From The Straits Times    |
a female biker in Singapore

Whether it’s being chased by other motorcyclists on a busy Malaysian highway or experiencing machine failures – these “road bumps” are enough to make any seasoned biker sweat. But 33-year-old Eugenia Tan takes it all in her stride.

She’s a passionate and proud owner of a Triumph Street Scrambler, an off-road bike that can go up to 280 kmh (the average motorcycle travels at a maximum of 130-265 kmh). Unsurprisingly, Eugenia is also an avid outdoor enthusiast who takes regular road trips on her Scrambler, especially to neighbouring Malaysia.

“I lead a very busy, fast-paced lifestyle. Outside of work, I enjoy going on adventures. On weekends, I usually dedicate one day for a solo road trip in Malaysia, usually along the east coast towards Mersing, or I’ll kayak from Pasir Ris to Pulau Ubin,” she shares.

The petite beauty marketing manager reveals that she’s been pursued by other motorcyclists on the Malaysia highway on two different occasions, which according to her, is one of the challenges that female riders can face on foreign roads.

“With a smaller frame, it’s quite noticeable that I’m a female solo rider even with a helmet, jacket and boots on. These [pranksters] tailgate and come really close, and follow my speed and direction even when I try to slow down to let them pass.

“Situations like that can be really dangerous even if they meant ‘no harm’. Accidents can happen any time. Thankfully, I’ve been lucky enough to receive help from other bikers on the road, and have been escorted to my next destination,” she says.

Beauty marketing manager Eugenia Tan discovered a passion for riding bikes during her university days, and has been riding since 2014.

Going full throttle

Eugenia discovered her love of motorcycles while backpacking in Thailand and Vietnam during her university days in 2010. Despite not having a licence, she would rent a scooter to get around whenever she visited these countries.

Unsurprisingly, Eugenia had a couple of minor accidents over the years – but instead of letting the experiences discourage her from riding, she decided to “be properly trained” and signed up to get a motorcycle licence in 2014.

She now has a Class 2 motorcycle licence, which she obtained in December 2022. The licence is for bikes 401cc and above – this means she’s eligible to ride all types of bikes in Singapore. However, it was not an easy journey, as students are required to take four theory lessons and 14 practical lessons before they can be eligible for the Traffic Police test.

“Getting a licence is indeed very time-consuming. Also, every lesson is a test, we have to pass each lesson to go on to the next. Students tend to have a very high repeat rate for each lesson at the beginner licence (Class 2B) phase as we have yet to master bike control. I repeated my first four lessons four times, which means taking a total of 16 classes. It gets better subsequently,” says Eugenia.

Even a regular commute comes with its own set of challenges. Navigating Singapore’s rush hour traffic aside, Eugenia has experienced machine failures on the road that she says were caused by screws coming loose.

“This happens due to the intense vibration [from the engine] over a long distance. I used to ride a KTM Duke 200. The first time my bike broke down, the entire gear shift gave way, while the second time was the side stand. I’ve learnt to remind my mechanic to ensure that all the screws are tight and well-maintained.

“To be honest, I’m not a motorcycle fanatic. I know nothing about the machine and its mechanics, and I depend heavily on my mechanic to ensure that my bike is in tip-top condition,” she states candidly.

While she might not be a “motorhead”, Eugenia appreciates how owning a motorcycle allows her to live life to the fullest. She views riding as an opportunity for character development as “biking can be nerve racking, because it is, after all, a high-risk activity”.

She adds: “Each time I leave home for a long trip, I can’t help but think at the back of my mind that I might not make it back, but this mentality helps me to be a lot more careful and aware on the road.”

In fact, Eugenia was involved in a bad crash in Chiang Rai, Thailand, during a solo road trip through South-east Asia in 2019.

“I skidded on the road, which was slippery and uneven, and was dragged by my bike for a good 50m before it stopped. Although I wore a riding jacket, gloves and boots, I had a very bad rupture on my knees and lower waist, and a fractured finger,” she reveals.

The locals who witnessed the accident sprung into action immediately: They helped pick up her bike and arranged for it to be sent back to her hotel, while the hotel staff assisted her with the paperwork at the police station, and visited her at the hospital.

“Local bike communities were helping me to find solutions to tow the bike back from Chiang Rai to Singapore. I was deeply touched by all the helping hands that were extended to me – from the hospitable people in Thailand who took care of me, to the extensive connections through the motorcycling community that got my bike towed back to Singapore,” she says.

After eight years of riding, Eugenia now owns her dream bike: the Triumph Street Scrambler.

Not slowing down

Being a female motorcyclist, Eugenia has been on the receiving end of disparaging remarks about riding being an activity that’s too dangerous for women. But she brushes these comments aside and says that while there are some who might frown on her hobby, she’s also received encouragement from friends and fellow bikers whenever she goes on her road trips.

“I get comments such as ‘respect’ or ‘I’m living vicariously through your stories’ on social media, or even just regular check-ins to make sure that everything is going smoothly,” she shares.

Nevertheless, she has observed an increasing trend of women picking up biking, and adds that the local biking community is welcoming of new additions, regardless of one’s gender.

“Generally, I think there’s a lot of mutual respect among bikers. We help each other when in need, and I’ve received so much kindness on the road. I’ve developed new friendships with good people, from fellow enthusiasts who exchange stories and tips, to the kind souls who’ve helped me during my accidents,” she says.

She admits to being an adrenaline junkie who enjoys the thrill of the rush she gets during long rides or road trips.

“I love the long hours of speed and concentration, and also the wonderful scenery along the way. It liberates me and allows me to reconnect with myself, because in those moments, it’s just me and my bike.”

PHOTOGRAPHY Nur Annissa Athirah
ART DIRECTION Ray Ticsay