Saudi Gazette report

Jeddah — This is an unusual sight in Jeddah: Women in hijab riding bicycles on the popular seafront road.

They are members of “Bicicleta," the first team of women cyclists in Saudi Arabia founded by Ndima Abul-Enein a year and a half ago in Jeddah.

Ndima told Al-Arabiya that she has loved bicycles since her childhood and this is what prompted her to think about forming the team.

“Women can keep their hijab and wear modest clothes while practicing sport,” she said.

Ndima’s team of cyclists consists of more than 30 women who cycle around the Corniche wearing long pants and loose shirts with helmets carefully placed over their headscarves.

During this short period, Ndima created a women’s community of cyclists, as seen in the photos published by members of the team on their social networking sites.

In her interview she said the team always receives new members. They receive training to teach them cycling and safety requirements such as putting on helmets, gloves and shoes, as well as traffic regulations that everyone must follow for public safety.

The team has not yet had the opportunity to participate in any competitions, whether local or regional, but Ndima said that they will consider it in their future plans, adding that the sport of cycling needs attention.

She said that they all take lightheartedly any awkward moment that they might face since they have decided to practice sport.

Ndima said she is grateful for the support that she has received from her parents who backed her and her team from the beginning.