Self Defense and Motorcycles: What Do They Have In Common?
What do motorcycles and self-defense classes have in common? More than I expected, and no, punching your motorcycle when it won’t start doesn’t count.
At first, self-defense was just another workout for me. A good way to stay active, get stronger, and learn something new. But over time, I realized it was giving me something much more important: confidence.
I’m 5'4" and about 125 pounds. I’m realistic. If I ever find myself in a physical confrontation with a much bigger and stronger man, the odds may not exactly be in my favor. And I’m pretty sure I won’t suddenly turn into an action-movie hero just because I practiced a technique in class.
Lera and Scott at Krav Maga Forge, Holly Springs
But there is one important difference: I’m less likely to freeze.
I know I can move. I can react. I can try to create an opportunity to get away. It may not look anything like what we practiced in class, and it definitely won’t look pretty, but I have a better chance of doing something instead of freezing in panic.
And I think that matters for women who ride motorcycles.
Riding can put us in unfamiliar places and unexpected situations. Maybe we’re traveling alone, stopping at a gas station late in the day, dealing with an aggressive stranger, or simply finding ourselves somewhere that suddenly doesn’t feel right.
Self-defense doesn’t mean looking for a fight. Quite the opposite. If you can walk away, walk away. If you can ride away, even better — motorcycles are pretty useful for that! Physical confrontation should always be the last option.
But confidence and awareness can help long before anything becomes physical.
Lera and Scott at Krav Maga Forge, Holly Springs
Pay attention to what is happening around you. When you stop somewhere, notice the people around you. Know where the entrances and exits are. Listen to that little voice telling you when something feels off. Instead of waiting until a situation becomes a problem, think about how you would leave if you needed to.
To me, that is one of the biggest lessons from self-defense: don’t panic, keep thinking, keep moving, and act when you need to.
A confident woman carries herself differently. I believe people can sense that confidence too.
So what do motorcycles and women’s self-defense have in common?
For me, both have taught me to be more aware, more confident, and more prepared to handle the unexpected. And hopefully, the toughest fight I’ll have on my next ride is finding neutral.
written by Lera Burshtein
all photos courtesy of Krav Maga Forge, Holly Springs
