the dykes on bikes have been criticized for using the term "dyke" in their name. when registering their name as a trademark in the united states, the group faced a battle to demonstrate that the word "dyke", and related terms such as terms "diesel-dyke," "bull-dyke," and "bull-dagger," have in fact been re-appropriated as self-referential terms of endearment and empowerment distinct from "lesbian" and indeed awards and events utilizing those names are now used by the lgbt community. in keeping with the tradition of motorcyclists' rejection of the norms of middle-class, middle-america, the dykes on bikes teach, by example, that women can be masculine and challenge the dominant sexual and cultural expectations of what a woman is and what she can do and achieve.