Letters

There have been many reports about a slump in motorcycle sales across the globe.

One leading brand announced a sales decline of 10.1 percent, its eighth consecutive drop in sales in its home market. International sales were also down 6.7 per cent compared to the same quarter of the previous year.

Everyone is asking why and the blame game has even targetted the US President.

But the slump in sales is not Donald Trump’s fault.

The Baby Boomers all have motorcycles, Generation X is only buying a few, and the Millennials aren’t buying any at all. If a study was done to find out why Millennials don’t ride motorcycles, would this be the 20-strong conclusion?

1. Pants won’t pull up far enough for them to straddle the seat.

2. Can’t get their phone to their ear with a helmet on.

3. Can’t use two hands to eat while driving.

4. Don’t get a trophy and a recognition plaque just for buying one.

5. Don’t have enough muscle to hold the bike up when stopped.

6. Might have a bug hit them in the face and then they would need emergency care.

7. Motorcycles don’t have air conditioning.

8. Can’t afford one because they spent 12 years in college trying to get a degree in Humanities, Social Studies or Gender Studies, for which no jobs are available.

9. Allergic to fresh air.

10. Pyjamas get caught on the exhaust pipes.

11. Might get their hands dirty checking the oil.

12. Handlebars have buttons and levers, and can’t be controlled by touch-screen.

13. Too dangerous to take selfies while riding.

14. Don’t come with training wheels like their bicycles did.

15. Nose ring interferes with the face shield.

16. Would have to use leg muscle to back up.

17. When stopped, a light breeze might blow exhaust in their face.

18. Could rain on them and expose them to non-soft water.

19. Might scare their emotional support dog, then the dog would need therapy.

20. They’ll find this offensive.

Stevie, by email.

With reference to last week’s cover story, we were very pleased with the article. I’m flattered that you devoted so much space to this biopic. I’m hoping that people on the fringes of the St Christopher’s community will be intrigued enough to come to church and meet me, and that relevant Bahrainis will see in me someone with whom they can work toward improving mutual understanding. Just the right tone all through.

Many thanks for the work you have put into helping introduce us to the people of Bahrain!

Father Bill and Edie,

St Christopher’s Cathedral.

I am delighted to announce that Women’s World Banking is hosting its first-ever FinTech Innovation Challenge.  We’re challenging FinTech companies to design a digital financial solution that allows low-income women customers to build their economic security and prosperity.

For example, companies could establish a safety net (such as insurance or savings) to mitigate risks that women and their families face. Or, they could design a solution that enables a woman to expand her economic prosperity by improving access to credit or payment systems.

Over the last several years, FinTechs have justifiably earned the reputation as industry disrupters. But shouldn’t we measure true disruption to the financial services industry by how well FinTechs serve those clients who are currently excluded by the incumbent players?

Instead of wrangling with the banks for a slice of dwindling market share, shouldn’t FinTechs expand the overall market by addressing the needs of the nearly two billion unbanked and underserved women who are routinely ignored?

Thanks to our partnership with the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and KPMG Digital Village, Women’s World Banking is creating an opportunity to be truly disruptive.

The three finalists of the Making Finance Work for Women FinTech Innovation Challenge will receive:

• The opportunity to pitch at Women’s World Banking’s signature Making Finance Work for Women Summit in Singapore on October 23 (all expenses paid). Audience members include investors, donors and financial service providers, from around the globe.

• A free one-year membership in the Women’s World Banking Global Network of Partners.

And the winner will receive:

• Entry as a finalist at the Global FinTech Hackcelerator Demo Day at the Singapore FinTech Festival (powered by KPMG Digital Village) and be fast tracked to receive a $200,000 MAS Proof-of-Concept Grant. The top three of the MAS Global FinTech Hackcelerator will also get an additional $50,000 prize.

• The opportunity to join the 2020 class of Women’s World Banking’s flagship Leadership & Diversity for Innovation Programme (LDIP) presented together with the Wharton School of Business.

Applications are due no later than June 30.  For all other details on how to apply, go to https://www.womensworldbanking.org/making-finance-work-for-women/fintechinnovationchallenge/

Mary Ellen Iskenderian,

President at Women’s World Banking, Georgetown University, Greater New York City Area.