Small steps toward equality: Saudi Women Now Allowed Ride Bikes (w/male accompaniment)

[Bucky]

Congratulations, ladies! Just don't get your abayas caught in the spokes!!

==> http://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/women-may-now-ride-bikes-saudi-arabia.php

Women May Now Ride Bikes In Saudi Arabia, But Only In Parks And With Male Relatives

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) — A Saudi newspaper says the kingdom’s religious police are now allowing women to ride motorbikes and bicycles but only in restricted, recreational areas.

The Al-Yawm daily on Monday cited an unnamed official from the powerful religious police as saying women can ride bikes in parks and recreational areas but they have to be accompanied by a male relative and dressed in the full Islamic head-to-toe abaya.

{snip}

The official says women may not use the bikes for transportation but “only for entertainment” and that they should shun places where young men gather “to avoid harassment.”

Rock on, Saudi sisters!! Before you know it, you'll be trading in your Burkas for those far more liberating Niqabs! Why, the 13th century is practically just around the corner. (I'm just kidding--no society was this restrictive on the liberties of women in the 13th century. My apologies to all you 13th centuryites.)