Who is Ria? Ria is a British Columbia-based welder, custom fabricator, and the creative force behind her signature metal art. For over a decade, she has been a distinct voice in the custom motorcycle scene, specializing in hand-forged sissy bars and "Sailor Jerry" inspired steelwork. Transitioning from a career in social work to the garage, she now focuses on community through craftsmanship, "tough-feminine" design aesthetics, and raising the next generation of riders from her small-town acreage.

The open road has a way of stripping life down to its essentials. For many of us, it starts with a machine and a destination. But for Ria, it started with a half-inch round bar, a welding torch, and a heart.

Welcome to the first installment of Pit Stop, a new corner of American Moto Co. where we pull over to explore the craft, the culture, and the creators who keep the soul of motorcycling alive. Today, we’re talking to Ria, who is single-handedly proving that the toughest parts of a bike can also be the most beautiful.

Twelve years ago, sissy bars weren’t the ubiquitous staples they are today, especially not bars with "funky designs." Ria was at a crossroads, transitioning out of a decade-long career in social work that had left her heart heavy and her creative gears stalled. She stayed late at a shop one day, bent some metal, and made a simple heart.

"It was the first sissy bar I made that actually went on a motorcycle," she recalls. "People saw it at events and started asking, ‘Can you do this? Can you make me one?’ It just snowballed from there."

What started as a side hustle fueled by borrowed tools and weekend hours has evolved into a distinct artistic identity. Her work sits at a unique intersection: it’s "Sailor Jerry" meets heavy metal. Think bold, clean lines, the kind you’d see in a classic tattoo, forged into steel.

In an industry that has historically struggled to design gear that fits the female form, Ria found a niche that was ready for a shake-up. While her clientele is a 50/50 split between men and women, her designs often lean into a "tough-feminine" aesthetic that has been sorely missing from the custom world.

"I’ve made hardcore, scary-looking ones for men," she says with a laugh, "but I’ve also seen men rock heart sissy bars. It’s about the love of the art."

Ria’s process is as organic as the twisties she rides in rural BC. While some builders live by CAD drawings and rigid specs, Ria prefers to stand in the garage and let the metal speak.

"I mostly like to just start and see where it takes me. If they like it, that’s awesome. If they don’t, I’ll change it or start again and sell the one I made, because it’s my art and I’m proud of it."

The reality of being an independent creator isn't always glamorous. Between the sparks and the powder coating runs (often an hour’s drive away), there is the reality of being a mom to her six-year-old son, Bowie.

Named after the legendary David Bowie, a nod to the family’s deep love for music, the youngster is already a fixture in the shop. He’s got his own electric bike, his own safety glasses, and, of course, a custom lightning-bolt sissy bar.

"Being a mom is the hardest job anyone will ever do," Ria admits. "It was hard getting the shop going and staying consistent on social media while being a new mom. But he’s born with it. He knows the feeling of the bike."

While the motorcycle world is where she found her footing, Ria is beginning to "think outside the triangle." She’s experimenting with home decor, moon-shaped lights, rose chandeliers, and mirrors, bringing that same "badass but cute" energy into the home.

Her dream? A massive metal wedding arbor, textured to look like wood and wrapped in steel roses, or perhaps a collaborative line of sissy bars in Harley-Davidson showrooms.

For now, she’s content staying creative in her small-town acreage, proving that you don’t need a massive factory to make a massive impact. You just need some steel, a vision, and the guts to kick the door down.