Why we started Girls On Gears in 2023

Girls On Gears began in 2023 with a question that sounds simple: why do so few girls and women in Bangladesh know how to ride a bicycle? Ask around and the answers are strikingly similar. “Nobody taught me.” “My family did not allow it.” “People will stare.” “It is not for girls.”

A skill that is missing, not a skill that is hard

Cycling is one of the easiest ways to move through a city. It needs no fuel, no licence and very little money. Yet in Bangladesh, writers and researchers point out that bicycling is still seen as unusual for women, rooted in ideas about modesty and about where women are “supposed” to be. Women who do ride are few, and they often draw stares. The bicycle itself is not the problem. The missing piece is permission, practice and a safe place to learn.

What we decided to build

We chose to keep things small and human. A handful of bicycles, a quiet practice ground, women instructors who never rush, and groups small enough that nobody feels watched. We also decided that a missing bicycle should never be the reason someone cannot start, so learners can borrow one of ours.

What we believe

• Cycling is a life skill, not a luxury.
• Learning is easier among women who understand each other.
• A bicycle is good for the girl who rides and for the air we all breathe.
• Nobody is too old, too shy or too late to learn.
• Progress matters more than perfection. A wobble is part of the story.

Why this knowledge base

Since 2023, hundreds of girls and women have learned with us, and many questions come up again and again. How do I choose a helmet? What do I do about a puncture? Is it safe in traffic? We wrote this knowledge base so that anyone can start learning, even before they meet us. Begin with the five-step series “Learn to cycle in 5 steps” and then read whatever you need: bicycle care, road safety, health, the environment and careers on two wheels.