“You see very few ladies out on a bike wearing a hijab, we think there should be more.”
Omayma and Umme-Habiba chose to join the ladies ‘cycling skills’ group in Harehills because their friend Sidra had encouraged them to do so. Together they form the ‘tremendous trio’ taking part in the sessions and tackling all things cycle-related as they go, from balance, to steering, pedalling and manoeuvring around a course of cones on the sports hall floor. They support and encourage one another and relish in the learning process, building upon their skills and abilities each week, even enjoying a bit of healthy ‘competitive spirit’!
Omayma
The feeling of support you get from the other ladies in the group is truly quite special, we know if only one of us can make it one week, that they’ll be looked after. I think this sense of support plays a huge part in why the group works so well for us and continues to grow. The support network is something I really appreciate and treasure.
Even after my very first session I was pedalling. I couldn’t believe it, so I went home and practised with my kids on our street. I got them to take a video of me cycling – I actually felt very confident, our kids cycle out there together most days and it was so nice to feel like I could be part of it with the family, maybe even go to the park one day!
At our local charity shop, I saw this bike for sale, I spoke to my husband and felt now that I was learning to ride and already confident, I really wanted to have a bike of my own. It was a reasonable price and in good condition so we went for it.
Umme-Habiba
My family are in Pakistan and a lot of ladies are like me, they have no other family here in the UK. I am a very proud Pakistani woman and the group of ladies have an understanding of what it might be like without family around – we listen and support each other. It’s very nice to have that.
It can be a challenge for women in our culture to cycle if they do not know who is teaching the class, if it is a man or woman can make a difference to how comfortable you may feel. Because I wear a Hijab, I felt safer being taught by a woman inside the safety of the building too. I feel free to enjoy what I’m doing when I’m inside the centre with the other ladies.
“My family are in Pakistan and a lot of ladies are like me, they have no other family here in the UK. I am a very proud Pakistani woman and the group of ladies have an understanding of what it might be like without family around – we listen and support each other. It’s very nice to have that.“
Sidra
We are all so grateful and pleased that coming to this group has given us these opportunities to learn something new for ourselves. Other ladies should definitely try it, cycling might also become your passion!
We all would agree that anyone wanting to try out cycling and join a group like this should definitely do it. The bikes and helmets are all provided, and you learn which tools are used to adjust the seats to make them comfortable, making sure they are the correct height for you is important, it feels good to know these things and now we know what feels right and we have the confidence to ro get it right ourselves.
Before this group, there was no option for us to learn how to cycle in a place where we could feel comfortable just having a go. We are all so grateful and pleased that coming to this group has given us these opportunities to learn something new for ourselves. Other ladies should definitely try it, cycling might also become your passion!
