Constabulary Motorcycle Officer launching free bike and ride out event to celebrate International Women’s Day

The theme for International Women's Day 2026 is 'Give to Gain', with this year's worldwide campaign encouraging a mindset of generosity and collaboration.

Whether that is through donations, knowledge, resources, infrastructure, visibility, advocacy, education, training, mentoring, or time, contributing to women's advancement helps create more supportive and interconnected communities.

With that theme in mind, Cheshire Constabulary's Motorcycle Unit is hosting an event for women bikers of all abilities on International Women's Day next month (March).

With support from colleagues from Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service, National Highways, BikeSafe and BMW, anyone with an interest in anything on two wheels is invited down to the Chester Motorrad Service on Knutsford Way, Chester, between 11am and 3pm on Sunday 8 March to meet like-minded riders and experienced bike technicians.

Attendees can also book a ride-out session, overseen by professional riders from both the Constabulary Motorcycle Team and BikeSafe. Discounted vouchers for the police-led BikeSafe initiatives will be available on the day.

Officers from the Motorcycle Unit and BikeSafe will also be on hand throughout the day to provide tips and advice on overall bike maintenance, as well as safer riding techniques.

Event organiser Police Constable Jen Whelan, of the Motorcycle Unit, said:

“This exciting event that celebrates women in the bike riding community, in policing and beyond, is being led by Cheshire Constabulary’s Motorcycle Team, with the support of our community partners at Cheshire Fire and Rescue, National Highways and BMW Motorrad.

“Whether you’re a woman who’s new to biking, an experienced rider, or just want to know a bit more about what we as a force do on the road, you will be more than welcome at the day and in the company of other like-minded motorcyclists."

PC Whelan is currently the Constabulary's only female member of the force's Motorcycle Unit, which is based at the Winsford Headquarters.

The Unit is vital to the day-to-day running of the Constabulary; whether that be through assistance on roads related operations and deployments such as Operation Lawmaker, which directly targets the anti-social and dangerous riding of off-road and illegal bikes, responding to emergency incidents quicker than traditional patrol cars due to their size and agility or managing traffic incidents and escorting motorcades, they are involved in all aspects of policing.

Joining the force in 2020, PC Whelan initially worked within the Response team. It was during this time here that her tutor put her in touch with the Roads and Crime Team's Motorcycle Unit, which would eventually lead to her completing both her off-road and standard motorcycle response courses and going on to assist the team on her days off from response work.

Four years later, in October 2024, Jen moved to the unit full-time and, within a year of joining the team at the Motorcycle Unit, passed her advanced motorcycle course.

Not only this, but PC Whelan became the first woman with the Constabulary, and only the fifth woman nationally, to pass the National VIPEX course, which now allows her to escort high individuals such as royalty and international dignitaries.

It was this year's IWD theme of 'Give to Gain' that prompted PC Whelan to set up the event for other female motorcyclists like herself.

PC Whelan added:

"I have had firsthand experience of a lack of female representation across two wheels, which is something I am keen to change.

"In line with this, I have planned an event for International Women's Day 2026. The theme this year is 'Give to Gain', which encourages a mindset of generosity and ambition. This upcoming event next month allows interaction with highly trained Cheshire Police Motorcyclists in a relaxed environment."

To sign up for the ride out event, please click here.

To find out more about the day itself, visit the Halliwell Jones Motorrad website.