The bicycle, a symbol of freedom for women
In Tao Bike we want to celebrate as well the International Women’s Day by remembering how the bike has been throughout history a symbol of freedom for them.
It was at the end of the XiX centyry in England, when the use of the bike by women became more and more popular, this meant great changes in their daily routines of life:
- Independence: by this time when women couldn’t vote, or have their own goods and her role was the selfless housewife and mother, some women start using the bike as a transport and develop her own independence as they would move with no need for a man. This is a perfect way of claim for the same rights as men.
- Equality: Each time a woman started to work outside their home and thanks to the bike, her mobility was fasterbut also they could enjoy their free time as well, as the bike was perfect for a ride to the countryside.
- Fashion: The clothes women used to wear also started to change thanks to the use of the bike, the old underskirts and corsets left their place to the bloomer pants much more comfortable and suitable for the riding.
Sadly, nowadays exist some examples in Afghanistan, where women suffer a lot of prohibitions in almost each daily routine, from burka, the impossibility of going to school or working outside their home, abuses… even with this scene, there are a group of 10 brave women who have founded a cycle club, they suffer everyday abuses and strong language from men, but the keep on riding their bikes as “For us, the bike is a symbol of freedom” explains Marjan Sidiqqi in Yahoo News.
From the XIX century, in Europe, life has changed a lot for women, we are each time closer to equality, but they still remain some problems that we hope we can solve soon, and over all we join this outcry #NIUNAMÁS, as a way of total rejection to sexist violence!!!
