Cycling, also called cycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, exercise or sport, (Oxford English Dictionary, 1989). People engaged in cycling are referred to as “cyclists”, “bicyclists”, or “bikers”. The bicycle, bike or cycle is a human-powered vehicle that is driven by foot pedals. It has a basic frame with two wheels attached to it, one after the other.

In 1868, Britain witnessed the production of the first bicycles and it quickly developed into a profitable industry fuelled by a rapidly growing market. Continuous technological advances, particularly the introduction of Dunlop’s pneumatic tyres in 1888, and a growing market in cheaper second-hand bicycles (Flanders, 2007: p. 454; Mackintosh & Norcliffe, 2007: p. 157; Reid, 2015: p. 247) helped transform the bicycle from a costly fashionable sports item to a more universal utilitarian means of transport and recreation—one of the technological marvels of the Victorian era (Rubinstein, 1977: p. 48).

Cycling as recreation became organized shortly after racing did. Since its early days, cycling brought the sexes together in an unchaperoned way, particularly after the 1880s when cycling became more accessible owing to the invention of the Rover Safety bicycle. Public cries of alarm at the prospect of moral chaos arose from this and from the evolution of women’s cycling attire, which grew progressively less enveloping and restrictive (Encyclopædia Britannica, 2020).

The practice of cycling had a significant impact on the lives of women in many topics (Willard, 1895; Stanton, 1902). The greatest impact the bicycle had on the role of women occurred in the 1890s during the bicycle craze that swept American and European society (Rubinstein, 1977). During this time, the primary achievement the bicycle gained for the women’s movement is that it gave women a greater amount of social mobility (Harmond, 1971; Hallenbeck, 2010). The feminist Annie Londonderry accomplished her around-the-globe bicycle trip as the first woman in this time, ( Blickenstaff, 2016;

Before the 1890s, using of bicycles as a mean of transport was not very popular. It was very difficult and dangerous to drive the standard bicycle or the high wheeler. Men, at that time, used to drive the ordinary bicycles, while women were only allowed to use specific types of bicycles such as the two-seater sociable, the tandem, and the tricycle. Beginning in the late 1860s companionate riding became a popular social activity for men and women. However, up until the mid 1880s, women were basically dependent upon men in order to participate in cycling. The presence of a man in control of the sociable assumed that the man could keep the woman safe from the dangers of riding a bike alone, thereby assuming the authority of man. So, while companionate riding was revolutionary in the development in sociability between men and women, it kept women in an inferior position to men by assuming that the man had the power over the bicycle in that situation, (Harmond, 1971; Christie-Robin et al., 2012).

Between 1885 and 1895, inventors and engineers managed to increase the safety of bicycles and introduced what was then called safety bicycle, (Harmond, 1971). At that time, special types of safe bicycles were developed for women in a way that would accommodate women’s clothes. However, women fashion at that time made cycling difficult to practice; as women at that time used to wear long skirts and tight-fitted bodices that were not suitable to practice cycling. Therefore, fashion designer at that time offered special women outfits that would accommodate the bicycle including divided skirts, skirts that shortened with drawstrings, skirts that converted to bloomers, skirt-securing devices that kept the fabric close to the ankle, and a bicycle corset consisting of a sturdy, straight under-bodice with extra back support and a looser fit, (Christie-Robin et al., 2012). However, these types of clothes were met with mixed approval. Elizabeth Cady Stanton in her notes on whether or not women should ride a bicycle stated, “To sum up, I would say, let women ride … If some prefer the [bulk] skirts flying in the wind exhausted in the wheels let them run the risk of their folly; If others prefer bloomers let them enjoy their choice if others prefer knickerbockers, leave them in peace” (Stanton, 1902).

Many writers claimed at that time that wearing bicycle costumes made it easier for women to ride a bicycle, (Brown, 1895). Men were the main opponents of women wearing bicycle clothing and in particular, bloomers. They considered these suits and in particular bloomers as ugly or shameful. In particular, they saw these bicycle costumes as a physical representation of women stealing men’s characteristics, thereby blurring the lines between femininity and masculinity and what is socially acceptable for each group. What this fear reveals is a realistic notion that women were taking on a greater role of independence of which had previously been characterized as masculine, (Harmond, 1971; Christie-Robin et al., 2012).

The above lines have presented an overview of the evolution and status of women’s cycling in the Western culture. However, the situation in the Arab and Muslim world is different, as there are many traditional and religious teachings that govern women’s social practices such as cycling.

In terms of religion, Muslim women are instructed to wear a hijab; a veil worn by most Muslim women in the presence of any male outside of their immediate family, which usually covers the head and chest, and sometimes the face. The term hijab can refer to any head, face, or body covering worn by Muslim women that conforms to Islamic standards of modesty. The Qur’an instructs Muslim women to dress modestly, (Martin et al., 2003) and these guidelines can also be found in texts of hadith and fiqh developed after the revelation of the Qur’an and are derived from Qur’an verses (ayahs) referencing hijab, (Encyclopedia of Islam and the Muslim World, 2003). In countries where traditional Islamic beliefs prevail, women must wear the hijab in public and when they participate in physical activities (Pfister, 2010). However, “modest” dress does not necessarily restrict the activity range. Many Muslim women, however, prefer to participate in physical activities in women-only facilities not least because this allows them to wear sports clothes and be untroubled by the men.

In some Muslim countries, women generally wear traditional abaya. The abaya, sometimes also called an aba, is a simple, loose over-garment, essentially a robe-like dress. Traditional abaya is mostly black and may be either a large square of fabric draped from the shoulders or head or a long kaftan. The abaya covers the whole body except the head, feet, and hands. In this paper, the researcher proposes the invention of a special sportswear that enable woman to practice cycling while observing government regulations, social norms and religious teachings.

In Saudi Arabia, cycling is becoming increasingly popular among women, although it is practiced in a controlled way that protects women from potential street abuse or accidents. The Kingdom has encouraged sports of all kinds in order for the community to excel in sports at the local and international levels. The Saudi women's community has a tendency towards achieving the goals of the vision which aims to raise the percentage of sports practitioners in the society. The Vision 2030 also aims to ensure a balanced life for individuals, families and the broad society through several goals, including through the promotion of sporting activities in the community, and achieving excellence in several sports at the regional and global level.

Today, life for women in Saudi Arabia is changing quickly. They are now experiencing new liberties, such as riding a bicycle, although with special conservative conditions that confine practice of cycling to dedicated places, including parks and other open places, and stipulates that women be always accompanied by one of her male relatives (mahram: a woman’s unmarriageable person) and away from the public disturbances.

In 2018, a research by the General Sports Authority (GSA) showed that there was a significant increase in the number of Saudis embracing sports and exercise and trying to get healthy. Cycling in particular is growing in Saudi Arabia, with various races and cycling groups popping up in major cities across the Kingdom. According to Saudi Gazette, official figures showing that 1.1% of the population cycle on a weekly basis, 32% of those cyclers are women (Saudigazette, 2020). Most recently, A Saudi Arabia’s first female cycling championship was held and saw ten cyclists from throughout the Kingdom took part in the time-challenge competition held under the supervision of the Saudi Cycling Federation (Arab News, 2020).

More than 1000 women participated in the Sport for All cycling race in Jeddah, Riyadh, Khobar Photo credit: http://www.almowaten.net/.

Women in Saudi Arabia are rapidly gaining more social liberties under a reform agenda spearheaded by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz. The kingdom has seen an expansion in women’s rights including a decision to allow women to attend mixed public sporting events and the right to drive. The Kingdom encourages women to practice several sports without compromising Islamic teaching or social norms. In 2013, the concerned authorities in Saudi Arabia decreed women are allowed to ride bicycles in recreational areas on condition they dress modestly and are accompanied by a male guardian at all times, (BBC, 2018). This new era of more social liberties to women should encourages designers and sportswear manufacturers to look for ways to design cycling and sportswear attires that enhance women participation in sports without compromising the Islamic teachings; Saudi social norms and governments’ laws.

In light of this, the researcher has investigated the trends of women cycling activities in Saudi Arabia in addition to her preferences when it comes to cycling clothes. Knowing the preferences of Saudi women of cycling clothes would help designers and sportswear manufacturers come up with new innovative designs that fit the nature of Saudi social norms and observe the traditions and values of Saudi families. A questionnaire was designed to identify Saudi woman’s preferences for cycling clothes, and investigates the current situation of women’s practice of cycling in the Kingdom, with the aim to produce some recommendations that would enable sportswear designers to produce women’s cycling clothes that conform to and respect social and religious values.