Simon Usborne: Cycling is still oiling the wheels of women's liberation more than 100 years on
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The way cycling has oiled the wheels of women's liberation in this country and in the US is well documented (go dig out that quote by Susan B Anthony, the American suffragette). Less so is the way it is still doing so elsewhere more than 100 years later.
In rural Ghana, to take one of many examples, budget bikes from China are beginning to transform the prospects of schoolgirls. In villages where the walk to school can take two hours or more, almost half of girls are expected to stay at home. Those who do make the journey can also be vulnerable to kidnappers with forced marriage in mind.
ActionAid has helped 28 families rescue girls taken in this way, while also handing out 40 bicycles to keep girls in the classroom and in greater safety. Fuseina is 13. Her parents got bicycles for her brothers but saw school as only optional for her, so she didn't go. She now has wheels, too, and wants to be the first girl from her community to go to university.
Bikes are similarly transforming the lives of women and girls all over the developing world, as charities and other organisations realise their potential. Another charity, Re-Cycle, based in Colchester, turns unwanted bikes in Britain into emancipating machines through projects across Africa. If you have one at risk of rusting away in a shed, look them up: re-cycle.org. See also: actionaid.org.uk.
@susborne
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments