Dykes on Bikes® Women’s Motorcycle Contingent is an organization committed to creating a local, national and international community of women motorcyclists and friends of women motorcyclists. Our mission is to support philanthropic endeavors in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and women’s communities, and to reach out to empower a community of diverse women through rides, charity events, Pride events and education.
Dykes on Bikes® – Salt Lake is organized and registered as a Utah non-profit and 501(c)(3) with IRS determination letter number: 26053407004685
If you enjoy riding your motorcycle and are looking for a group of fun women to ride with, then Dykes On Bikes® – Salt Lake is for you. The most important commitment of DoB membership is an open mind and open heart. Of course, we have meetings, collect dies, have incredible rides and events, and volunteer in the community. If you live in Utah and are interested in becoming a member, you are invited to join us on our next ride, event, or send us an email.
We love riding.. We have parties and enjoy weekends away together. Everyone is invited to our community events! Dykes on Bikes® – Salt Lake regularly organises ride-outs suitable for all types of bikes and speeds... really, all types of bikes and scooters are welcome and all skill levels of riders. Whether you ride a scooter or a chopper, you are welcome to ride with us. No one gets left behind! Our ride-outs range from parades, short, local routes, to continental travel.
The mission of Dykes on Bikes is shared with our sisters around the world. San Francisco is our mother chapter and manages the use of the Dykes on Bikes. Dykes on Bikes® name and trademark . Chapters have been established throughout the United States and the world, all of which support empowering a community of diverse women riders.
Women have often been the marginalised, silenced or invisible part of the Gay and Lesbian community, and it’s important that we have space where we can be loud and proud. Over the years our community has changed, and some of our members have changed how they identify, which means simply identifying as a woman may not cover their gender experiences. Our members well. Nowadays, members respect, welcome, and support to who need to explore their identity.
In 1976 a small group of 20 – 25 women motorcyclists gathered at the head of the San Francisco Pride Parade and, unbeknownst to them, a tradition began. One of these women coined the phrase “Dykes on Bikes®” and the San Francisco Chronicle picked it up and ran with it. For the next several years, riders just showed up and rode—no formal organization or registration. It was this way for several years until the middle to late 1980s. However, as SF Pride became more structured and our numbers kept growing, the need to organize Dykes on Bikes® became necessary; thus, the Women’s Motorcycle Contingent (WMC) was born.. However, in the press and LGBT culture, we continued to be known as Dykes on Bikes®.
The WMC was started by LB Gunn, Kalin Elliot-Arns, Christine Elliot, Sabine Balden and Mel. This name was used to make the group appeal to all women motorcyclists. The first meetings were held at a private home and then moved to an upstairs room at Amelia’s, a dyke/lesbian bar. When Amelia’s closed, the meetings were moved to The Eagle Tavern, at 12th St. and Harrison St., where meetings continue to be held. In 2003, the organizers voted to recognize our long history by changing the name To the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® Women’s Motorcycle Contingent (SFDOBWMC). Today we register and organize over 400 bikes for the San Francisco Pride Parade.
San Francisco is the mother chapter for the Dykes on Bikes® community. We have fought hard for and reclaimed the name Dykes on Bikes® to support non-profit, community and education efforts in the LGBT and women’s motorcycle communities. The San Francisco Dykes on Bikes® and Brook Oliver Law Group, P.C. filed and successfully fought the US Patent Trademark Office for the right to trademark our name “Dykes on Bikes” for non-commercial use. Our journey took 5 years (spanning 2003 to 2008) and was supported by many people and organizations including the National Center for Lesbian Rights and Townsend and Townsend and Crew. After being denied by the US Patent Trademark Office we took our case to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit and eventually to the Supreme Court who refused to hear a challenge to our to trademark our name, thus affirming the decision by the lower court to allow registration of the name. We could not have done it without all the help provided by our community, incredible legal team and the hard work of the patch holders, Board of Directors and Officers of the San Francisco Dykes on Bikes.
