Cristine Sommer-Simmons

Cristine Sommer-Simmons: A Trailblazer in Women’s Motorcycling

Cristine Sommer-Simmons has spent her life championing women in motorcycling. Her passion began at nine as a passenger on her stepfather’s bike. By 14, she had her own motorcycle, and at 19, she bought her first Harley-Davidson. Since then, she has become a rider, journalist, advocate, and historian for women in motorcycling.

Breaking Barriers in Media

In 1985, Cris co-founded Harley Women, the world’s first motorcycle magazine for women. As co-publisher and editor, she traveled the country, collecting and sharing stories of female riders. Her work brought women motorcyclists into the spotlight, leading to numerous appearances in national newspapers, radio, and television.

Recognized as a Pioneer

Cris’s contributions earned her a place in the American Motorcycle Association’s (AMA) Women in Motorcycling exhibit in 1990. She later joined the AMA Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors in 2017 and has been honored by multiple motorcycle organizations for her advocacy and influence.

Acclaimed Author

Her writing extends beyond journalism. In 1994, she wrote Patrick Wants to Ride, an award-winning children’s book about motorcycling, which won the AMA Brighter Image MVP Award. In 2009, she published The American Motorcycle Girls 1900-1950, a top-selling book on motorcycle history. Her Cannonball Diary (2011) documented her grueling 3,200-mile cross-country ride on a 1915 Harley-Davidson.

A Life on Two Wheels

Cris has participated in multiple endurance rides, including the Motorcycle Cannonball and the Cross Country Motorcycle Chase, where she competed on vintage motorcycles under extreme conditions. She was the only American woman to complete the 2010 Motorcycle Cannonball, finishing 20th.

Advocacy and Leadership

Beyond riding and writing, Cris has spoken at major motorcycling events, museums, and exhibitions, including the Harley-Davidson Museum and the San Francisco Airport Museum. In 2022, she was honored with the prestigious Nancy Davidson Ambassador Award for her role in guiding and inspiring women in motorcycling.

Legacy and Inspiration

Cris and her husband, Pat Simmons of the Doobie Brothers, share a deep love for riding. They have completed several long-distance rides together on vintage Harleys. Today, she continues to inspire, educate, and support women in motorcycling, proving that passion and perseverance can break barriers.

From a young girl on the back of a bike to a Hall of Famer, Cristine Sommer-Simmons has paved the way for women in motorcycling, ensuring their voices are heard and their stories told.