Women Riding Motorbikes in Tehran Signal Shifting Societal Norms

In a visible sign of societal change, women are increasingly riding motorbikes and scooters through Tehran, challenging long-standing cultural norms and conservative restrictions. Traditionally, some clerics and hard-liners in Iran viewed women riding motorcycles as "tabarruj" — a flaunting of beauty considered prohibited under strict interpretations of Islam.

Merat Behnam, 38, recently began commuting on her yellow scooter to her downtown café. While traffic and city congestion were initial concerns, Behnam said the disapproving looks and potential verbal abuse were more daunting. Despite this, she has found broad acceptance among Tehran’s residents.

“It was a big deal for me,” Behnam said. “At first, I was quite stressed, but gradually the way people reacted encouraged me a lot.”

Legal and Cultural Barriers
Until recently, Iranian traffic laws specifically restricted motorcycle licenses to men, reflecting a gender-specific interpretation of the Farsi language. Despite women being able to hold car licenses and pursue careers since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, motorbike riding remained taboo.

Conservative clerics argue that women riding motorcycles cannot maintain modest attire, as both hands are occupied and exposure to wind is inevitable. Lawmakers like Mohammad Seraj emphasize the importance of “proper covering” for women on motorcycles.

A Growing Trend
Tehran’s streets, crowded with over 4 million cars and an equal number of motorcycles, have made two-wheeled travel a practical necessity. Since the mass protests of 2022 and a growing trend of women forgoing the hijab, more Iranian women are defying tradition and taking to motorbikes to navigate heavy traffic efficiently and avoid high congestion charges.

While still a minority, women riders now regularly appear in the city, reflecting both independence and a subtle social shift. Reformist voices have advocated for revising licensing regulations to officially allow women to ride motorcycles, viewing the practice as a symbol of choice, independence, and equal participation in urban life.

Changing Perceptions
For Behnam, riding her scooter has also been a positive interaction with authorities. Traffic officers have offered technical guidance rather than punitive measures, signaling a potential softening of enforcement attitudes toward women riders.

“There is no political manifesto here,” Behnam explained. “It’s simply about commuting efficiently. But it also represents a broader message of choice and independence for women in Iran.”

This emerging trend of women riding motorbikes highlights the evolving balance between tradition and modernity in Tehran, reflecting a society gradually redefining women’s roles in public spaces