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How the Fancy Women Bike Ride Changed the World

Sema Gür, a history teacher from İzmir, had never shown much interest in cycling throughout her life. Even when she joined bike rides at the insistence of her fellow teachers, she would drive her car. After these rides, she secretly longed to ride a bicycle but never had the courage to learn. That changed one summer holiday when her father told her, "It's never too late for anything. If you want, I can teach you how to ride a bike." She was 38 years old.

© EUROPEAN UNION, 2024

Sema Gür learned to ride a bike at the age of 38

She no longer participated in the rides by driving her car; instead, she cycled alongside others on her bike. Reflecting on her experience, she says: "Although I enjoyed it immensely, these rides were largely male-dominated. Men typically organised the rides, and the plans were made without considering women's input. So, we asked each other, 'Why don't we as women organise our own rides? Why don't we cycle through the city in our fancy dresses?'

Mrs Gür invited other women to join the ride with an invitation on social media

In the end, women cyclists decided to start a women's bike ride they had frequently discussed on 23 September 2013, coinciding with World Car Free Day. Mrs Gür invited other women to join the ride with an invitation on social media. She explains:

"I was inspired to create this invitation by the women who liked my cycling photos on social media and expressed their interest in riding with me. We thought maybe five people would show up or maybe no one at all. With that, the Fancy Women Bike Ride (FWBK) was born. But when we arrived, there were approximately 250 women on their bicycles! I was stunned. It was a crowd far beyond anything we had imagined!"

Supported by the EU

A map showing the cities where the ride took place

Over the next 10 years, this crowd grew and spread to more than 200 cities in 30 countries. The Fancy Women Bike Ride became more than just a cycling event; it evolved into a powerful demonstration of women's presence, empowerment, solidarity, and determination in the public sphere.

This awareness-raising event with the slogan 'Let the cities smell of perfume instead of the smell of exhaust' was recognised as an international women's movement by the EU Transport Commission and supported by the EU. In 2022, it was awarded the United Nations World Bicycle Day Special Award.

From one neighbourhood to the world

Pınar Pinzuti, one of the Fancy Women Bike Ride coordinators

Pınar Pinzuti, a cycling activist, was the driving force behind spreading the event worldwide. Mrs. Gür and Mrs. Pinzuti crossed paths in their shared neighbourhood.

"It was a miracle for me that Pınar and I were neighbours, and she was a cycling activist! I was just a beginner, having only recently started cycling, and suddenly, I found myself leading a cycling movement! Pınar organised everything, and we continued together in line with the motto, ''Pedal, not the climate," says Mrs Gür.

Mrs Pinzuti reflects: "I started helping Sema with the website, content creation, and social media. As the organisational aspects expanded, we started to arrange the event together. After I moved to Milan, the event continued to expand, reaching many countries and cities, particularly in Italy, Germany, and Switzerland. We are incredibly proud to have pioneered women's cycling rides in many cities," says Mrs Pinzuti.

Time for a transformation!

Sema Gür and Pınar Pinzuti, the coordinators of the Fancy Women Bike Ride

After 10 years of this incredible adventure, Mrs Gür and Mrs Pinzuti announced it was time for a transformation. As a result, there was no centralised Fancy Women Bike Ride (FWBK) this year.

'None of these achievements would have been possible without the dedication and commitment of countless female volunteers working tirelessly behind the scenes. The FWBR fulfilled its mission and created space for independent local action. The spirit of FWBR will continue to live on in every one of us,' states Mrs Pinzuti.

Demonstrating that change is possible

Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, the Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye

The Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, Ambassador Thomas Ossowski, says: "We are proud to have supported this extraordinary initiative that not only promotes cycling and sustainable transport but also empowers women. This movement has shown that change is possible when we come together for a common cause."

Transforming women's lives

The FWBR has transformed the lives of many women

The FWBR has transformed the lives of many women. One such woman is Nevin Altınsoy, a housewife who learned to ride a bike at the age of 55. "Even though I didn't know how to ride a bike, I joined the tour on foot in 2017. But while I was there, I promised myself that I would learn to ride a bike, and I kept that promise. Cycling has liberated me," reflects Mrs Altınsoy.

İlknur Tunger, the Fancy Women Bike Ride (FWBK) coordinator for Torbalı, shares her experience: "At the clock tower, I saw fancy women gathered. I approached them and said, 'I wish I knew how to ride a bike.' Mrs. Sema told me, 'Learn and come back next year.' And that's exactly what I did-I learned how to ride a bicycle and even organised the FWBR in Torbalı. We then founded the Keyifli Pedal group with the women in Torbalı. Now, I take part in international rides."

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