Hamida Jogee: The Real Yellow Jersey winner who built a cycling sisterhood from the ground up

Hamida was already a member of the volunteering team at S.A.S. Rights, a grassroots women-led community group that addresses social injustice and empowers marginalised communities in Blackburn.

She hadn’t been on a bike as an adult, although she had learnt to ride as a toddler. As someone who also doesn’t drive and tends to walk everywhere, when an opportunity came along to participate in a public group protest ride, she jumped at the chance. 

I wanted to take part because I did cycle as a child, and it felt like my moment to start again, but in the Muslim community it’s not something we often do

The ride was organised as a soft form of activism to break down taboos and the stigma associated with Muslim women riding bikes. Hamida agreed to it instantly, as the opportunity to get back on a bike made her very excited – it offered a great way to get out and about more and meet new people.

When word got around about the upcoming group ride, interest kept growing and growing. Many women who wanted to take part, however, weren’t sure where to get bikes and helmets from given the costs associated to it – Hamida included. Thankfully, all the equipment and use of park facilities needed were secured through the help of Darwen Re:fresh, a local health and wellbeing initiative.

From that first ride, Hamida and the rest of S.A.S. Rights built trust and a relationship with Cycling UK staff, and since the initial Big Bike Revival grant, they have become an official Community Cycle Club run by women. They now organise bike rides every week to boost mental and physical health, while instilling confidence and community.

Hamida is over the moon about this: 

I'm so glad we came across the Big Bike Revival programme, the events and activities as a group. We are doing so well and I'm so proud to be involved
 

Due to her inspiring work with S.A.S. Rights, Hamida has been named one of Cycling UK’s Real Yellow Jersey winners. The award, launched to mark 10 years of The Big Bike Revival, celebrates everyday people using cycling to improve lives and build stronger communities.

The social benefits have been huge, as the group has served as a way to meet a diverse range of people – many who have joined are not from the Muslim community and the initiative has therefore improved community cohesion through building new bridges.

Hamida has thrown herself in the deep end and fearlessly tried new things. She’s also excited about the potential employment and volunteering opportunities that might come through the club, as she’s interested in training to become a group ride leader.

Beyond this, the new confidence she has gained through cycling has had even more positive effects and opened new doors. Hamida has improved both her public speaking and local leadership skills, and the cycling club has become like a new family to her.

Hamida loves it, the rides are the highlight of her week: 

It’s made a big difference to me. I’ve gained a lot of confidence, made a lot of special friends along the line, learning new things all the time. It’s improved my health, both physically and mentally.  I’ve made new friends, so it’s helped me be more social, and I’ve definitely learnt how to cycle more safely, both off and on the road. All this I’ve learned from riding in a group, because we support and look out for each other

“Simply put, cycling makes me happy. Getting on a bike makes me feel exhilarated.”