Our mission is to empower and unite lesbian and queer women motorcyclists, LGBTQ+ and women’s causes through philanthropy, rides, support of local communities, Pride events, and education.

Dignity
We honor the humanity, autonomy, and lived experience of every person we encounter.

Outreach
We build bridges across communities, organizations, identities, and generations.

Boldness
We understand visibility as leadership, not performance.

Ritual Kinship
We honor the traditions, responsibilities, and sacred trust of riding together.

Belonging
We create spaces where lesbian and queer women riders can be seen, supported, and strengthened.

Dykes on Bikes WMC was born in San Francisco when a group of lesbians showed up on motorcycles and jumped in front the city’s Pride parade. Something clicked—for the crowd, for the movement, and for queer people who had never seen lesbians so visible, so strong, so unapologetically front and center.

Since then, Dykes on Bikes® WMC has grown into an international symbol of resistance, freedom, and community. With chapters around the world, we are proudly lesbian-led, fiercely inclusive, and committed to standing at the front—not for recognition, but for protection.

We clear the path. We set the tone. We hold the line.

Yes, we said “DYKES.”

It’s a word that was once used to insult and isolate us. But like many marginalized communities, we reclaimed what was meant to hurt us and turned it into armor. In our mouths, “dyke” is not a slur—it’s a badge of honor. A signal of strength. A shout of survival.

When we tried to trademark our name in 2003, the U.S. government said “dyke” was too offensive. We disagreed. We took our case to court and won. After a 14-year legal battle, the Supreme Court affirmed what we’ve known all along: we have the right to name ourselves. Our visibility is not vulgar. Our pride is not profane.

Dykes on Bikes® stands for lesbian visibility, queer resilience, and gender diversity. We welcome women, trans and nonbinary riders, and anyone who shares our values of community, freedom, and collective liberation.

Our bikes may be vintage or brand new. Our riders may be seasoned leather dykes or first-time Pride participants. But every single one of us carries the heartbeat of this movement—engine by engine, ride by ride.

May 2025, Dykes on Bikes® “arrived” in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware for the first time when the Chapter was approved by the San Francisco Mother Chapter. We carry the legacy of five decades of DYKE grit and glory to the First State. We’re here to create something rooted in history and grown in local soil.

So if you see us on the road—leather vests glinting, rainbow flags flying, engines humming like thunder—know this:
We are Dykes on Bikes and we’re just getting started.

YES… we are dually a nonprofit organization created to carry a powerful legacy into local service.

We exist to empower and unite lesbian and queer women motorcyclists while supporting LGBTQ+ and women’s causes through philanthropy, rides, Pride events, education, outreach, and community partnerships.

Our work is visible on the road, but it reaches far beyond the ride. Every donation, sponsorship, fundraiser, event, and collaboration helps us build safer spaces, stronger riders, visible leadership, and lasting community.

We do not ride for profit. We ride for purpose — grounded in history, accountable to community, and ready to serve.