Tina Chakma, first female stunt biker, intern at Ranks Motorbikes Limited. & student of Human Resource Management
When men or boys see me on a so-called man’s bike, they either get jealous or feel offended. I think they get more offended when they see I‘m an indigenous female. I can read their eyes; that me driving a bike is not “acceptable” to them because of my identities – “an indigenous. a woman.” People even wonder that my parents bought me a bike and allow me riding it in public.
It is rare that I didn’t find any man riding a bike or car even truck who didn’t behave in a sexist and racist way as they encounter me on the streets. Sometimes they intentionally try to push me off the road. I wonder whether they understand that it might kill me. Or may be that’s what they want. But I am not the one to be sacred. I know my bike, I love my bike, and I know it loves me too. I am confident as I am always fair and follow my heart .