Girls Take to Street Riding Bicycles as Means of Transport in Sudan

By: Al-Hidai Ahmed

The bicycle is one of the most important means of transportation used since ancient times, and it is considered a healthy and environmentally friendly means of transportation. It is a motor vehicle that relies on human movement and works by pushing the pedals stationed in front of the rear wheels by using the legs, and it contains two wheels placed in a frame and steering wheel. Attached to the bike’s outer frame are a seat and two pedals.

The bicycle in Sudan is not a new thing, but women’s cycling has emerged significantly in recent years. The cyclist Ahmed Al-Zubair Okasha, head of the Media Committee of the Sudanese Cycling Club, said that the club includes many girls and women. The club also receives weekly numbers of beginners and amateurs who come to the club for a test drive bike or to learn the basics of the bike. There are also specialized trainers to train girls, and the club has begun to organize competitions involving both sexes, with special days for women.

The 32-year-old engineer, Roaa Mohamed, who is considered one of the most skilled bicyclists in Sudan, said that she started riding a bicycle two years ago to provide purchases and household requirements, and then to provide treatments for her mother who was suffering from cancer, adding that the bicycle was considered an additional source of income as she was working to deliver orders at certain time of period. Engineer Rooa stated that she is now rides a bicycle to move between home, work, and all places, pointing out that the bicycle has contributed greatly to maintaining her physical fitness and saving the money that she used to spend on public transportation, in addition to saving a lot of time.

From a medical point of view, the bicycle has several benefits for the general health of both sexes. This was confirmed by Dr. Laila Yousif, a family medicine specialist, saying that the bicycle improves heart health, brain health, helps in stimulating blood circulation and is beneficial for the muscles and it reduces stress and depression. The bicycle also has several benefits for women in particular.

According to the bicyclist, Roaa Faisal Khalifa, a university student in the second level, who said that she is now not late for her lectures or for returning home due to the lack of public transportation or due to the closure of streets for any reason. She indicated that her experience in riding bicycle, encouraged many of her classmates at the university to take the step and learn to ride a bicycle. She also managed to lose a lot of weight and overcome fear, which requires riding a bicycle. In the public streets, there is a lot of daring, courage, and the ability to control and balance. With regard to social viewpoint in relation to female bicyclists some of them said they had started learning to ride a bike at a young age and then stopped because the society, considers girls riding a bike as an extraneous customs. But they said after the spread of the phenomenon of girls driving all over the world in the recent period and difficulties of providing transportation locally it has become normal and even necessary for a female riding of a bike.

One of the bikers stated that she was subjected to verbal harassment from some motorists, but the vast majority supported the idea and welcomed it very much, especially after discovering the health and social benefits of riding a bike and the absence of any religious and social customs impediments.

The history of bicycle shows that a German inventor, Von Drais credited with the developing the first bicycle. His machine, known as “Swiftwalker” hit the road in 1817. This early bicycle had no pedals, and its frame was a wooden beam. The device had two wooden wheels with iron rims and leather covered tires. The swiftwalker machine and a rider draws a crowd in New York City in 1827.

Officially the Swiftwalker received less enthusiastic welcome as the city law was passed banning the invention from public places and sidewalks. The modern safety bicycle was developed in the late 1800 most frames were made with steel tubing instead of wood or cast iron.

While the steel bicycles were very heavy it was not uncommon for a bicycle of that era to weigh in at 80 pounds (36.28kg). Today bicycles are made out of materials such a titanium, aluminum and carbon fiber and their frames are lighter and stronger than ever before.

Girls Take to Street Riding Bicycles as Means of Transport in Sudan

By: Al-Hidai Ahmed

The bicycle is one of the most important means of transportation used since ancient times, and it is considered a healthy and environmentally friendly means of transportation. It is a motor vehicle that relies on human movement and works by pushing the pedals stationed in front of the rear wheels by using the legs, and it contains two wheels placed in a frame and steering wheel. Attached to the bike’s outer frame are a seat and two pedals.

The bicycle in Sudan is not a new thing, but women’s cycling has emerged significantly in recent years. The cyclist Ahmed Al-Zubair Okasha, head of the Media Committee of the Sudanese Cycling Club, said that the club includes many girls and women. The club also receives weekly numbers of beginners and amateurs who come to the club for a test drive bike or to learn the basics of the bike. There are also specialized trainers to train girls, and the club has begun to organize competitions involving both sexes, with special days for women.

The 32-year-old engineer, Roaa Mohamed, who is considered one of the most skilled bicyclists in Sudan, said that she started riding a bicycle two years ago to provide purchases and household requirements, and then to provide treatments for her mother who was suffering from cancer, adding that the bicycle was considered an additional source of income as she was working to deliver orders at certain time of period. Engineer Rooa stated that she is now rides a bicycle to move between home, work, and all places, pointing out that the bicycle has contributed greatly to maintaining her physical fitness and saving the money that she used to spend on public transportation, in addition to saving a lot of time.

From a medical point of view, the bicycle has several benefits for the general health of both sexes. This was confirmed by Dr. Laila Yousif, a family medicine specialist, saying that the bicycle improves heart health, brain health, helps in stimulating blood circulation and is beneficial for the muscles and it reduces stress and depression. The bicycle also has several benefits for women in particular.

According to the bicyclist, Roaa Faisal Khalifa, a university student in the second level, who said that she is now not late for her lectures or for returning home due to the lack of public transportation or due to the closure of streets for any reason. She indicated that her experience in riding bicycle, encouraged many of her classmates at the university to take the step and learn to ride a bicycle. She also managed to lose a lot of weight and overcome fear, which requires riding a bicycle. In the public streets, there is a lot of daring, courage, and the ability to control and balance. With regard to social viewpoint in relation to female bicyclists some of them said they had started learning to ride a bike at a young age and then stopped because the society, considers girls riding a bike as an extraneous customs. But they said after the spread of the phenomenon of girls driving all over the world in the recent period and difficulties of providing transportation locally it has become normal and even necessary for a female riding of a bike.

One of the bikers stated that she was subjected to verbal harassment from some motorists, but the vast majority supported the idea and welcomed it very much, especially after discovering the health and social benefits of riding a bike and the absence of any religious and social customs impediments.

The history of bicycle shows that a German inventor, Von Drais credited with the developing the first bicycle. His machine, known as “Swiftwalker” hit the road in 1817. This early bicycle had no pedals, and its frame was a wooden beam. The device had two wooden wheels with iron rims and leather covered tires. The swiftwalker machine and a rider draws a crowd in New York City in 1827.

Officially the Swiftwalker received less enthusiastic welcome as the city law was passed banning the invention from public places and sidewalks. The modern safety bicycle was developed in the late 1800 most frames were made with steel tubing instead of wood or cast iron.

While the steel bicycles were very heavy it was not uncommon for a bicycle of that era to weigh in at 80 pounds (36.28kg). Today bicycles are made out of materials such a titanium, aluminum and carbon fiber and their frames are lighter and stronger than ever before.