Empowerment in Overdrive: Motul’s ‘Ladies Learn to Ride’ Event Sees a Full House Conquer the Two-Wheeled World
The roar of engines was matched only by the sounds of cheers and whoops of joy at the ADA Outdoor & Training facility in Johannesburg on Saturday, 23 May 2026, as Motul hosted another highly successful edition of its flagship ‘Ladies Learn to Ride a Motorcycle’ initiative. With every single spot filled, the event proved once again that the appetite for female riding in South Africa is growing in leaps and bounds.
The day brought together women of all ages and walks of life, including young students supported by their families, wives accompanied by their husbands, and groups of friends looking for a unique weekend adventure. There were also plenty of solo participants who arrived with a few nerves but left with a brand-new network of friends, bonded by a shared, empowering experience.
Every participant arrived with little to no previous motorcycling experience. However, thanks to the world-class instruction provided by the expert trainers at ADA, every single lady left having ridden a motorcycle completely unassisted by the end of the day. As nerves settled and confidence soared, the initial apprehension transformed into pure triumph. It was an authentic showcase of women-power, made even more special by the husbands, partners, and sons cheering enthusiastically from the sidelines.
For Mercia Jansen, Managing Director of Motul South Africa and the founder of the initiative, seeing the event continue to thrive is deeply personal.
“This day is incredibly close to my heart,” says Jansen. “When I founded Ladies Learn to Ride, I wanted to create a space where women could discover the freedom, confidence and joy of riding without pressure or intimidation. Learning to ride can feel daunting, especially in a mixed group or when being taught by someone close to you. This event gives women the room to learn, make mistakes, laugh, and build confidence at their own pace.”
“That moment when a woman rides unassisted for the first time is pure magic. The Motul team loves being part of it — we arrive in our numbers, get stuck in, and do whatever it takes to support the riders, whether that means running alongside them, catching a wobble, or kick-starting a bike. It is one of our favourite events of the year, and we love every second of it.”
Beyond the immediate thrill of the day, the initiative aligns seamlessly with Motul’s core values of passion, camaraderie, and continuous development. By introducing a new demographic to riding, Motul is actively driving the growth of the broader South African motorcycling industry. The event also offers a vital bridge for women who have previously only experienced riding as a pillion passenger, as well as for a younger generation searching for authentic, “in real life” (IRL) experiences away from their screens.
Crucial to the success of this edition was the support of official motorcycle sponsor Honda Motor Southern Africa, who provided a fleet of user-friendly bikes for the day and brought their own team along to offer hands-on support and participate alongside the attendees. Riaan Fourie, Head of Honda Motorcycle Division for Honda Motor Southern Africa, commented: “We were absolutely thrilled to partner with Motul and ADA once again to make the freedom of riding accessible to everyone. Providing the right motorcycles in such a supportive environment was a true privilege, and our team loved being right there on the ground to help guide and welcome these women into the riding community.”
To capture the spirit of the day, here is what some of the weekend’s newly minted riders had to say:
“I went from photographing and filming motorcycles for years to finally learning the fundamentals of riding one myself, in a safe and supportive environment. I even experienced a very unplanned (but eye-opening) wheelie along the way. I would highly recommend the course to other women wanting to learn to ride, as it builds confidence from the ground up with patient instruction and zero pressure.” – Meghan McCabe, freelance photographer/videographer and photographic instructor.
“Thanks to the organisers and the very patient instructors. From never being on a motorcycle to actually being able to ride around the training area was an amazing experience.” – Tanya van Lith, mom supported by her husband and son on the day.
“It was a day to face fears and overcome challenges that I thought I had. I learnt that riding a bike is not only about ability but doing it with confidence, you need to believe in yourself in order to do it. I learnt to trust in my skills and that I need to work on my concentration face. I got up on Sunday morning and couldn’t wait to show my family everything that I had learnt because the last time, I wheelied myself off the back of a bike!” – Em van der Walt, solo participant who wants to join her husband on rides.
To view the highlights, including BTS images and videos of the ladies in action, follow Motul SA on FB or Motul SA on IG. For more information on Motul’s extensive range of high-performance products and ongoing community initiatives, visit the official Motul website.
