Shell/KG, I think that attitude is thanks to those women who can't function without a man, and when they have one can't seem to do anything for themselves anymore, I'm sure you know the type. No way am I knocking having a man but ffs have some self respect as well.
I used to tow a caravan until a couple of years ago (when I swapped it for the bike) and you wouldn't believe how amazed people could be at a woman towing. I pointed out several times that I do use a car, I don't pull it by hand.
As for female bikers increasing in numbers, are you sure it's not just that they've become more socially accepted, and the advent of mobile phones enabling us to dare to travel alone more.
Also, in my case I have massive knockers so you can't really mistake me for a man, but in the main, if you see a biker riding it's not easy to tell what sex they are, it's only when the lid comes off that it's obvious.
If we are on the increase though, great stuff! We might get a better range of small enough bikes before too long