I have been thinking about getting a bike in Cairo as a means of transportation since I was riding it in Port Said (My mother’s hometown) because I hate cars and anything that has a roof!
I made up my mind, and on the first day, in the middle of frost, wind and rain!!
I moved from the Tahrir to Hadaik Al-Quba, passing through the 6th of October bridge, hiding myself in heavy clothes protecting myself from both rain and human eyes
Furthermore, I was too scared of the strong wind, darkness, and crazy cars …
I wondered as I was cycling, am I a coward? Do the brave never fear? Or do they fear, and yet they try despite that fear? My heart relaxed upon holding onto that last thought.
I cycled to the right of the road … While ascending the bridge is painful, descending is frightening. I reduce my speed with a light push on the brakes, grabbing the wheel with my thumb and the rest of my fingers on the brakes preparing for an emergency, which exhausts my fingers.
Pumps and holes appear as an unpleasant surprise. I swing with my bike and fly to land, settling back down on the hard steel seat, which is painful to my “bottom” (apologies for that!)
The clever adventures in the rundown streets continued as I decided to reveal my identity (as a female).
On the Nile Corniche in the morning, I drove my bike without mask. I was really impressed! No one, or car, bothered me or even tried to harass me, I found them moving away from me gently, unlike motorbikes which run so fast and come in my way, scaring me to near death!
I found the girls looking at me happily, while the men looked at me with a mixture of stupidity and wonder. The passage of the bike was a beautiful glimmer of hope in the eyes of those I passed. They are truly wonderful people. They refuse to change, but as soon as someone starts to change something, they look at them with eager eyes and happiness trembling in their eyes, like a prisoner who wishes for freedom but dare not ask for it!
I became certain that people need the boldness and enthusiasm of youth (despite the criticism), I became sure that the survival collar is only in our hands and change is needed now!
In addition to being a surefire solution to traffic jams, it’s a great sport. Bicycling is an important step in changing the course towards a healthy and happy society… The more cyclists we have, the more we can break down the imaginary barriers that hinder our progress and happiness.
Indeed, it is an experience that taught me a lot. Cycling is like a journey of life … A long way we progress slowly, and we have to pay attention only to the place under our feet so we do not fall, with patience to reach our goal! Start riding your bikes and do not be afraid.
The true revolution is a long journey that begins with a sincere desire to change, followed by a courageous act of force that continues despite criticisms and fears …
Rania Refaat