Motorcycle group brings local women together
About 50 women took their motorcycles to the streets for a ride this morning. They are all part of a group called, “The Litas.” It started in 2015 in Salt Lake City and is exclusively for women.
“The number of women riders has increased so much over the last five years,” said Jessica Wise, founder of The Litas. “And so, I think there was just a need for a community. And so I think it was just kind of the right time I guess.”
The Litas is a way for women who love riding motorcycles to join together. They accept all women, no matter their skill set. They say they are a group that is also a support system.
“They gotta know that they have someone that has their back,” said Monique Purcell, found of the Idaho Falls division of The Litas. “That supports them, encourages them, and also is able to be there them as a positive, you know, role model. Saying, hey you can do this. We can go. If you wanna ride, you can do it.”
The Litas has a network of women that extends far. There are currently 6,000 members in 200 cities and 29 countries. Members can go to any place that has a group and join their ride.
“Being able to meet them has been life-changing,” Purcell said. “We have developed relationships and close bonds with these other ladies that will last a lifetime. It’s not something you can find every day with just every social daily interaction.”
The Litas was created for women to ride together in a typically male-dominated industry. It has now become a sisterhood that reaches many.
“It’s just a different feeling,” Wise said. “Like when I go out and ride with, you know, even 15 women, and today we have like 50 women here, which is crazy, but it’s just a different feeling. Like you kind of just look around and you’re like, this is awesome, you know. And it just makes you feel like you can do anything. Which sounds cheesy, but it’s true.”
The women started their ride in Idaho Falls, went up to Ashton, then over to Driggs and Victor, then back down to Swan Valley before heading back. You can learn more about The Litas here.
