Thousands of women around the world have kicked off 2026 by doing something simple but powerful: meeting each other and passing a baton. Not on a racetrack, but face to face, across cities, countries, and cultures. The Women Riders World Relay has returned in a new digital form, and the response has been overwhelming.
What began years ago as a physical relay has evolved into an app-powered movement, allowing women riders to connect through a virtual baton that must still be passed in person. In just the first month, more than 7,000 baton passes were completed—each one representing a real encounter, a shared moment, and a reminder that women riders are everywhere.
This isn’t about chasing numbers, even if a million participants now feels within reach. It’s about visibility. Road riders, adventure riders, commuters, beginners—everyone is welcome. The app goes beyond the relay, offering skill challenges, local events, and rewards that celebrate progress rather than perfection.
For many women, riding has often felt like a solitary experience in a male-dominated space. This initiative quietly flips that narrative. It creates a living network where support feels natural, not forced, and where showing up for each other is the point.
My take: The motorcycle industry has long underestimated women riders. Movements like this don’t shout—but they endure. And that steady, global connection may be exactly what finally makes the industry listen.
