Saudi women riders challenge norms on motorcycles
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In Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Samad Mohammad Sharif, known as “Sam,” found confidence and independence through motorcycle riding.
Sam began riding during a difficult time in her life, seeking balance and self-discovery. Her story reflects broader social and economic changes for women in Saudi Arabia, including the lifting of the ban on women driving in June 2018, which led to the issuance of 174,624 driver’s licenses to women by January 2020.
The Saudi government’s “Vision 2030” aims to increase women’s participation in the workforce, already exceeding its initial goal of 30 percent and now targeting 40 percent by 2030. However, economic progress doesn’t fully capture the social shifts occurring as women test boundaries in areas traditionally dominated by men. Sam’s experience exemplifies this, as she overcame fear and learned to balance, eventually becoming a certified motorcycle instructor.
Sam co-founded “Moto Girls,” a Jeddah-based community with around 170 members, to encourage and support women in the sport. The group shares experiences and advice online and has supported over 200 women in improving their riding skills, participating in events like “Pink October” and the Saudi National Day ride.
Sam hopes to establish a legally recognized motorcycle training school, and she believes her journey, along with those of other Saudi women, is shifting perceptions and creating a more inclusive society, with 22 Saudi women receiving patents and 1,956 winning awards in sports in 2024.
