Women make make up about 50 per cent of the population, so it stands to reason that they make up a huge percentage of the motorcycling community too.

And, in recognition of that, motorcycle sport's governing body in this part of the world, Motorcycling New Zealand, has created a dedicated Women's Commission, focussed on supporting all women who compete, volunteer, work in and are passionate about motorcycling in this country.

Recently-appointed MNZ women's commissioner Sandra Perry is perhaps the perfect person to undertake the voluntary role.

The MNZ Life Member was formerly the Chief Executive Officer and the former President of MNZ and so she brings a wealth of experience to the position.

Perry leads a group of like-minded people, there to assist her in the role and these individuals include, among others, former women's European and New Zealand road-race champion Avalon Biddle and Upper Hutt City Councillor Angela McLeod, who is also a member of the Manatū Wāhine, Ministry for Women.

"The purpose of the MNZ Women's Commission is to ensure women are well represented and treated fairly in motorcycling," says Perry, from Whangamata.

"We will do this by acting as a network within MNZ to support, enable and empower women and girls as competitors, administrators and governors; by providing comment, advice and feedback to the MNZ Board and other Commissions where we see support or change is needed for the fair treatment of women in motorcycling and by building the capacity and capability of women as competitors and governors in motorcycling

"We have three key points that are our strategic goals," says Perry.

"We need to increase the availability, relevance and quality of participation opportunities available to women and girls and ensure these opportunities are safe, appropriate and empowering for everyone involved.

"We aim to better value the voice of women and girls by providing equitable access for women and girls in leadership within our sport – be it through volunteering, administration, coaching, management, governance or other leadership opportunities and we seek to ensure that all women and girls, in all roles, are visible, feel positive about the contribution they make and value being involved and participating in all levels of our sport."

It's worth noting too that Perry's husband, Murray Perry, is also a Life Member of MNZ, has been a senior steward and has also served the sport in a myriad of ways over many years.

-By Andy McGechan, www.BikesportNZ.com