51% Pakistani Men Support Women Riding Bikes or Scooties, Survey Finds  

Support rises to 65% among men with FA-level education or above and 60% in urban areas, while empowerment is the leading reason for backing the practice.

October 2, 2026 at 11:46 PM
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ISLAMABAD: A majority of Pakistani men support women in their households riding bikes or scooties, with 51% backing the practice compared with 33% who oppose it.

The survey found that 30% completely support women riding bikes or scooties, while another 21% somewhat support the practice. In contrast, 22% completely oppose it and 11% somewhat oppose it, while 13% neither support nor oppose and 3% did not respond.

According to a new Gallup & Gilani Pakistan survey, support was particularly high among men with FA-level education or above, reaching 65%, while 60% of urban men supported women riding bikes or scooties.

The survey asked adult Pakistani men whether they would support or oppose women in their households riding bikes or scooties. The findings indicate that support was higher than opposition across the country.

Empowerment emerges as top reason for support

Among men who supported women riding bikes or scooties, 58% cited women’s empowerment as the main reason for their support.

Another 30% said it saves time, while 24% said it reduces transportation responsibilities. About 21% viewed riding bikes or scooties as a need of the modern age, while 12% considered it safer than public transport.

Among those opposing the practice, 51% cited honour or family concerns, while 46% referred to religious or cultural thinking. Safety concerns were mentioned by 19%, while 17% cited fear of criticism from others.

A further 11% cited fear of harassment and another 11% mentioned traffic risks as reasons for their opposition.

Read Also: 22,000 Females to Get Scooties at Discounted Price Under ‘Women on Wheels’ Initiative

The survey was conducted by Gallup & Gilani Pakistan among a nationally representative sample of adult Pakistani men across the country.

The findings show that views on women riding bikes or scooties remain divided, but overall support exceeds opposition, with education and urban residence associated with higher levels of support.

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