On the doorstep of Cyclesport Wairua, the revving of engines and the sound of motorcycles – Harley, Suzuki, Moto Guzzi – and braids flying as strands whip into the wind.
Outside the venue, the women’s biker community The Litas Auckland has gathered for their monthly meeting. Like any other women’s group, they discuss their hobbies, but instead of discussing everyday topics, they discuss tires.
Although The Litas started in the United States, they can now be found all over the world, from Kuala Lumpur to British Columbia. The Litas describe themselves as a “global women’s team” with more than 300 affiliates around the world.
The group was founded in 2015 in Seattle by a woman named Jessica Wise, who was simply looking for people like herself before moving to New Zealand that same year. There are six chapters of The Litas in New Zealand, with Auckland having about 260 members.
Ali Miller, one of the founders of the Auckland branch, said that before 2015, there was “nothing like what we have here” in New Zealand. The Litas has its own heroes, from motocross racers to mechanics.
The Litas create a space for different female motorcyclists to socialize and support each other. For Tracy Kellett, another founder, The Litas is more than just a group. It’s a home.
Miller was recently named The Litas Founder of the Year by The Litas. She has received hundreds of messages of gratitude from the women riders she supports and inspires.
