Women motorcyclists take to the streets of Karachi

More than 80 women participated in the First Women Bike Riders Rally

KARACHI: More than 80 women from different areas of Karachi participated in the First Women Bike Riders Rally organised by Pink Riders on Sunday.

The women began their drive from Nagan Chowrangi, making their way through KDA Chowrangi, Karimabad, Sohrab Goth, Nipa Chowrangi, Hassan Square, Karsaz, Sharae Faisal, Teen Talwar, Do Talwar, Old Clifton, Clifton Beach and to Sea View. The rally made stops along the way. In total, they covered 60 kilometres in their journey.



Farzana, who is a resident of Liaquatabad, said that the Pink Riders institute was playing an important role in the grooming of women. "The institute is not only teaching motorcycle riding to the women but also helping them build their confidence.

Alia, who is a resident of Gulshan-e-Iqbal, said that she was a university student and has been riding motorcycle for the last six months. Her ability to ride a motorcycle is helping her save money which would otherwise be spent on her commute from her home to university and back.

A housewife, Gulnaz, who is a resident of Korangi, said that she was a working woman who earns money to meet the expenses at home. She said that she wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle because she did not want to depend on anyone in managing her responsibilities.
Pink Riders founder Payam Khurram said that she felt the necessity to establish the institute when she saw women facing difficulties and inconvenience during the travel. She said that they have trained around 700 women from different walks of life including housewives, business women and students of schools, colleges and universities.
Khurram said that their mission had been met with success so far. She said that through this rally, they were spreading awareness among women who are unable get out of their homes and travel because of dependency on drivers or public transport. The training also helps inculcate a sense of independence among women, she said adding that the institute was also playing a positive role in building the women's confidence.

The women and girls participating in the rally wore pink jackets along with helmets, elbow and knee pads to ensure safety. Filled with zeal, these women rode the motorcycles on the roads without any hesitation, claiming their public space. Some women faced difficulties during this long rally but they did not give up and reached their destination, Sea View Beach. The message they conveyed was that of gender equality and that they were not less than men in this field.