By photographing women who wear the hijab, niqab or jilbāb cycling freely in beautiful outdoor settings, I wanted to start a broader conversation where symbols perceived as opposites - Muslim outfits as a symbol of oppression and the nature and bicycle as symbols of freedom - could be juxtaposed and hopefully have their meaning shifted, if only slightly. I also wanted to visually translate the idea of freedom as an aspect of every human experience.
They are portraits of Muslim women from JoyRiders and Cycle Sisters, two female-centred cycle group based in Walthamstow, East London. Both groups were born out of London hyper-diverse community experiences, but each one has a slightly different focus. While Cycle Sisters main goal is to provide a safe and culturally appropriate space for Muslim women to develop their cycling skills, JoyRiders aims to promote connections between different London communities.
Their main activity consists of weekly social bike rides, which are heavily focused on wellbeing through social interactions and exercise, but they also take pride that many of the women who participate in their bike rides progress to cycling independently.
Above you can see Rukayia, who has a touching story to tell us today about her love for cycling.
“Cycling in a social group with other like-minded women helped me build my social skills, it made me gain confidence in speaking to other people. Especially at the moment, cycling has helped me through tough times, where I lost my father and dear relatives that were very close to my heart. Cycling has helped me to overcome this sadness, grief and is helping me to carry on with my life.
Overall cycling has helped me mentally, physically and emotionally and has taught me that self-care is important. You need to look after yourself no matter the situation.”
Rukayia Moola, @rukaiyamoola is a Cycle Instructor and mum of 4.
In the photo above, you can see Kulsum. Here's what she would like to say about cycling:
"It feels liberating to experience the elements in the vastness of nature. The air brush past as you cycle at speed, the panoramic views, the sounds, the feel of one's heartbeat racing... It all comes together in one moment of pure bliss. Beautiful.“
Did you notice any benefit of doing sports in a social group?
“Yes...like many things, it's lovely to experience and share happiness with others. And cycling produces endorphins that trigger happy hormones which are best shared .
It also gives one the opportunity to meet like-minded people and talk about the little things in life which are the most important, in fact, but get marginalised in our busy cosmopolitan lives.
JoyRiders allows one to physically communicate in the outdoors with ones whole self - and not just a digital platform that is just full of words and emojis these days.”
Kulsum is a teacher and mum of 4.
In the photo above, you can see Sarah Javaid. Here are a couple of her words about cycling:
“I don't think I've felt so happy in all my life as when I'm on my bike! Coming down a hill with the kids singing and laughing, feeling the wind on my face, I feel like my heart is bursting with joy! Cycling helps me to be free from the daily stresses and worries and have a bit of time for me away from all the busyness of life as a mum of 3. I also love the freedom of not having to rely on anyone or wait in traffic - it's an incredible feeling of empowerment getting to know the ins and outs of where you live, choosing your own routes and knowing that just by my own peddle power, I'm transporting my family around where we need to go.”
Have you noticed any benefit of doing sports in a social group?
“I love that cycling can be a solo or social activity and I really enjoy both aspects to it. Cycling with Cycle Sisters is something particularly special - there is a wonderful feeling of sisterhood where everyone looks out for each other and encourages and supports each other. We're all developing our skills together and passing on what we learn to others who are just starting out. Until I started cycling with Cycle Sisters, I didn't feel like I knew that many people in the local community - how that has changed! I can't cycle around for 5 minutes without someone shouting hello or waving at me and they're all people I've met through cycling. It's made me feel part of the community here and it's the highlight of my week, I can't wait for my Cycle Sisters rides!”
Sarah Javaid is a mum of 3, a cycle instructor and the founder of Cycle Sisters charity.
Above on the left, you can see Salma Rahman, and here are she has to say about cycling:
!When I first started cycling... felt so empowered like a bird with wings! It was my space to let go, enjoy, energise and socialise. I found it extra beneficial cycling with other like minded women as It gave me the confidence to cycle more and also tap into other areas of my life that I left aside for a while by sharing ideas and thoughts.
It uplifted my mental state each time I went on a ride with Joyriders and Cycle sister's. The sisterhood that Carolyn and Sarah have set up through cycling is one that I will highly encourage all ladies, from all backgrounds.
Salma Rahma is a mother of 2, a cycle instructor and teacher from Hackney, who is into holistic health and wellbeing.
In the photo above, you can see Carolyn Axtell, who is the founder of the Joy Riders, a cycling group which aims to get more women from diverse backgrounds into cycling. She is also a trustee of Muslim women's cycling charity, Cycle Sisters. She then went to work as a campaign manager for We Are Possible, helping "Londoners to reclaim their streets from domination by cars, changing the narrative around the way our streets are used and who they are for".
Here's what she has to say about cycling:
"I love the sensation of movement, being able to cover so much ground, and exploring new routes and places. I find it very liberating and it gives me a great sense of freedom. I particularly love standing up on my pedals and sailing down hills, singing - it's FUN, like being a child again, and I am a great believer in adults needing more fun in their lives!
Getting around using my own physical effort without reliance on anyone else is something I find very empowering, and building up my knowledge of new routes (often through getting lost!) is also very empowering."
JoyRides is not only about sport but about having fun and bringing women together.
Carolyn Axtell is a mum of 3 and a charity worker.
In the middle photo above, you can see Khadijah. Here's what she wants to say about cylcing:
"I feel completely liberated when I'm on my bike. By that, I do not mean that I normally feel oppressed! I mean that when I get on my bike and I feel the wind across my face and I breathe in the fresh air of the green spaces in my local area, I feel like I can forget all my worries and responsibilities. All that is replaced by a feeling, albeit temporary, of just being in the moment. And despite that feeling of complete freedom being temporary, the journey which carries that feeling is one in which I literally feel the stresses and strains of everyday life just falling off my shoulders and to the ground with every pedal rotation, all to be left behind me as I cycle away to a better place both mentally and physically.”
Khadijah Zaidi @cycleandjam is a Cycle Sister instructor and mum of 3.
Finally you'll see below Joyce Descombes. Here's what she has to say about cycling:
Cycling is freedom, feeling the cold air on your face as if you are in your own world. (...) You learn a new route, exploring a place you won't do alone. (...) I used to cycle beforehand on my own but when I joined Cycles Sisters and Joy Riders, it built my confidence and I wanted to do it more than before. (...) There is a great benefit with cycling, you are taking great care of your body without thinking that you are exercising. I've got great legs for cycling. It heals your mind as it's a sense of freedom.
I'm available for commissions and collaborations. Just drop me a line, I'd love to hear from you!