Iranian women get back on bikes

Since 1979’s Islamic revolution Iranian women have been banned by religious hard-liners from riding motorcycles but now, thanks to a local entrepreneur, they’re flocking to get back on two wheels and strike a blow for independence.

Mohammed Rez-Farhad-Sheikhahamed, head of sales at bike makers Bana Industrial came up with the idea to offer women free lessons. Now, he has almost 4000 ladies signed up to start after just a week after dreaming up the scheme.

He said: " This will give a real boost to our business " , and he had a message for the conservatives who might oppose his plans: " The Prophet Mohammed advise Muslims to ride horses, fence and swim.

" He didn’t split men from women and, since in today’s world horses are no longer used motorbikes are their natural replacements. "

There is another hurdle however; men are banned from teaching to women so finding suitable female instructors may take some time.