In 2015-2016 human rights journalist Rebecca Lowe went on a solo cycle tour. She travelled 10,000 km across Europe and the Middle East.
‘People are very similar to us in the West’
Rebecca explains: “I think a lot of stereotypes that people have about the Middle East come from fundamental misconceptions about the region.
Part of the problem is that people tend to identify some countries in the Middle East by their political leadership.”
However Rebecca stresses that “communities and governments are very different from one another.”
For example whilst Iran has a tyrannical regime, most Iranians are very anti-government.
She also claims: “When you take the politics out of it you realise that these people are very similar to us in the West. And they are very hospitable and incredibly welcoming”.
‘You must not trust what you read in the media’
As a journalist, Rebecca admits: “I learnt that you must not trust what you read in the media. The media will always focus on the worst. And it’s not that it’s inaccurate necessarily.”
She highlights that media coverage is generally quite blinkered and focused on negative things like crisis and politics.
Then she explains that she witnessed everyday day life by travelling through the countries by bike.
“You go out to these countries and realise that what you’ve heard in the media is just a tiny tiny speck of reality.
And all of this goodness and this community spirit that you never hear anything about because it’s dull and normal and everyday life.”
Rebecca’s cycling helmet
‘No power imbalance’ with a bike
Rebecca is a strong advocate of the bicycle as a means of transport. She says when you’re cycling down on the ground you get “an incredible worms-eye view of communities that you’re passing through”.
She praises the bike’s ability to get rid of “that disconnect” between locals and tourists. On a bike she says there is “no power imbalance”.
Notably local people “see you are grubby” and want to look after you. So they take you in and feed you. In contrast as a tourist “you swoop in and you swoop out”.
Rebecca Lowe – The Bicycle Diaries
‘Being a woman was helpful’
Rebecca began cycling from London and went via France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Turkey and Lebanon to reach Egypt, Sudan, Oman, the UAE and Iran. Many people admire her bravery to cycle alone through some of these countries as a woman.
Rebecca wanted to prove that as a woman you can cycle safely through the area. She is very vocal about the hospitality she received from families in the Middle East.
She says: “Being a woman in these places was actually helpful. It is unusual to see women alone on a bike, you’re more conspicuous, so people want to help you.”
Rebecca claims she felt safe most of the time as there is a low crime rate in many countries in the Middle East.
Interestingly, she went into Turkey with feelings of trepidation, but almost immediately felt welcomed.
She recalls how a man got out of his lorry to give her a satsuma and says: “this was just the beginning of a series of wonderful gestures”.
‘Just do it’
Rebecca says that her advice to anyone else who wants to do this is “just to do it.”
She says: “I think you can tie yourself up in knots thinking am I prepared enough? Throw yourself in the deep end. If you really want to do it you’ll be able to. It’s not that hard to ride a bike. Anyone can ride a bike. You get on and you pedal.”
Above all, she wants more women to embark on similar challenges. She stresses: “We need more women going out there doing solo travel trips, solo bike rides. We need to show the world that it’s okay and normalise it.”
Rebecca Lowe will release a book on her travels next year.
Iran, Rebecca Lowe The Bicycle Diaries
You can listen to the full interview on the City London Radio PM show from 1pm.
Submitted Article
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Standfirst
Published Article
HeadlineCycling the Middle East as a woman
Short HeadlineThe Middle East by bike
StandfirstRebecca Lowe sheds light on a region long misunderstood in the West
In 2015-2016 human rights journalist Rebecca Lowe went on a solo cycle tour. She travelled 10,000 km across Europe and the Middle East.
‘People are very similar to us in the West’
Rebecca explains: “I think a lot of stereotypes that people have about the Middle East come from fundamental misconceptions about the region.
Part of the problem is that people tend to identify some countries in the Middle East by their political leadership.”
However Rebecca stresses that “communities and governments are very different from one another.”
For example whilst Iran has a tyrannical regime, most Iranians are very anti-government.
She also claims: “When you take the politics out of it you realise that these people are very similar to us in the West. And they are very hospitable and incredibly welcoming”.
‘You must not trust what you read in the media’
As a journalist, Rebecca admits: “I learnt that you must not trust what you read in the media. The media will always focus on the worst. And it’s not that it’s inaccurate necessarily.”
She highlights that media coverage is generally quite blinkered and focused on negative things like crisis and politics.
Then she explains that she witnessed everyday day life by travelling through the countries by bike.
“You go out to these countries and realise that what you’ve heard in the media is just a tiny tiny speck of reality.
And all of this goodness and this community spirit that you never hear anything about because it’s dull and normal and everyday life.”
Rebecca’s cycling helmet
‘No power imbalance’ with a bike
Rebecca is a strong advocate of the bicycle as a means of transport. She says when you’re cycling down on the ground you get “an incredible worms-eye view of communities that you’re passing through”.
She praises the bike’s ability to get rid of “that disconnect” between locals and tourists. On a bike she says there is “no power imbalance”.
Notably local people “see you are grubby” and want to look after you. So they take you in and feed you. In contrast as a tourist “you swoop in and you swoop out”.
Rebecca Lowe – The Bicycle Diaries
‘Being a woman was helpful’
Rebecca began cycling from London and went via France, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro, Albania, Serbia, Kosovo, Bulgaria, Turkey and Lebanon to reach Egypt, Sudan, Oman, the UAE and Iran. Many people admire her bravery to cycle alone through some of these countries as a woman.
Rebecca wanted to prove that as a woman you can cycle safely through the area. She is very vocal about the hospitality she received from families in the Middle East.
She says: “Being a woman in these places was actually helpful. It is unusual to see women alone on a bike, you’re more conspicuous, so people want to help you.”
Rebecca claims she felt safe most of the time as there is a low crime rate in many countries in the Middle East.
Interestingly, she went into Turkey with feelings of trepidation, but almost immediately felt welcomed.
She recalls how a man got out of his lorry to give her a satsuma and says: “this was just the beginning of a series of wonderful gestures”.
‘Just do it’
Rebecca says that her advice to anyone else who wants to do this is “just to do it.”
She says: “I think you can tie yourself up in knots thinking am I prepared enough? Throw yourself in the deep end. If you really want to do it you’ll be able to. It’s not that hard to ride a bike. Anyone can ride a bike. You get on and you pedal.”
Above all, she wants more women to embark on similar challenges. She stresses: “We need more women going out there doing solo travel trips, solo bike rides. We need to show the world that it’s okay and normalise it.”
Rebecca Lowe will release a book on her travels next year.
Iran, Rebecca Lowe The Bicycle Diaries
You can listen to the full interview on the City London Radio PM show from 1pm.
