIMA World about establishing WIMA Korea. There are over 25,000 riders who ride for the leisure or hobby and approximately 300 of them are females. There have been a big increase in the number of bikers from a few years ago including female riders. However, I felt that it was very unfortunate for the female riders in Korea because there were no organizations for such riders in Korea as opposed to the number of the riders. WIMA Korea can be that organization for female riders that can provide the needs and this will also enhance the reputation to get better towards the female riders and the riders as a whole. Now we have over 30 members in Korea division. And 5 of them are the staffs.
Website: www.wimanederland.nl
Dutch WIMA started in 1981 and has approximately 70 members. Throughout the year all sorts of local activities are organised by the members at home. We call them TB, in Dutch "thuisbijeenkomsten", in English: Home meetings. In spring and autumn WIMA NL organizes WIMA-weekends. These weekends take place in Holland or in a neighbour country, like Germany or Belgium. In wintertime we organise a WIMA WINTER WEEKEND, we try to let it take place in a different region every year. This is a very big success.
We have an annual meeting once a year in March. There is a group of very active and enthusiastic members, who visit the several activities. The newsletter is published 4 times a year. The website is updated frequently. And members do get their information through mail. International WIMA members are warmly welcome to attend activities.
International Rallies in Netherlands: 2010 Markelo (European Meeting), 2004 Borculo, 1997 Heythuysen, 1989 Eiland van Maurik, 1983 Spaarnwoude, 1966 Aalst, 1963 Scheveningen, 1960 Scheveningen, 1958 Scheveningen
Website: www.wima.org.nz
National president is Carol Spaulding
email: president(at)wima(dot)org(dot)nz
WIMA Australasian Division was run from Rotorua in the 50's. WIMA NZ in its current form started in 1984. Each member keeps her number for life, so there are about 500 members, about 100 or so of which are currently paid-up members.
New Zealand (Aoteoroa) consists of three Island the North the south and Stewart Island we also have small islands off all our coasts. We have members on both islands but more in the North Island currently the majority of members are in Auckland but Wellington (capital city) still has a very active branch. Annual rally is held in November and is open to all motorcyclists.
International Rallies in New Zealand: 2005 Lake Taupo area
Website: www.wimapoland.pl
National president is Maura Raniecka
WIMA Poland was officially approved by National Presidents during WIMA Japan
Rally, on 29th of April 2010. There's ten of us for the end of 2010 but we hope
to grow up soon! Our main goal was and always be - just ride. We do believe that
riding across our own country and whole world is the best thing that we can do
in order to see new places, meet new girls and share our passion with them. It
makes us happy and we really enjoy it.
If you live in Poland and wish to join us, please contact the President at
e-mail provided above.
Website: www.wimasweden.se
National president of the WIMA Sweden is Carola Palmqvist
WIMA Sweden started around 1960 and has 200 members. They hold spring and autumn meetings and publish a quarterly newsletter. Most members live around Stockholm and the South of Sweden.
International Rallies in Sweden: 2005 Skåne, 1995 Morokulien, 1985 Galo, 1975 Omberg
Website: www.wima-schweiz.ch
Founded in 1978, WIMA Switzerland now has 70 members.
International Rallies in Switzerland: 2006 Hoch Ybring, 1998 Les Tuileries-de-Grandson, 1991 Steinen, 1984 Morbio-Superiore, 1980 Bumbach, 1976 Yverdon
Website: www.wimausa.org
WIMA USA division national president is Christin Voros
WIMA USA division national vice president is Rachael Westfall
WIMA was originally founded in America by Louise Scherbyn in 1950. WIMA USA is currently being re-established on the women's motorcycling scene by co-ordinator Alice Sexton.
International Rallies in USA: 2009 Keystone, Colorado, 1970 New York [ 20th Anniversary celebration ]