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An increasing number of women in Iran are getting on their bicyclesto protestagainst afatwabanning them fromcycling in public.

HardlineIranian leaders believe women on bikes are a threat to morality and arestrictly forbidden as a means of public transport.

Women must also be completely veiled, even in the height of summer, when playing sport or driving.

But a counter-movement, propelled by social media, has emerged over the last year. In a country of record-high air pollution and traffic congestion, more and more women are cycling.

Following a popular measure called car-free Tuesdays that started in the city of Arak two years ago, women spotted an opportunity to cyclein the name of the environment.

But the movement was cut short when a group of women cyclists were arrested in Marivan in Western Iran. They were released the same day after they signed documents, pledging not to cycle again despite no law against it.

There were then a flurry of press declaring women could cycle as long as they pertained to religious customs and the dress code.

But in September, Irans supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, issued a fatwa that women were not allowed to cycle in public.

Women subsequentlyposted pictures of themselves on bikes on social media with the hashtag #IranianWomenLoveCycling.

A mother and daughter filmed themselves cycling on the island of Kish, alongside postsexplaininghow they immediately rented two bicycles after the fatwa.

Cycling is part of our lives. We were here when we heard Khameneis fatwa banning women from cycling, they said.

Another woman posted a video and said she was proud to resist the oppression.

As I believe those who oppress us are wrong, she wrote. Biking for women is not a taboo. And no one can tell me it is.

Despite the fatwa, an increasing number of women cycle through the hilly and traffic-clogged city of Tehran.

Agroup of cyclists, including women, alsogather outside the TehranAzadistadium on Friday mornings to race onthe cycling track,The Guardianreported.

Nanaz, a 30-year-old lawyer, told the paper that she cycles up to 80 km per day.

"As long as [the moderate Hassan] Rouhani is our president, we will be able to do it. My great ambition is to take part in the Olympics," she said.

The Iranian Cycling Federation does not have even 100 members, yet male Iranian cyclists have won competitions across Asia.

Cycling used to be more common.

During the first half of the 20th century, when cars were an expensive import, many residents used their bikes. In 2017, Tehran'snew bike-sharing system has reportedly had little uptake and the 2016 plan for 120 bike stations around the cityhas yet to beimplemented.

Even in the bike-friendly city of Isfahan, with cycle paths, a rental bike scheme and encouragement fromauthorities, women are still not allowed to use them.

It is unclear how longthe fatwa will continue, butFariba, a 36-year-old accountant, told The Guardian she was excited to cycle.

"And yes, I cycle through Tehran, no problem. I am not afraid of the police."

Continued here:
Iranian women get on their bikes to defy cycling fatwa - The Independent