Women’s Motorcycle Store Roars on Vancouver Island

West Coast Roar Women’s Motorcycle Store

A Vancouver Island Destination

When it opened in 2011, West Coast Roar was the only motorcycle clothing store focusing on women in Canada, and one of the few anywhere.  Greer Stewart and Joley Baker are the owners of the shop.  For these two women motorcycles have been a passion for most of their lives, and they love nothing more than to share the exhilaration and freedom they find when riding.

Besides offering a large inventory of motorcycle gear and clothing specifically designed for women, they are also a resource, participating in group rides and fundraising events, connecting women to safety training and assisting them in finding bikes, clothing and gear in a male-dominated activity.  They are also very involved in the Canadian Women’s Ride Day.  West Coast Roar has become a popular place not just to shop but also to come hang out and talk bikes or whatever with these two friendly and knowledgable women and their staff.

The women have a retail store strategically located on Vancouver Island’s Trans Canada Highway near Mill Bay, just outside of Victoria and on the way to Nanaimo. Coincidentally the scenic mountainous stretch of Malahat Highway where their shop  resides is popular with bikers from far and wide exploring the island, making them a destination not only for bikers, but also those who like the edgy fashion that they offer for sale.

Their belief in the freedom that riding brings to women is maybe best summed up by one of their male customers on their website:

“I agree with the Dalai Lama, the world will be saved by the western woman. This is about so much more than riding motorcycles, it’s a metaphor for women to recognize their own incredible capabilities, and that journey is a beautiful thing to see. Thank you all for being leaders!”

-Gord H

And although the emphasis is on women’s gear they do have an impressive stock of men’s gear as well.