‘Her bike was like a member of her family, she had special seat made for her son’

A resident of Bandra (East), Hogale joined The Bikerni three years ago. The group was founded in 2011 and has a chapter in each major city. The club’s website mentions that its mission is to “create an equal platform for women motorcyclists and to empower women all over India through motorcycles.” The group finds mention in the Limca Book of Records for an all-woman motorcycle expedition it undertook from Delhi to Ladakh in 2013.

In a short statement on Monday, the group’s founder Urvashi Patole praised Hogale’s love for motorcycling. “Her social media profile is filled with pictures of her trips and bike rallies she participated in for gender equality and for the love of motorcycling,” Patole said.

28-year-old Mayuree Hajarnis recalled how Hogale rode all the way from Bandra (East) to Thane the day her Royal Enfield Thunderbird bike was delivered. “She had a presence in my life apart from biking. She was like a soul sister,” she said.

Hogale, she added ensured she was around for her birthdays, her engagement, wedding and the birth of her baby five months ago. “She made every effort to make all events of my life special. Why would any of my biker friends do that?” she says.

Hogale’s bike ‘Hirkani’, Hajarnis said, was a member of her family. “She had done up her bike beautifully. She made a special seat for her son Archit to sit behind her. Hirkani was major part of her life,” she added.

Paying tribute to her friend, Patole added that Hogale had inspired many girls to start riding. “The Bikerni deeply regrets this accident and expresses its condolences to the family of Jagruti Hogale. We have lost a gem and one of the best women riders in India for whom safe riding was always the priority. May her soul rest in peace,” she said. The Palghar police have arrested the truck driver Vinodkumar Yadav, and booked him for rash driving and causing death due to negligence.

Shinde: Will inquire into all incidents

The accident that killed Jagruti Hogale took place near Vaiti village on Jawahar-Dahanu highway, 100km from Mumbai. The road is said to be maintained by the state Public Works Department (PWD). State PWD Minister (public undertakings), Eknath Shinde, on Monday said: “All roads are not under PWD and we will initiate an inquiry into the matter, taking note of all incidents.”

PWD minister Chandrakant Patil, however, said: “The death of bike rider Jagruti Hogale was not due to potholes.” Speaking about potholes that riddle the city, Yuva Sena leader Aditya Thackeray said: “BMC has already been briefed about the potholes issue. Mumbai Mayor Vishwanath Mahadeshwar is himself looking into it. We are working on it and there will be action on potholes soon.”