A Different Way To Cycle
Motoring madness.
By Seattle Mag November 25, 2025
This article originally appeared in the November/December 2025 issue of Seattle magazine.
It’s no secret that Pacific Northwesterners love to cycle. You can see them pedaling to and from work, along bike trails, and between neighborhoods almost any time of year. On November 28, Seattle’s Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) is turning a lens on another form of cycling with its latest exhibition, Kickstands Up! 125 Years of Motorcycling in the PNW.
“The first motorcycle arrived in Seattle in 1901 as a pacer for bicycle races,” says MOHAI curator, Mikala Woodward. “By 1902, motorcycles were racing each other, and the community has grown ever since. Early clubs organized endurance rides, built racetracks, and hosted annual events that continue today. Motorcycles have also been used for delivery, police, and military purposes. Today, clubs form around riding styles, brands, or shared identity.”
Presented in partnership with the Pacific Northwest Museum of Motorcycling (and running through April 26, 2026), Kickstands Up! will showcase the often-overlooked history of motorcycling in the region, with displays of rare and vintage bikes, riding gear, photographs, and personal stories from riders, fabricators, and enthusiasts throughout the decades. And it’s not just about men. According to Woodward, women have been involved in the scene from the beginning. “Motorcycles bring people together in communities,” she says, “offer[ing] a unique way to explore our rugged, dramatic landscape.”
Visitors can catch the exhibition daily from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at MOHAI through April 26, 2026, with regular museum admission.
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