MEDİNE MAMEDOĞLU

Mêrdin – The Derik Bike and Outdoor Sports Club, started by women in the Derik district of Mardin province, provides cycling training for women of all ages to break gender stereotypes. Until now, more than 150 women have learned how to ride by participating in the training. The members of the club organize activities to teach women how to ride bikes and show them the historical and natural beauties of the district.

150 women have participated in the training

“We started the club because many women wanted to learn how to ride bikes,” the club president Sevdet Baki said, “We had only a bicycle and taught dozens of women how to ride by using it for months. Until now, more than 150 women have learned how to ride bikes. We also organize tours for women to show them the historical and natural beauties of the district.”

“We will continue to realize women's dream”

Stating that cycling is the dream of many women living in Derik, Sevdet Baki said, “I was born and grew up here. I couldn’t learn how to cycle when I was a child. I knew very well that many women in Derik couldn’t cycle and cycling was their childhood dream. We met many women saying they wanted to learn how to ride bikes. We have realized the dream of 80 percent of women in the district and we will continue to realize their dream.”

They change their society

Kübra Söylemez, one of the club members, told us that they started the club with the participation of a few women, “But the number of the members increased in a short time. The club has created a space for women to transfer their energies. Women are in solidarity with each other. Some women push their limits and come here to make cycling more effective, visible, and permanent. Still, we face social pressure. But women have been breaking gender stereotypes and changing society. Before, women couldn’t ride bikes in the district, but now they do and attend biking activities.”

Old women want to learn how to ride bikes

Stating that the people living in the district have supported their activities, Kübra Söylemez said that their tours contribute to promoting the natural and historical beauties in the district. “Children, young people, and women of all ages have participated in our cycling training. Especially, old women want to learn how to ride bikes. They feel very happy when they participate in our cycling training. They were not allowed to learn how to ride a bike when they were children due to the understanding saying cycling was a shame for girls. Now, they enjoy cycling. They make more effort so that the next generations can learn how to ride bikes.”