Nearly 20 percent of motorcycle riders are women, study

The number of women motorcycle riders is on the incline, mostly because of Millennials. 

That's according to the latest national survey by the Motorcycle Industry Council (MIC).

The study found that among all age groups, women make up 19 percent of motorcycle owners, compared with less than 10 percent less than a decade ago.

The survey found even greater ownership among younger generations. Among Millennials, 26 percent of motorcycle owners were women. Among Gen X, 22 percent were women.

"As the number of Boomers and mature motorcyclists shrink and are replaced by newer riders, we could soon be looking at a solid 25 percent of motorcycle owners being female," said Andria Yu, MIC director of communications. "We've seen with our own eyes."

The MIC polled more than 2,400 adults nationwide for the survey. 

While the percentage of women riders may be on the rise, total ridership is struggling in the U.S. Overall Motorcycle sales have been stagnant since the Great Recession, with annual sales peaking in 2006. 

More:Harley-Davidson earnings: US motorcycle sales continue to plunge, but profit jumps

Harley Davidson, the world's largest manufacturer of heavyweight motorcycles, has struggled to keep sales up in the U.S. in recent years, partly because the American manufacturer fails to attract younger customers who haven't shown as much interest as past generations. 

The company has also been impacted by tariffs imposed by the European Union on U.S. motorcycles in retaliation to President Donald Trump slapping tariffs on foreign steel and aluminum. 

Earlier this year, the company announced it is closing its assembly plant in Kansas City, Mo., and moving the work into its largest plant in York, Pa. 

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