Middle East News
Iran plans to make special bicycles for women
By DPA
May 17, 2007, 23:03 GMT

Tehran - Iran plans to make special bicycles designed for women that will be compatible with Islamic regulations and not expose their body movements while riding, the newspaper Iran reported Thursday.

The new bicycle would have a cabin to cover half of a rider's body, the daily quoted project manager Elaheh Sofali as saying.

Women's sports in general, and cycling in particular, have been a constant controversial issue in Islamic Iran. Several efforts to promote athletics by reformist circles and women's activists have failed because of opposition by the conservative clergy.

Women in Iran are obliged to wear scarves and long gowns to hide their hair and body contours. Female athletes must also follow this rule and participate in sports wearing scarves and gowns.

The clergy considers women's body movements made while riding a bicycle to be provoking to men and not compatible with social rules.