MOHAI exhibit celebrates the rebellious history of Seattle's motorcycle culture

Western Washington is home to sweeping, scenic drives and twisting mountain roads. It’s a motorcyclist's wonderland. A new exhibit at the Museum of History and Industry in Seattle’s South Lake Union neighborhood explores the rich history of freedom, rebellion, and risk from the saddle of a moto.

Tammy Sessions first started racing motorbikes when she was just 12 years old.

The Bellevue native said when she started showing up to races, the older guys there would ask, “‘What are you doing here? You're not allowed in the pits, let alone on the race track.’”

Her father supported Sessions’ new, risky passion. Through the 1970s, he would buy his daughter every new motorbike that came into Seattle, making sure she had the best machines.

“My dad hired a mechanic to take care of me, but then I found out later it was to watch after me, because I'm 18 and kind of naive,” she told KUOW. “Our family is so close because of motorcycles.”

Many races — and many trophies later — Sessions earned the title "Queen of the Desert" as one of the first female pro flat track racers in the American Motorcyclist Association.

Her mom made her wear pink leathers on the racetrack. Not because she was a girl, Sessions said, but because the bright color made it easier to spot her from the stands.

Now, that pink body suit is on display at MOHAI as part of a new exhibit celebrating the history of motorcycle culture in the Pacific Northwest.

“I can almost fit back into them,” Sessions said looking at her old gear on a mannequin, “but the zipper has completely disintegrated because they're 52 years old.”

"Kickstands Up!" tells Sessions’ story as well as the role motorcycles have played in law enforcement, the military, entertainment, and racing.

The exhibit starts with the first bikes in Seattle in 1901 and extends to modern, all-electric motorcycles on the market today.

Viewers can admire rows of chrome-covered motos like two from the Seattle Cossacks, the stunt and drill team. There’s the giant, pink Harley owned by Beverly Thompson, a founder of Eastside Harley-Davidson in Bellevue.

Much of the exhibit shares how motorcycle culture mixes with politics and activism as the machines are symbols of independence and freedom.

“Motorcycle riding has always kind of been an act of rebellion,” said Wen Cruz, president of the Dykes on Bikes motorcycle club Seattle chapter, “and in a lot of ways being queer is rebellion just innately”

Dykes on Bikes started in San Francisco in 1976. The Seattle chapter formed in 2023.

The group, “comes together to build our own community and it's incredibly inclusive,” Cruz said. Members ride at Pride parades and have shown up to help escort large political demonstrations.

“We’re really focused on community service, community support, activism, community building and uplifting and supporting our community as well, especially right now with the political environment,” they said.

"Kickstands Up! 125 Years of Motorcycling in the PNW" runs through April 26 at MOHAI.

There are two events coming up related to the exhibit. "Day of Champions" on Saturday, Dec. 13 is a meet-and-greet with local riding legends.

On Tuesday, Jan. 13, MOHAI will host "Breaking Barriers: Women in Motorcycling," an event focused on Northwest women who’ve influenced the world of motos.

Sessions said she may not be racing anymore but she is teaching younger women to hop on a freedom machine. Earlier this year she hosted a women-only motorcycle event in Washougal that drew more than 300 riders.

“I love teaching women how to ride a motorcycle, because it empowers them and their confidence," Sessions said. "I've had a fabulous, exciting life racing motorcycles.”