It has become a common sight on Lahore Mall Road to witness girls and women riding motorcycles alone or with their family members on the pillion seat. Lahore traffic police is encouraging them too with free bike riding training. The trend is also getting caught on in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. You can see girls riding scooty or motor bike in the sectors like F, I, and G.Many girls commute via bikes to their work in blue areas and other commercial sectors of the capital. Those who don’t know it’s kind of virtual taboo in Pakistan for girls to ride a bike. When even they sit on the back seat, they have to put both legs on one side because it’s not considered appropriate and noble to sit otherwise on the bike.
You may laugh at it, but it’s very serious taboo in Pakistan. Bikes are so cheap, quick and hassle free for the girls and boys alike when it comes to go out. Mainly women have to rely on their men for grocery, banks, hospitals, visiting relatives but now they can do it by themselves. Society should support them too. People must understand that women are fulfilling a number of responsibilities so they should be given space of easy and affordable mobility. Islamabad police has also shown their willingness to train the ladies in bike riding free of cost. Karachi girls should also follow the example and then it should be adopted country wide.