ABU DHABI // Wearing an abaya is no excuse not to go for a bike ride, Emirati women have said.
The National spoke to several female cyclists on the Corniche who were wearing traditional attire. They said it was not dangerous as long as one took precautions against getting the clothing caught in the bike's chains.
Salama, 19, an Emirati, said: “I wrap the abaya around my waist and tie it, like we do with sweaters. This way it covers my legs a bit and stays away from the chains.
“But this also means it becomes tight and it makes it harder for me to cycle. I still enjoy it.”
She said there should be more women-only events for cyclists in the capital, like the GoYas ladies night at Yas Marina Circuit. There, she does not need to wear an abaya.
“If the Corniche had a ladies-only partition, I would enjoy it even more. That way, I can feel free to ride,” she said.
Salama said she also cycled around her neighbourhood in Khalifa City at night with an abaya on.
“It’s better for me. I can enjoy my ride with my brothers and not have to worry about neighbours bothering me with looks. The abaya keeps me protected,” she said.
A H, 21, another Emirati, said she only chose to cycle on the Corniche while wearing her abaya.
“I come from a conservative family, as are most families in the UAE. I have to be decent and it works for me,” she said.
“At first, it was hard, but I love cycling especially now with the cool weather. The abaya holds me back sometimes, I can’t go as fast as I would like, but I can still do it.”
She said it was more challenging while riding with an abaya.
She had to wear loose trousers to be more decent, but said those too could sometimes get caught in the chains.
A H said she would prefer not to wear an abaya while cycling, but felt obliged to do so in public.
“If I was in my own house, maybe even my neighbourhood, I would be comfortable in any loose and covered clothing, not necessarily an abaya, but there are many people in the Corniche and I just wouldn’t be OK with it,” she said.
aalkhoori@thenational.ae
