Saudi Arabia to let women ride bicycles - but subject to very strict conditions

Women in Saudi Arabia will be allowed to ride bicycles for the first time in the Middle Eastern state – but they will be subject to severe restrictions while doing so, reports Aljazeera, citing a report in the newspaper Al-Yawm.

An official from Saudi Arabia’s religious police quoted on Al-Yawm said that women would be able to ride bicycles or motorbikes in recreational areas, with the proviso that they are accompanied by a male relative and also wear the abaya, the Islamic garment that covers the body from head to toe.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving, and they will only be permitted to use two-wheelers “for entertainment” and not for transportation.

They have also been told to avoid locations where groups of young men gather “to avoid harassment.''