Road to Freedom: Kochi Women Ride Towards Independence

Kochi : Royal Brothers, India’s leading bike rental platform, in partnership with Moto Business Service India (MBSI), a subsidiary of Yamaha Motor, Japan, successfully hosted the latest edition of its “RB For Women” bike riding initiative in Kochi, aimed at promoting women’s empowerment and independent urban mobility. More than 150 women participated in the programme, which provided practical training in handling automatic and gearless scooters for daily city travel, along with hands-on guidance in riding geared motorcycles. Under the supervision of professional trainers, participants learned essential riding and safety skills, including low-speed balancing, throttle control, emergency braking and defensive riding techniques. Equipped with safety gear and vehicles provided by MBSI to Royal Brothers, the participants completed the training in a supportive and encouraging environment. Each participant received a certificate of completion along with enhanced confidence to navigate city roads safely. The initiative, which has trained more than 1,500 women across India, seeks to break traditional stereotypes surrounding women and two-wheeler mobility while promoting greater independence and accessibility. Royal Brothers, which launched operations in Kerala this year with a presence across four cities, operates through a local franchise model that supports grassroots entrepreneurs and creates employment opportunities within local communities. Speaking on the occasion, Abhishek Chandrashekar, Co-Founder and CEO of Royal Brothers, said that the energy and determination displayed by the women participants in Kochi reflected the growing importance of mobility independence. He highlighted that the partnership with MBSI enables Royal Brothers to provide safe and reliable two-wheelers while advancing its mission of expanding access over ownership across India. Kobayashi Masaharu, CEO and Managing Director of MBSI, said that “RB For Women” goes beyond teaching two-wheeler riding and contributes towards breaking social barriers by promoting accessible and sustainable mobility. He added that supporting women’s empowerment initiatives can create greater avenues for economic self-sufficiency and personal freedom. The strong participation in Kochi highlights the growing demand for independent mobility among women in Kerala, with initiatives such as “RB For Women” helping women gain the skills and confidence to manage daily commutes, professional responsibilities, errands and personal travel independently.