User talk:Stevebrown2

Significantly ‘Motorcycling for Women’by Betty and Nancy Debenham was published in 1928, when women achieved an equal voting age with men at 21. The book reflects a golden period when there were more motorcycles on the road than cars and anyone could ride a motorcycle at 14 without passing a test or wearing a helmet. You will see from the photographs in this book that the authors Nancy and Betty Debenham were attractive, adventurous and happy young ladies who thoroughly enjoyed their motorcycling. The sisters became poster girls for BSA motorcycles in 1927. However, they were also hardy, tough, brave, knowledgeable and resilient motorcyclists in their own right and not just selected for their looks. Indeed, Nancy won a Gold Medal at Brooklands Racetrack in 1926. They were often accompanied on their journeys by their little dog Poncho who would sometimes stowaway in the sidecars and cars of strangers. They were part of a small but very enthusiastic band of female motorcyclists who took part in all kinds of motorcycle events; including gymkhanas, trials and journeys to foreign parts. By modern standards the sisters escapades in riding a sidecar outfit with just a few minutes training, finding a certain lack of brakes and clutch and tying the sidecar on with rope would give a present day health and safety officer a heart attack. However, I’m sure none of these events were particularly unusual in the twenties. Perhaps some of the more enlightened manufacturers saw the equalisation of the voting age as a chance open up a new market at a time when motorcycle sales had dipped due to the introduction of cheap cars such as the Austin 7. This book seems to be part of a concerted campaign by British Motorcycle Manufacturers to promote motorcycling for women. However,not all those in the Male Dominated industry were so enlightenened and it seem that the book may have been supressed. It is thought that only a few original copies exist. Thankfully,the book has finally been republished in 2013.

Overall ‘Motorcycling for Women’ is a Cheery, Practical guide to Motorcycling in the 1920’s written by two sisters who just loved motorcycling. Motorcycling for Women by Betty and Nancy Debenham 1928 republished by classicmotorcyclemanuals.com

2013