If you are female, have ever been stuck in a jam and wished you had the confidence to weave in and out of the traffic on two wheels, help is at hand.
Girls’ Angels motorbike and scooter training school has been set up in Fulham by Alison Grade to teach wannabe female bikers.

The 32-year-old founded the school in November 2002, and it has been up and running since March 2003.

Alison, a former MBA student at the Insead College in Fontainebleau, France, decided to set about forming the club when she was trying to buy a motorbike one summer in London.

“I needed to get a job in London and I realised it would make life more bearable if I had a motorbike.

“But I had a really bad experience when I went to buy one – dealers were very unhelpful – and in my frustration I decided I should set up a scheme for women who want advice on how to buy and ride motorbikes.”
She set up the motorbike and scooter training school, which has already organised more than 500 training days.

It teaches compulsory basic training, mandatory for all new motorcyclists once they pass their tests and caters for beginners to advanced riders.
“There have been lots of women who want to get on big bikes as well,” said Ms Grade, “It’s a really friendly place for women to learn how to ride and we’ve had some great feedback.”

Classes take place in playgrounds at St John’s School in Filmer Road, Fulham, and St Thomas’ School in Estcourt Road, also in Fulham, as learner motorcyclists are not allowed to ride on the road.

What comes as a bit of a surprise when Ms Grade’s achievements are considered is the fact that she is still a relative novice motorcyclist herself.
“I ride a Honda Firestorm VTR 1,000, but only took up riding in the last couple of years,” she said.

Ms Grade hopes to franchise the venture in London and other metropolitan areas. For more information on Girls’ Angels, call 07984 156797

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