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Saudi Arabia to let women ride bicycles - but subject to very strict conditionsSaudi Arabia flag

Saudi Arabia to let women ride bicycles - but subject to very strict conditions

Riding confined to recreational areas under supervision of male relative and women must wear Islamic dress
by Simon_MacMichael
Tue, Apr 02, 2013 11:12
4

Women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to ride bicycles for the first time in the Middle Eastern state – but they will be subject to severe restrictions while doing so, reports Aljazeera, citing a report in the newspaper Al-Yawm.

An official from Saudi Arabia’s religious police quoted on Al-Yawm said that women would be able to ride bicycles or motorbikes in recreational areas, with the proviso that they are accompanied by a male relative and also wear the abaya, the Islamic garment that covers the body from head to toe.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving, and they will only be permitted to use two-wheelers “for entertainment” and not for transportation.

They have also been told to avoid locations where groups of young men gather “to avoid harassment.''

Saudi Arabia
Simon MacMichael

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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4 comments

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joemmo | 11 years ago
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Good to see Saudi Arabia boldly striding into the 19th century.

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boardmanrider replied to joemmo | 11 years ago
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Indeed. Shame the poor fellow who was recently put to death by crucification recently won't be able to witness this forward thinking

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Carl replied to joemmo | 11 years ago
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joemmo wrote:

Good to see Saudi Arabia boldly striding into the 19th century.

BC.

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Bez | 11 years ago
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"They have also been told to avoid locations where groups of young men gather 'to avoid harassment'."

I doubt they'll be on a UCI podium any time soon.

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