Women Bikers in Pakistan Driving Change
Lahore: Women on motorcycles are redefining urban mobility in Pakistan’s major cities, using two-wheelers as a smart and affordable alternative to unreliable public transport.
From university students to working professionals, female riders are increasingly visible on Lahore’s roads, challenging stereotypes and carving out independence. Despite progress, barriers such as limited infrastructure, social pressures, and unsafe road conditions still persist.
The surge of Women bikers in Pakistan is driven by economic necessity, safety, and personal freedom. Fuel costs on two-wheelers remain a fraction of daily rickshaw fares, making them the obvious choice for many students and workers.
Motorcycles also provide privacy, autonomy, and access to education, work, and social life — advantages denied by public transport plagued by harassment.
Another force driving this change is the electric vehicle (EV) boom. Industry leaders report that 70% of Pakistan’s new EV bike buyers are women, with sales jumping from 20,000 to nearly 45,000 units in one year. Government subsidies under the EV Policy 2025 earmark 25% of e-bike incentives for women, boosting female mobility even further.
Programmes like Punjab’s Women on Wheels initiative have trained thousands of riders and helped normalise female presence on the streets. While the programme ended in 2019, its impact lingers as more women now confidently ride scooters and motorcycles.
However, challenges remain. Riders often modify clothing for safety, struggle to find protective gear, and lack formal training opportunities. Family opposition and inadequate government support can also discourage sustained use.
Yet, pioneers like Faryal Ashraf — Pakistan’s first aspiring female road racer — continue to break barriers, showing that two wheels can be a tool of empowerment and societal change.
True progress will depend on coordinated action from authorities, corporate stakeholders, and the transport sector. When inclusive infrastructure, strict safety enforcement, and supportive policies converge, Women bikers in Pakistanwill no longer be an exception but an everyday sight, reshaping Pakistan’s roads for the better. dawn
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