After enjoying solo biking adventures for the past four years, Ambika Sonia (47) now wishes to share that excitement with young women from her city. She has launched a new initiative — Punj-Aab Riders — along with a motorcycle training academy specifically for women. Within just a month, 32 women have enrolled in her classes. Of these, 10 have gained sufficient skills and joined her on a 56-kilometre ride to Nurmahal last Sunday.

“It was an incredibly fulfilling experience to ride with them,” Ambika said. “Even more, it felt deeply gratifying to help these women realise a dream they had long held — learning to ride a motorcycle, something life circumstances had kept out of reach.”

Describing the women currently undergoing training, Ambika shared, “They are between the ages of 25 and 45.

A few are school educators. One woman has even purchased a Royal Enfield Super Meteor 650, a bike typically associated with male riders. Others are practicing on motorcycles belonging to their husbands, sons, or brothers. For those without access to a vehicle, I provide my own bikes — a Meteor 650, a Honda, and a recently acquired Hunter. I specifically chose the Hunter for instruction because of its low seat height, which makes it easier for women to manage.”

Ambika also ensures that all her trainees are properly equipped with protective gear, including helmets, knee pads, jackets, gloves, and more.

Ambika began riding during the COVID-19 lockdown period. Her husband, a banker, gifted her a Royal Enfield, which sparked her passion. Before that, she used to go on cycling outings with local biking clubs. But once she started riding motorcycles, there was no turning back. Within a year, she accomplished an impressive 7,725 km journey from Kashmir to Kanyakumari in just 18 days. She has also completed over seven trips to Ladakh.