Amanda Hazzah is an inspirational rider and motorcycle trainer with over two decades of riding experience. She is also the co-founder of The Women’s Moto Project (TWMP). As an accomplished trainer, she saw a need for female motorcyclists to continue their training while honing their skills in a supportive environment. The genesis of TWMP came after Amanda received inquiries from women seeking options to learn in an all-female environment when she was teaching at Clutch Motorcycle Training Inc.
TWMP is an established community-based organization that helps women become confident and safer riders through grassroots classes, skills practice courses, group activities, mentorship and social outings. TWMP is committed to creating a culture within the moto community that is supportive of all riders. Amanda is one of 3 co-founders; Beth Carter is a certified motorcycle instructor, Tara El Naggar is a military motorcycle instructor, and Amanda is an instructor and training site owner. With combined talent, these ladies have rendered an impressive training course that has paved the way for the next generation of female riders.
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorney: Tell us a little about yourself and how you got your start in motorcycles.
Hazzah: I got started when I was 17. My uncle Bob taught me and my sister, Tara, on his farm in Vermont. We grew up in Boston and I was hooked. I didn’t know what I was doing. And my Uncle Bob had a ton of toys. He had motorcycles and Ski-Doos and he had every big toy you could imagine. He was the fun uncle.
The first thing I did when I got on [the bike] was pop a wheelie down his driveway and he was like, “Wow, she’s a natural.”
Caption: Slow race line-up at one of TWMP’s courses (Photo: Owned by TWMP)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorney: What are you riding these days?
Hazzah: Currently, I have a BMW GS 310. My first bike was a 1979 Honda Twinstar. I then bought a Honda Shadow, then a BMW 1200R (which is the one I rode cross country from Boston to LA), then moved onto a Triumph Thunderbird Sport, then a Ducati Monster, then a BMW 650GS, then an 800GS, a Ducati Scrambler, then a 1973 R-75 Toaster, and a X-Country BMW (sold while pregnant with my son).
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorney: What sparked your desire to start The Women’s Moto Project?
Hazzah: As a woman rider and trainer, I always wanted to give back to further support women and their quest to ride. The idea came about from a few of our female beginner course graduates, who enjoyed the course and wanted to know what options there were in continuing their learning in an all-women environment. Thus, The Women’s Moto Project was born. I am one of 3 co-founders; Beth Carter is a certified motorcycle instructor, Tara El Naggar is a military motorcycle instructor, and I am an instructor and training site owner.
Caption: A TWMP trainer assisting a student (Photo: Owned by TWMP)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorney: In your opinion, what is the best way for riders to build confidence on their bike?
Hazzah: First and foremost, take a beginner course to get the fundamentals of riding. Second, wear all of your safety gear. Third, be a lifelong learner — take as many training sessions (street, track, dirt) as possible. Lastly, sign up for The Women’s Moto Project as we are expanding our training events beyond Long Beach, California!
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorney: Tell us about your thoughts on why the female riding community is growing more than ever?
Hazzah: Millennials! Today, women make up 19% of motorcyclists compared with less than 10 percent less than a decade ago. That’s according to the latest national survey by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC). The survey found even greater ownership among younger generations. Among Millennials, 26 percent of motorcycle owners were women. Given these statistics, it must be noted that by the year 2032 women will make up at least 50% of the motorcycle industry. As a trainer of more than 20 years, I’ve seen the growth first-hand. The number of women in a basic training class has increased from 1-2 in a class of twelve 10 years ago to 5-6 in a class of twelve today.
Caption: Bikes in staging with Tara El Nagga (co-founder of TWMP) (Photo: Owned by TWMP)
Russ Brown Motorcycle Attorney: What is the best advice you received from someone when you first started riding that still sticks with you today?
Hazzah: Ride like you are invisible.
The Women’s Moto Project was founded by women, for women. It’s no surprise that they’re having great success in Southern California — we can’t wait to see where they go from here. If you are interested in becoming a rider or want to brush up on your skills, The Women’s Moto Project encourages you to join in on the fun. Learn more about the program on their website and Instagram. Ride safe, and thanks for reading!
