Bob
6th October 2005, 00:13
It appears that the 25-year ban on women riding motorcycles in Iran is about to be lifted.
"It is not an offence for women to ride motorbikes and they can apply, just like men, for a driving license and ride while respecting Islamic values," Mohsen Ansari, the chief of Iran's traffic police, was quoted as saying by the Khorassan daily.
Iranian women are allowed to drive cars, riding bicycles has been tolerated since the 1990's and women are also allowed to ride pillion on a motorbike.
In 2002, thousands of women lined up for free motorcycle lessons offered by a manufacturer, but the classes were quickly called off due to apparent opposition from authorities.
"It is not an offence for women to ride motorbikes and they can apply, just like men, for a driving license and ride while respecting Islamic values," Mohsen Ansari, the chief of Iran's traffic police, was quoted as saying by the Khorassan daily.
Iranian women are allowed to drive cars, riding bicycles has been tolerated since the 1990's and women are also allowed to ride pillion on a motorbike.
In 2002, thousands of women lined up for free motorcycle lessons offered by a manufacturer, but the classes were quickly called off due to apparent opposition from authorities.