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Yalla Let's Bike

Damascus, Syria

2018 - Ongoing

Climate ChangeGenderMobilityPost-conflict Development

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Project Description

Approach Words: Inclusive City, Participatory Approach, Sustainability

Public Policy Instruments: Communicative, Physical Intervention

The “Yalla Let’s Bike Syria” is a community initiative promoting women’s empowerment and sustainable mobility through cycling in Damascus and other Syrian cities. Launched in 2018 amid Syria’s ongoing conflict,¹ the initiative challenges gender norms in a conservative society, envisioning “advocating for women’s right to independent mobility” through cycling.² ³

With this vision, the project aligns with global sustainability and gender equality efforts, particularly the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 5 (Gender Equality) and 13 (Climate Action).⁴ Beyond promoting cycling, the initiative seeks to tackling urban transportation challenges exacerbated by war,⁵ fostering social inclusion, and contributing to grassroots climate resilience efforts.⁶

Title: Yalla Let's Bike second bike ride for peace in Homs, Syria.

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Title: Members of Yalla Let's Bike participate in a mass bike ride in Damascus, Syria in an undated photo

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Title: Sarah Zein, who is actively challenging social taboos while addressing climate change, remarks on the unexpected reactions from bystanders and instances of sexual harassment.

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Title: Cycling coaching session in Damascus, Syria in 2015.

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Title: Yalla Let's Bike second bike ride for peace in Homs, Syria.

Source: Click Here

Title: Members of Yalla Let's Bike participate in a mass bike ride in Damascus, Syria in an undated photo

Source: Click Here

Title: Sarah Zein, who is actively challenging social taboos while addressing climate change, remarks on the unexpected reactions from bystanders and instances of sexual harassment.

Source: Click Here

Title: Cycling coaching session in Damascus, Syria in 2015.

Source: Click Here

The initiative has expanded from Damascus to other cities, including Latakia (UCI). Its core activities include:

Cycling workshops; teaching bike repair and ridding skills,⁷ ⁸
Community-led bike rides; organizing group rides to foster camaraderie,⁹ ¹⁰
Advocacy campaigns; normalizing women cycling in public spaces,¹¹ ¹²
Sustainability focus; promoting non-motorized transport¹³ to reduce fossil fuel reliance and air pollution,¹⁴
Accessibility and safety; establishing safe routes and female-only cycling events to counter harassment.¹⁵

By reviving a once-common practice eroded by war, the initiative blends tradition with innovation, using bikes as symbols of freedom, resilience, and practicality in a fractured society.¹⁶

Owner/Developer (Public)

community-led ²⁴

Owner/Developer (Public)

community-led ²⁴

Founded by Nour Jarrouj, a Syrian cyclist and activist, Yalla Let’s Bike Syria collaborates with local NGOs, international donors, and UN agencies such as UNFCCC.¹⁷ ¹⁸
Its implementation has evolved in phases:

2018–2020: Pilot workshops, distribution of donated bicycles, and early community engagement.
2021–present: Expansion of training programs, establishment of cycling clubs and advocacy networks.¹⁹ ²⁰

As of 2023, over 1,000 women have participated in rides and workshops, with cycling clubs now active in multiple cities.²¹ Despite funding challenges, the initiative continues to grow, aiming to make cycling a “normalized, safe, and sustainable transport option for all Syrians”.²²
Jarrouj envisions Yalla Let’s Bike Syria as a model for post-conflict recovery, proving that “even in war, women can pedal toward freedom”.²³

Project Link, Endnotes and References

Project Link

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Endnotes

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References

‘“Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative | Syria | UNFCCC’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/women-for-results/yalla-lets-bike
unfccc. (2014). ‘Momentum for Change: Women For Results Category “Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative’. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Yalla%20Let%27s%20Bike%20%28Come%20on%20Let%27s%20Bike%29%20Initiative.pdf
‘Defying war and catcalls, Syria’s women hop on climate-smart bikes’. (2018). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://news.trust.org/item/20181212172519-axhrs/
A, R. (2019). ‘Syria’s Women and Girls Bike to Beat Climate Change’. United Nations Sustainable Development. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/03/syrian-women-and-girls-climate-change/
A, R. (2019). ‘Syria’s Women and Girls Bike to Beat Climate Change’. United Nations Sustainable Development. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/03/syrian-women-and-girls-climate-change/
‘“Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative | Syria | UNFCCC’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/women-for-results/yalla-lets-bike
unfccc. (2014). ‘Momentum for Change: Women For Results Category “Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative’. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Yalla%20Let%27s%20Bike%20%28Come%20on%20Let%27s%20Bike%29%20Initiative.pdf
‘100 Women in Cycling 2020 | Nour Jarrouj’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.cyclinguk.org/biography/nour-jarrouj
unfccc. (2014). ‘Momentum for Change: Women For Results Category “Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative’. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Yalla%20Let%27s%20Bike%20%28Come%20on%20Let%27s%20Bike%29%20Initiative.pdf
‘100 Women in Cycling 2020 | Nour Jarrouj’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.cyclinguk.org/biography/nour-jarrouj
unfccc. (2014). ‘Momentum for Change: Women For Results Category “Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative’. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Yalla%20Let%27s%20Bike%20%28Come%20on%20Let%27s%20Bike%29%20Initiative.pdf
‘100 Women in Cycling 2020 | Nour Jarrouj’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.cyclinguk.org/biography/nour-jarrouj
A, R. (2019). ‘Syria’s Women and Girls Bike to Beat Climate Change’. United Nations Sustainable Development. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/blog/2019/03/syrian-women-and-girls-climate-change/
‘“Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative | Syria | UNFCCC’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/climate-action/momentum-for-change/women-for-results/yalla-lets-bike
‘LAB 5 – Activism vs. law: can greater awareness stop sexual harassment in the public space? – world-forum-democracy – www.coe.int’. (2018). world-forum-democracy. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.coe.int/en/web/world-forum-democracy/lab-5-freedom-vs.-control-can-greater-solidarity-stop-sexual-harassment-in-the-public-space-
‘Defying war and catcalls, Syria’s women hop on climate-smart bikes’. (2018). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://news.trust.org/item/20181212172519-axhrs/
‘100 Women in Cycling 2020 | Nour Jarrouj’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.cyclinguk.org/biography/nour-jarrouj
‘(11) Yalla let’s Bike: Overview | LinkedIn’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/company/yalla-let-s-bike/
‘Defying war and catcalls, Syria’s women hop on climate-smart bikes’. (2018). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://news.trust.org/item/20181212172519-axhrs/
‘(11) Yalla let’s Bike: Overview | LinkedIn’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/company/yalla-let-s-bike/
‘(11) Yalla let’s Bike: Overview | LinkedIn’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/company/yalla-let-s-bike/
unfccc. (2014). ‘Momentum for Change: Women For Results Category “Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative’. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Yalla%20Let%27s%20Bike%20%28Come%20on%20Let%27s%20Bike%29%20Initiative.pdf
‘100 Women in Cycling 2020 | Nour Jarrouj’. (n.d.). . Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://www.cyclinguk.org/biography/nour-jarrouj
unfccc. (2014). ‘Momentum for Change: Women For Results Category “Yalla Let’s Bike” (Come on Let’s Bike) Initiative’. Retrieved February 21, 2025, from https://unfccc.int/sites/default/files/resource/Yalla%20Let%27s%20Bike%20%28Come%20on%20Let%27s%20Bike%29%20Initiative.pdf

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