In pictures: Girls ride bikes in rally against harassment

Published March 28, 2016
KARACHI: Rally organisers posted witty posters on walls and cars, and encouraged the girls to carry their own while cycling. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Hadi Khatri
KARACHI: Rally organisers posted witty posters on walls and cars, and encouraged the girls to carry their own while cycling. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Hadi Khatri
KARACHI: The ride begins with Critical Mass Karachi members giving a run-down of rules and precautions to keep in mind on the streets. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Hadi Khatri
KARACHI: The ride begins with Critical Mass Karachi members giving a run-down of rules and precautions to keep in mind on the streets. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Hadi Khatri
LAHORE: People of all ages gathered on their bicycles, many of which had been donated by Critical Mass members for the rally. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: People of all ages gathered on their bicycles, many of which had been donated by Critical Mass members for the rally. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: Two girls holding up a poster that reads 'Cycle chalao, Aurton ko haq dilao!' —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: Two girls holding up a poster that reads 'Cycle chalao, Aurton ko haq dilao!' —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: The more experienced cyclers among the group offered to give rides to others!—Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: The more experienced cyclers among the group offered to give rides to others!—Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: For many of the girls, this was their first time riding their cycles on Lahore/Karachi streets. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: For many of the girls, this was their first time riding their cycles on Lahore/Karachi streets. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: The rally was organised with a simple rule: no men would accompany the women during their rides. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: The rally was organised with a simple rule: no men would accompany the women during their rides. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: Half-way down the route, girls take a break from cycling outside Village restaurant. Critical Mass Karachi members were present as allies with water, medical kits and moral support! —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: Half-way down the route, girls take a break from cycling outside Village restaurant. Critical Mass Karachi members were present as allies with water, medical kits and moral support! —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: Many of the posters were witty and unapologetic. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: Many of the posters were witty and unapologetic. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: A few participants brought along their motorbikes. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Arsalan Pirzada
LAHORE: A few participants brought along their motorbikes. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Arsalan Pirzada
LAHORE: Around 50 girls participated in the rally in Lahore, and 25 in Karachi. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Arsalan Pirzada
LAHORE: Around 50 girls participated in the rally in Lahore, and 25 in Karachi. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Arsalan Pirzada
LAHORE: After the rally, Girls at Dhabas and the organisers hosted a dialogue on street harassment and the rally's purpose in both cities. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: After the rally, Girls at Dhabas and the organisers hosted a dialogue on street harassment and the rally's purpose in both cities. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
KARACHI: During the dialogue, participants shared their experiences of riding a cycle with other women, as opposed to a mixed group. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Hadi Khatri
KARACHI: During the dialogue, participants shared their experiences of riding a cycle with other women, as opposed to a mixed group. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Hadi Khatri
KARACHI: Girls at Dhabas plans to hold these rallies regularly in both cities. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas
KARACHI: Girls at Dhabas plans to hold these rallies regularly in both cities. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas
LAHORE: The enthusiastic girls who participated in the rally in Lahore. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed
LAHORE: The enthusiastic girls who participated in the rally in Lahore. —Photo courtesy Girls at Dhabas/Abdul Mueed

LAHORE/KARACHI: Girls in Lahore and Karachi took to the streets on Sunday for a bike rally—they came out in dozens and rode enthusiastically throughout the route, without the company of men.

They carried witty posters saying things like, "Cycle Chalao, Aurton ko Haq Dilao/Patriarchy Dubao" and "I can cycle... can you keep up?"

The rally was organised by Girls at Dhabas and Critical Mass Lahore in protest of the harassment women experience when they venture out in their cities alone. Last week, a Critical Mass Lahore member Aneeqa Ali was riding her cycle to join the rest of the group, when a car of boys intercepted her and hit her bike from behind. Aneeqa took to social media and spoke publicly after the incident, inspiring others to organise a larger scale event for all women, many of whom have experienced similar harassment on their city's roads.

Also read: What is it about a girl cycling that says 'come harass me'?

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