Co-owner Roger Barons said that they had put together a display of ten scooters and bikes that were perfect for ladies. The machines come in a wrange of colours – including pink for all the Barbie girls.
Roger explained that they also had a comprehensive range of clothing and helmets in girls’ sizes, colours and styles.
‘These bikes are great for girls who might have shorter legs and don’t want a very heavy machine,’ he explained. ‘We are also giving away a free jacket, gloves and helmet to first-time riders who buy bikes.’
Motorama also hire to those who don’t want to make the commitment of buying a bike before they get their compulsory basic training certificate. Hiring a bike costs £51, but that is given back if you later buy a bike.
‘It’s all about giving people the confidence to come forward and give bikes a go,’ said Roger.
To help launch the initiative, Roger asked some of his female customers to come down and explain why they love biking. Paulina Jaskulska (29), who works as a project officer for lawyers Mourant, has been riding her latest bike, a Yamaha R6, for around a year.
‘I just love the speed, but not going too crazy in Jersey,’ she said. ‘Also, because I’m a girl, the bike must look good. Guys give you respect for being able to handle a big machine.’
Paulina has taken her time to graduate to a big bike because she feels it is important to develop good road sense and trespect the power of bigger machines. She started out on a Honda CBR.
‘It is probably not a good idea for younger people to have big bikes, to be honest,’ she said. ‘You have to have big respect for bigger machines before you get on one, so I’m a big fan of the long waiting time between starting on a 50 and moving up to a big machine.’
Paulina added that she generally got a very positive response from both guys and other girls when they found out she rode a big bike.
Sara Montalvao (24), a support worker, rides a street-fighter-styled Yamaha XJ6. ‘I’ve been riding bikes on the road legally since I was 16 and not legally since I was 11 back in Portugal,’ she admitted. ‘My uncle had a scooter in Portugal and I learned to ride on that.’
She got her first 125 at 16 and has never lost the bug. ‘I think people admire a girl on a bike, especially the men,’ she said. ‘They admire a girl who rides a big bike. They find it pretty sexy – depending on what you’re wearing!
‘I would like to see more women riding. It is more competition for the men, but I think women ride less aggressively than men. I do enjoy riding, but I am very, very careful.’
Magda Piotrowska (28), who works at Motorama, rides a 125. She said: ‘I have loved bikes ever since I was a kid. I like the speed and the cornering – everything. It is much more exciting than driving a car.’
