Female bikers pick up speed in Sturgis

More and more women motorcyclists are taking charge of the bikes themselves, rather than riding on the back seat.

Recent studies from the Motorcycle Industry Council show women riders account for only 14% of the total population in the United States.

Even walking down the streets in Rally Town, women bikers were few and far between.

But that's not stopping one woman from Michigan, who hopped on the biker bandwagon years ago.

Terri Szeszulski from Vassar, Michigan says, "I enjoy riding myself more than being on the back of my husband's bike. It's just a freeing experience. As soon as you get on the motorcycle and start gliding -- all of your stresses and worries just go away. You're so focused on riding. I absolutely love riding."

The Buffalo Chip is celebrating female motorcyclists with the ninth annual Biker Belles ride.

That gets going Tuesday morning at 9:30 AM, leaving from the Buffalo Chip to the Lodge at Deadwood.