Cyclers Rally to Promote Bike-Riding in Tunis
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October 1, 2017 21 Society Tunisia Cyclers rally to promote bike-riding in Tunis Roua Khlifi (it ranks 24th in the value of such exports, the World’s Top Exports website stated), explained that an Tunis increase in cycling can benefit the Tunisian economy. n the throbbing heart of down- “Bicycles are manufactured in town Tunis, hundreds of peo- Tunisia and repaired and it could ple of all ages gathered for solve many problems for people “Tunis by Bike,” a cycling ini- who commute,” he said. “It is less tiative promoting bicycle rid- expensive and it is ecological.” Iing in the city. Despite the event’s large turnout, Begun in 2012 by the Tunisian many bike enthusiasts are appre- Association of Velorution, “Tunis hensive about the dangers of cy- by Bike” invites cyclists to take part cling on roads without bike lanes. in a nocturnal bike tour of Tunis’s “We still have issues with secu- major monuments and highlights. rity as many road users and drivers The aim is to promote cycling to do not respect bike users. In addi- combat pollution. tion, the roads are not equipped “Today, we are here to raise with paths for cyclists,” said Ben public awareness about how using Omrane, who has been biking to bicycles is a necessary thing that work for three years. He added that helps avoid traffic jams and pollu- authorities do not respect cycling tion, as well as being a means of en- as a means of transportation and joyment,” said Hamza Abderrahim, that mentality can only be changed one of the event’s organisers. “If by increasing public awareness. road-users see us in this number, “It is a mentality issue that un- they will start respecting cyclists dermines the importance of bikes,” on the roads and the state will he said. “Today, you can feel things improve infrastructure for bike- are changing, which is good. Bikes users.” give you mobility. It is true the “There are many benefits to us- road is difficult but you get used ing bikes in Tunis,” added Walid to it. With the economic situation, Large turnout. Participants in the “Tunis by Bike” initiative ride in the streets of the capital, Tunis. Ben Omrane, another organiser. the bicycle can be a great idea.” (Tunis by Bike) “Financially, instead of using met- Participants at the event, many ros, you can save an important of whom rode bikes to Tunis from cycling is to avoid crowded streets ent to see a girl on a bike and they amount of money. It is healthy and their hometowns, agreed. and use less-populated routes. won’t leave you alone. Harassment beneficial for the body as well.” “I use cycling for everything and “The only way now is to opt for is an issue but we shouldn’t care. While many see cycling as solely every day,” said Hamdi Khalfaoui, less-crowded streets to avoid is- Let them say whatever they want an athletic activity, participants at a 21-year-old student. “It is some- sues and accidents,” said Khalil, and that should not keep me from the event stressed riding a bike can thing I enjoy and it facilitates my 26, who said he commutes to work doing this. Bicycles have the right be a form of daily transportation life. It saves a lot of money and it is via bike almost every day. “We are to have roads more than cars.” that is economical and ecologically good for your health.” here today to promote the idea of Other female participants used friendly. “I almost never walk. I use the using bicycles as a means of trans- the event as an opportunity to re- “We want to show people there bike instead,” added Ala, a 20-year portation. Mentality can change if claim their right to the road. are many of us, which will encour- old student. “Unfortunately, no there are more of us every day.” “I call on more girls to use their age others who want to use their one respects us on the streets. The Despite the event’s In addition to concerns about bikes until people get used to it bikes daily but are discouraged,” car drivers cut you off and do not large turnout, many road safety, female cyclists say and it is no longer an issue,” said said Abderrahim. “We have a great even apologise. We would love to bike enthusiasts are they face the additional problem Kaouther Labidi, 24. “The more we turnout today. Tunis can be an en- have paths only for bikes like all apprehensive about of street harassment, especially in are, the less harassment we get.” vironment for using bikes. It is the the cities of the world. Today, I am Tunis. alternative to pollution.” here to support this initiative. We the dangers of “People are disrespectful, said Roua Khlifi is a regular Travel and Ben Omrane, who noted that need to keep this going.” cycling on roads Mariem Ben Amara, 21, who par- Culture contributor to The Arab Tunisia is a top exporter of bikes For some, the best way to enjoy without bike lanes. ticipated in the event. “It is differ- Weekly. She is based in Tunis. Tunisia’s AfroBasket win reflects growing popularity of sport Stephen Quillen dividual breakout performances as well. In a semi-final between Nige- ria and Senegal, Senegal’s Youssou Tunis Ndoye stunned the crowd by shat- tering the backboard with a power- hile basketball has ful dunk. traditionally been Despite the sport’s progress, viewed as an Amer- many challenges remain for bas- ican pastime, its ketball in the Maghreb, principally popularity is grow- a lack of facilities and access. Wing in the Middle East and North “I started to play basketball, Africa, where young people are mainly because I was very tall turning to the sport as an alterna- growing up and a coach told me tive to football and other popular that if I developed my skills I could activities. be a good player,” said Morjene. The trend, fans said, has been “One of the hard things was that good for a region that often lacks there is only one stadium in my positive outlets for young people town and it is not always possible but has hit an impasse due to a lack to access it. Sometimes we would of recreational facilities and organ- show up and we were unable to ised youth leagues. train.” The National Basketball Associa- The story is similar for many bas- tion (NBA), with the help of local ketball players in the region, who partners, hopes to make basketball often develop their skills later in more accessible in the region. life than their counterparts in the “The Middle East has great po- West. Mejri, who plays centre for tential and there is a fast growth Great potential. Members of the Tunisian basketball team crowned FIBA AfroBasket 2017 Cham- the Dallas Mavericks, did not start here in terms of viewership and so- pions, on September 16. (FIBA AfroBasket 2017) with the sport until his late teens, cial media interaction, which reso- having played competitive football nates an active and healthy life- growing up. Abdel Nader, an Egyp- style within indoor settings in the home country. tember 16. In Tunisia, the games the championship game when Tu- tian-American player for the NBA’s region,” said Ben Morel, the NBA’s “Everywhere I play, there are Tu- were sold out and the energy in the nisia defeated Nigeria’s D’Tigers, Boston Celtics, did not play basket- managing director and senior vice- nisians and I sometimes see flags host country’s Rades stadium was 77-65. It marked a thrilling end to ball until a year before high school. president of Europe, the Middle in the stands,” Mejri said in an in- palpable. the 29th continental tournament If AfroBasket 2017 was any indi- East and Africa. terview with the National Basket- This was particularly true during and showed how far the sport has cation, however, the region could “These are really exciting times ball Players Association. “It’s crazy come in a region where football is be churning out more stars before and the Middle East is a key area to see. They hit me on Facebook, dominant. long. of growth to the NBA,” he added, Twitter, Instagram. A lot of peo- “The level of play was very “We are beginning to watch bas- saying the league plans to have a ple say: ‘Hey, how are you? We are good. Great dunks. Great competi- ketball more and more here,” said pre-season game in Dubai before coming tonight to see you.’ Some of tion,” said Ghassen Morjene, who Morjene. “The NBA, Nike Air, all 2020 and host several festivals in them ask for tickets. Some of them played basketball for Espoir Spor- those things tied with sport are be- the region. ask to see me.” tif de Hammam Sousse. “It was a coming trendy.” Along with bringing NBA festi- Mejri has had a big impact at good thing for the sport and for our “We have an enormous follow- vals and stores to the Gulf, the NBA home, too, both in drawing atten- If AfroBasket 2017 country.” ing in the NBA but we’re not doing has made inroads in North Africa, tion to the sport and participating was any indication, It wasn’t just Tunisia that put on enough,” noted NBA Commission- particularly with the addition of in training camps and initiatives however, the a solid performance at the contest. er Adam Silver to Sport360 in May.