Muslim Women Bicycling Group

[shootingstar]

Old news but always good to know there's more women enjoying the same passion as ours. In the U.K.

http://women.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/women/article5238913.ece


In Metro Vancouver there are over (2006 census) 180,000 South Asians, of which some would be Muslim. Our cycling group has yet to figure out what's going on from a cycling perspective. But we are looking into it.

Why even care? Reality is that demographics of population here are changing and support for cycling infrastructure plus neighbourhoods designed to be people-oriented, can only continue if more people cycle in general.

[Librarygirl]

This is such a fantastic story! I love how cycling can empower women and give them confidence :) Especially brave, learning to ride as an adult, a woman, in London, AND as a Muslim facing disapproval not only from 'outsiders', but also from those within her community. Grrr...the comment about women 'stimulating themselves' by getting a man instead of a bike! How stupid does that guy sound!

[crazycanuck]

I know of one city council in Perth that teaches/taught many immigrant women (muslim included-manily from Afghanistan & Iran) to ride a bike. It was a huge challenge for the lady organizer but they just took tape to the chadors etc & worked well. Sounded like fun!

[Trek420]

On my way home on the train one day I was asked about biking to work and how one could do that with a skirt. The woman asking me said she has to wear a skirt, the implication was it was for religious reasons. I don't know if she is Muslim or even Orthodox Jewish.

She said she has a bike but can't ride it with a long skirt. I told her of some options including ways to equip the bike she already has with a chain guard or a new bike with one on, recommended a couple of local female friendly, newbie rider helpful shops .... and of course TE.

I hope she's riding, maybe lurking here :cool: :)

[Chicken Little]

Grrr...the comment about women 'stimulating themselves' by getting a man instead of a bike!

What a joke. They obviously have not spent much time on the seat that came stock with my road bike....

[lph]

Maybe biking would become more acceptable among the ultra-traditionalist brigade if they knew how uncomfortable and numbing bad saddles are... ;) I can imagine it being quite the accepted sport!

And come winter, we all look like we're wearing face veils anyway. :p

[chicagogal]

I was on the last leg of a bike ride earlier this past summer on a busy road near my house. I see in the distance, on the road ahead of me, what looks like a black blob, but is clearly a figure of some sort. As I approach, I come along side a woman wearing a full burqa, with only eyes showing, rollerblading at quite a clip! I was so impressed! She followed her conservative religious teachings about appropriate wardrobe, but didn't let it deter her from her sport/exercise/transportation! (not quite sure how she could tolerate the heat in that outfit . . .) I wanted to shout out, "you go girl!" but also wanted to warn her about being safe rollerblading in the road - to watch out for cars who aren't expecting rollerbladers on a busy street - so I just kept my mouth shut and carefully passed her.

[shootingstar]

Yes, any burqua attired woman doing exercise has got to be respected for her stamina.

Woman on a bike is seen a symbol as someone who cannot be "controlled", that she is independent. Cycling is still an act of liberation for a woman.

http://shannongalpin.wordpress.com/2009/10/06/the-muslim-bike-conundrum/

But that's in Afghanistan.

All the more reason to enjoy riding our bikes,,...when there are probably a number of women somewhere in the world who envy our freedom of mobility.

[malkin]

Maybe biking would become more acceptable among the ultra-traditionalist brigade if they knew how uncomfortable and numbing bad saddles are... ;) I can imagine it being quite the accepted sport!




Once they get wind of this, it will likely become required.