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Everything I learned as a young woman using Careem's bike-sharing service

Everything I learned as a young woman using Careem's bike-sharing service

Could you share a bike with a total stranger as part of your daily commute? I did, and I'm a woman
Updated 09 Nov, 2017

I am a 28-year-old single woman, born and brought up in Gulistan-e-Jauhar, a residential area of Karachi that largely houses upwardly mobile yet traditionally conservative middle-class families.

This may be a generalisation but families like mine expect women to get an education but remain well within the bounds of patriarchal norms. Dupattas, for example, are a must. When we seat ourselves on motorcycles, our back rolls and heavy bottoms must not burst through our shirts, the chaaks of which are carefully placed in a way to hide our thighs in our shalwars. We sit with our legs crossed as if we're sitting on a sofa in our drawing room. You know, 'like a lady'.

We're largely dependent on our brothers, fathers or paid drivers to take us around this city. Sometimes, we take rickshaws. Other times, we have to ask for permission and/or money, so we can pay for a Careem ride and get on with our lives.

So it's naturally a struggle when you force yourself to defy the norm and sit on a motorbike the way men sit (I call this way of sitting the 'normal' way).

This is me sitting on a bike the safe way.
This is me sitting on a bike the safe way.

And it's even more difficult when the man behind whom you're sitting is not your patriarch but a stranger providing you a ride-hailing service.

My first bike ride

When Careem first introduced their bike-hailing service, I was pleased because I knew this would be cheaper than their car option. I use Careem for my commute regularly and sometimes, it can get expensive.

The typical Careem bike ride is 30-40 percent cheaper than its car option, so I figured: why not use it?

However, from what I've gathered, in Pakistan, it is more objectionable for a young woman to use a bike-hailing service than a car-hailing service, so I knew it would not all be smooth sailing. Fearing a reaction, I didn't tell anybody at home I was going to do this.

Here's me taking a helmet selfie near the New Town area
Here's me taking a helmet selfie near the New Town area

The first time I hailed a bike ride was from my office near II Chundrigarh Road to Tipu Sultan Road. I had to pick up a signed copy of Malala's autobiography I am Malala that someone wanted to get rid of.

I sensed nervous energy building up inside me as soon as I pressed Chalo on the Careem app. Among other things, I questioned my clothes (I didn't have a dupatta on me and my shirt only covered half my thighs). Soon, I got a call from Careem and it was the rider on the other side, asking if I had mistakenly called for a bike instead of a car.

"No, I called for a bike," I told him, laughing internally.

Reaching within two minutes, the captain confirmed my name and offered me a helmet, which I was very pleased to receive. "Do you want a surgical cap too?" he asked. I must have looked confused because he then explained: "We sweat in the helmets when it's hot outside so the company has given us these caps to maintain hygiene."

'Hmmm. Impressive,' I thought to myself.

On the way to Espresso in my first Careem bike ride.
On the way to Espresso in my first Careem bike ride.

I made a small faux pas though: As I mounted the bike I placed my hand on the captain's shoulder, not realising I'd be invading his personal space. I apologised immediately and asked him if it was okay to place my hand on his shoulder for support should there be a bump.

"Koi issue nahi hai, madam," he said, reassuring me. "Aap araam se baithi hain? (Are you sitting comfortably?)" he inquired, and I assured him I was fine. All set, we left for my destination.

And it was fun. The breeze that night was amazing and the bike ride felt as if I was in an amusement park. I enjoyed the sensation of driving in the open air, plus the driver was really nice too! Courteous, professional and safe, I gave him five stars.

Once the ride ended, I thanked him for a pleasant experience. In his response, he said it was his first "miracle ride" on a bike with a female in Karachi. Yeah, I'll take that.

The next few bike rides offered a similar experience. A delightful trip, swaying on the roads, cutting through the traffic, upwards and downwards on the flyovers. A total mood changer.

Can you tell how much fun I was having?
Can you tell how much fun I was having?

I also saved a truckload of money, experienced no peak factors and spent less time on the road.

Independence feels amazing, I tell you!

My bad experience

But independence doesn't come without a fight. Even though most of my rides went smoothly, every time I hailed a bike I mentally prepared myself should anything go wrong. 'It's going to be okay, Yusra,' I'd tell myself. Or, 'Who cares what people think, anyway?'

Unfortunately, one bike ride did go wrong.

I had hailed a bike to come collect me from my workplace as usual, and as I climbed up on the bike, the Careem captain appeared shocked.

"Aap aisay baithaingi? (Is this how you will sit?)" he asked. I wasn't sitting side-saddle, I was sitting astride the bike like men do. So I said yes, how else does he think I should sit?

"Nahin waisay baithain na jaisay aurtain baithti hain (No, you should sit the way women sit)," he replied. When I told him it was dangerous to sit side-saddle, he protested and said: "Magar loug dekhtay hain na! (But people will stare!)."

Sigh. The ride went downhill from there. The captain clearly did not want to accommodate a woman on his bike, and after we reached my destination and I disembarked, he told me, "Aap next time car hail karein, bike nahi (Next time hail a car, not a bike)."

I felt discouraged by his attitude and everything he had said. I didn't feel like using the Careem bike-hailing app for a few days afterwards. I also found the driver's behaviour completely at odds with Careem's user-friendly ethos.

After discussing what I had endured with my friends, I reported him.

Everything I learned from using Careem's bike-sharing service

I learned quite a few things from this experience.

First, I realised how easily women compromise their comfort and safety.

We're so used to prioritising the comfort of others that we don't think of ourselves and undergo immense pain just to save others from anxiety (I'm looking at you, Careem captain who wanted me to sit side-saddle!). Trust me, bike rides are a lot more fun and feel amazing when you're seated comfortably with your safety gear on.

Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience... when done right
Riding a motorcycle is an exhilarating experience... when done right

I also learned to always report the incident if someone violates your sense of safety. They need to know this behaviour and attitude is not welcome. When I called Careem to report my unsatisfactory experience, the representative told me that I should not feel guilty for reporting a driver and that women should report bad experiences more often. The representative said that feedback is essential to improve overall customer experience and that it also helps weed out bad drivers.

Secondly, I realised how patriarchy and oppression are stitched in our clothes. A lot of times I had trouble mounting the motorcycle because my pants wouldn't allow me to stretch my legs and move freely. I was scared I'd tear them. Other times, I'd put off going on a bike because I'd be wearing A-line shirts which were stitched without any slits. Also, it is extremely inconvenient to manage all my bags AND my dupatta while maintaining balance on a moving motorcycle.

Third, and one of my most important realisations, was that there is strength in numbers. I had to do a lot of emotional labour by myself just to be mobile. Using a bike-hailing app and sitting 'like a man' wouldn't have been so tough had it been the norm, or at least a norm in the making. As things stood, I couldn't draw moral support from anywhere but myself, and sometimes the bike captains.

It would be lovely if we had more women like me outside, doing their thing and smashing the patriarchy, one bike ride at a time.

I rank my bike-sharing experience on Careem 3 stars out of 5!

Comments

SARMAD Nov 09, 2017 09:06am
Well done Yusra! wish more girls come out and slit the curtains of patriarchy without worrying about slits in their kameez!
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Salman ali Nov 09, 2017 09:19am
Thank you Ms. Yusra Jabeen and Dawn for this. Very different and encouraging. We have been living in Jakarta for many years and Bike sharing rides have changed the City landscape. No gender issues here. Am sure Careem will soon be offering additional services like Delivery of parcels, Maids on call for hourly work etc.
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Saif Nov 09, 2017 09:21am
Yusra, you are brave.
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Maybe Nov 09, 2017 09:39am
I definitely appreciate your courage and would love to see more women using this ride. However, maybe the guy who ruined your experience simply felt unsure and uncomfortable especially given the intricate nature of harassment. Imagine the captain was a woman and a guy wanted to sit in a way she wasn't comfortable with. We have to break the cultural shackles but that is going to take some time I believe.
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dynamite Nov 09, 2017 09:41am
try an Okada in Lagos city..very convenient......men women, teenagers all use it.
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Jalal Nov 09, 2017 09:45am
We need more people like you Yusra. Thank you for sharing this.
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Nuzhat Nov 09, 2017 09:52am
Well done. Keep it up. We need more brave women like you.
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iftikhar Nov 09, 2017 09:53am
It is a WOW ....in KHI unbelievable. ..USRA YOU R STUNNING. ..
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faseehullah Nov 09, 2017 10:11am
I will have a rather different opinion. If You wanna have a bike ride of carem then do have. If someone wants to have car ride then let them have it too. You want to lose dupatta then lose at your will but why pointing out at those who don't want? i mean seriously Live your way and let others live according to their ways. Cool isn't it?
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Deepu Nov 09, 2017 10:15am
I love when I ride pillion with my wife on her bike !
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Mushirk Nov 09, 2017 10:16am
This bike riding thing id an excellent idea. Very practical and bound to be efficient. I like this.
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Balaji Nov 09, 2017 10:26am
This article is sad. When the rest of the world is moving towards unisex motorbikes, this is so so daunting.
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Hammad Nov 09, 2017 10:29am
You are brave like Malala! We need more Malalas like you. Our nation is proud on our daughters.
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Muhamma Irfan Nov 09, 2017 10:35am
Keep it Up !!! that's the way to do it.
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Eedie Nov 09, 2017 10:35am
Kudos to the author for this experiment. I hope it bears improvement for the society. I would like to draw attention towards two points. One, the "bad experience" captain is also a product of the society that we live in. He has been conditioned to think the way he thinks - it is up to the company to train its staff better if they expect results from them that are generally different from the societal norms (norms does not equal right). Second, "patriarchy and oppression are stitched in our clothes" is too general a statement. Not everything is about patriarchy, sometimes its our fashion choices that restrict us. It makes it very difficult to ride a bike, especially a heavy one when I am wearing skinny jeans, more baggy jeans make it a much more easier, so do stretchy fabrics. And oh, I am a male. Overall, a great write-up.
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Syed irfan ali Nov 09, 2017 10:43am
Bravo!!! Thoroughly enjoyed the whole read..
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Sarmad Hassan Nov 09, 2017 10:44am
Yes, Yusra you are really one of the heroin of this world and you are so courageous to challenge these laws which are hindrance among our worldly desires.
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Khurram Farooq Nov 09, 2017 10:51am
Well done!
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Raveesh Raj Nov 09, 2017 10:54am
Well done girl! you did right to empower women. Your article might encourage many to experience the same. The last ride you had, rider didn't want to ride with you the way you wanted because if someone saw him this way, may be his own wife. he would have been accused of cheating. We need to think every way possible.
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ABDUL HAFEEZ Nov 09, 2017 11:08am
Great! but why women don't drive bikes?
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Jade Nov 09, 2017 11:23am
Thanks Yusra for sharing your positive experience. I was expecting that you will share an experience of sexual harassment, but the fact that you did not come across any, will be reassuring for a lot of young women around.
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Asgher Nov 09, 2017 11:32am
Well done Yusra!
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Saba Gul Nov 09, 2017 11:46am
You rock, Yusra! This made my day. Hope many other women will follow your lead, and hope some day soon women will also become Careem captains for bikes.
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Ji Nov 09, 2017 12:37pm
Nice pictures. Bikes form the 70s.why no mirrors on bike.its an offense.
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J Khan Nov 09, 2017 01:22pm
You go girl! Kudos to you for defying chauvinist stereotypes and standing up against discrimination. Let us hope that we will someday soon be able to smash the gender divide and become a more tolerant nation.
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urooj Nov 09, 2017 01:29pm
woww, love the way you expressed your feelings, i felt like as i was riding too. On a serious note, we really need to encourage and motivate women to take initiatives like you but yes well within the patriarchal norms :-)
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sajjad Nov 09, 2017 01:43pm
Welldone Yusra. I am a father of two girls and I always think about their future in our country. you have actually given hope to people like me with your Can Do approach. Keep breaking the taboos and more power to you!
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fayyaz Nov 09, 2017 03:07pm
Bravo Yusra!
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Zaofushan Nov 09, 2017 03:08pm
Thank you, for writing this, Yusra. I always wondered how the hell side saddle made women comfortable in bike rides? And I don't know a single bike riding female in my circle who didn't have a major/minor accident because of this side-saddle position.
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MALE Nov 09, 2017 04:12pm
Congratulations Yusra. You have a Brave Heart. Keep it up.
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Rumana Nov 09, 2017 04:58pm
As an expatraite woman in Thailand, I have taken "motorbike taxis" for more than 6 years regularly. Life and times would be so boring without them....
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Umair khan Nov 09, 2017 05:06pm
Two Words; Well Done!! I’d call you a game changer yusra, if the bar you have set does pick up on.
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Jamal Nov 09, 2017 05:15pm
Good on you Yusra. Hope the drivers felt secure and comfortable too :)
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rehan umer Nov 09, 2017 05:32pm
awesome ....!!!!!!
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murtaza Nov 09, 2017 05:36pm
I think this was a couragous act, Specially in a society where women or girls in particular even dont want to use the careem cars. I agree all kinds of experiences can happen, But the world is changing for the better. Even we the male gender get all kinds of drivers so its not just for the female gender. All i can sum up to is these ride hailing services are excellent, but they are not dependable on a rainy day.
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suraiya Nov 09, 2017 05:39pm
Well done! Be the change you want to see!
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imran Nov 09, 2017 05:43pm
Thank you Careem for giving a new perspective to life. More power to this lady. And bravo to all bike captain who are playing a positive role.
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ahmed Nov 09, 2017 06:30pm
Vespa scooter is better than a bike with its Stepney tire obstructing unwanted stares from the back. Don't wear a duppata but wear a doctor's overall coat in a suitable colour, not for stares but from typical dirt and dust of Karachi's road pollution.
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N_Saq Nov 09, 2017 07:38pm
Careem bike ride is definitely good idea for big cities but here I will add my two cents - there should be a barrier between the captain and the passenger so taht the captain and the passenger can have their private space and are not touching each other. The barrier will allow men and women to hold on to the barrier instead of the man. This is necessary to avoid any untoward incident. -In order to break the traditions one must be persistent and slowly by slowly people accept change. Just like any fashion change, everyone doesn't accept change in fashion immediately. Remember until mid 20th century women in the West should also cover their heads and wear clothes from neck to ankle, no pants or jeans even. It all started slowly as some women started challenging the status quo and before you know here we are. In the beginning it was tough for those who tried to break the barriers but then it became a norm. So my point, fight for your right!
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UMME Aimun Nov 09, 2017 07:41pm
@SARMAD would you like your mother, sister and daughter to follow this lady... need you to answer just and fair.... if answer is no, then you really not fair in your comments...
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Patriarch Nov 09, 2017 09:06pm
Amazing story! Bike rides are 100% fun. More women should try out bike rides.
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a Nov 09, 2017 10:53pm
Hey get scooters with side cars !! Problem solved !
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Muneeb Nov 10, 2017 01:17am
Thank you for breaking the taboos and reclaiming space for women. I thank you on behalf of our next generations.
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sure Nov 10, 2017 10:09am
Inspiring, keep it up!
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Mehwish Nov 10, 2017 11:37am
Way to go Yusra!
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AKS Nov 10, 2017 12:43pm
I salute to you Sister
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AKS Nov 10, 2017 12:58pm
@UMME Aimun In my opinion Moral Support is more important. girls were not traveling alone in taxi but now they are. Good thing is this that no body has put negative comments here.
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Farrukh Nov 10, 2017 03:07pm
Woww Yusra! You are opening the gates to our females to get the independence in life.
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asad ch Nov 10, 2017 04:06pm
It is really captivated for me to see the initiative for hailing-bike services from cream because it is economical for the majority of Pakistani's who are comprising in middle-class status and this facility also provides a solution from the gigantic traffic jam on the roads. But according to my stance women are not living in patriarchy in our society, everyone loves there wifes, daughters, sisters and mothers but women totally misunderstand the caring of men is oppression.please do not misunderstand the men's care and respect because it is admitted fact that women have less emotional stability as compare to men and sometimes this emotional behaviour lead towards odd situations.
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Ahsan Shah Nov 10, 2017 10:33pm
Seriously this webpage has given me some hope for our country. You ate brave Yusra. Kudos!
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Faria Shahab Nov 11, 2017 12:41am
You are such an inspiration,mashaAllah.I pray you stay safe and unharmed while breakning norms and barriers.
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M. A. Aleem Nov 11, 2017 03:57pm
It's quite courageous to share a bike ride but I would disagree to your bad experience comments as what the captain suggested to you was his own philosophy and particularly when you are not acting as per norms. Remember bike is a all sided open vehicle & the captain suggested what he felt for your safety & perhaps he considered it necessary. However when such things become usual you won't feel any discomfort.
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M. A. Aleem Nov 11, 2017 03:59pm
Exactly what I think.
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A Manan Nov 11, 2017 08:00pm
There are other ways to break gender stereotypes in using road transport. However I must commend you on your courage!
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Samiullah Nov 11, 2017 09:09pm
bold women but agaisnt million of innocent women sit in norms.
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Maha Nov 12, 2017 02:28pm
I didnt find it encouraging at all... N I personally believe that physical touches must be avoided for taxi/cab services... Whether u r male or female
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Maha Nov 12, 2017 02:29pm
@Balaji exactly
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Maha Nov 12, 2017 02:30pm
@UMME Aimun I agree
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Jehangir Nov 12, 2017 03:07pm
Well done! Being a man it had always annoyed me why Pakistani ladies compromise their safety by doing this balancing act on bikes. In fact it is usually with the risk of a baby or two in arms as well. Too bad you had no other motivation to support..I wish I was a lady who can join you in this culture change! Good luck and I think it will be good if Careem offer discounts to women who bring this culture change for safety of all female bike riders!
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Daoud Azam Nov 12, 2017 10:43pm
I am amazed by this women, more power to you!
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KAamran Nov 13, 2017 02:27am
You have won laurels . Everyone reading this will appreciate your efforts to break the taboo. Just keep on doing things normally . And thank you for sharing this.
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Zeeshan Nov 14, 2017 02:24pm
Well Done Yusra.. In a society where we have double standards, you have certainly taken a bold step .. may Almighty be with you.. Stay blessed Stay Strong.
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Saqib Nov 15, 2017 12:10pm
@faseehullah Brilliant Reply
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liberal 'MAN' Nov 15, 2017 07:06pm
I am totally against women sitting in odd way (usual side way ) they should sit normally like we (men) do and wear hamlets ... many incidents happen (like duppata or abaya getting in wheels) and people loose lives. I think women should sit straight (like men) and women should ride bike (or Scotties) themselves and get their independence. I always ask my wife to sit normally (like men) but she kind of hesitate thinking what will people say... but safety should be priority.
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