Ahmedabad’s first all-girl biker gang ride for women in need

AHMEDABAD: The Ridernis, huddled at Swastik Crossroads, were quite a sight: their bikes gleaming in the early morning light and the girls gearing up, slipping on their gloves and securing their helmets.
After a quick briefing of the route, the Ridernis took off on International Women’s Daywith a smile on their face and the wind in their hair. Led by Anjaly Rajan — with her mother Shyla riding pillion — Aesha Upadhyay, Dhvani Soni and Jolly Vyas followed suit.
These girls are more than just talk. They don’t just ride their bikes, but are equally capable of changing a tyre, fixing the clutch wire and other minor repairs should the need arise.
And as far as their riding skills are concerned, safety comes first. Even as the morning traffic was pouring on to the streets of Ahmedabad, every Riderni had full control of her 110-120kg motorcycle. “Riding a superbike does not mean you have to race through the streets with no regard for traffic rules,” says 23-year-old Aesha, a lecturer, at the first signal they halt.
Call it fate or plain good luck, but Aesha, who fondly refers to her sports bike as ‘Hubby’, has found the perfect hubby-to-be. Recently engaged, Aesha’s fiancé is just as passionate about bikes and her future in-laws couldn’t be more proud and supportive.
Last year after the Nirbhaya case, the Ridernis teamed up with a city helpline to fight sexual violence. “There was a case of sexual harassment in Naroda and we rode out to the place from where we received a call for help,” says Anjaly, a team leader at a city-based BPO.
Her message for today, “To the men, I’d like to say that we girls can handle ourselves in any situation, with or without your support. And we hope you have a little confidence in us. To the women, there’ll always be struggles and you have to be able to raise your voice and make yourself heard. And we Ridernis are always there in times of need.”