the Palestinian Cycling Club (PCC)

Below is an article taken from the website of the Siraj Center for Holy Land Studies based in Palestine (http://www.sirajcenter.org/cycle.htm)


The Palestinian Cyclist Club
Inspired by the Peace Cycle and Follow the Women Cycle, a group of young Palestinians in Collage age responded to Siraj center’s initiative and got together to transform their own dream into reality “Creating for the first time ever A Palestinian Cyclists group with a horizon to involve every Palestinian who likes to cycle in a National league, regardless of age or sex under the name of The Palestinian Cyclists Club PCC”.

On February 27th 2007 a meeting took place at Birzeit University it was attended by: Dima Abu Lail, Ahmad Al-Mizyed, Nariman Shahin, Liza Musallam, Sahier Musallam, Tamara Sous, Nida Awine, all Female students at Birzeit University in addition to Mohammad Mohammad, the first Palestinian to Cycle from London to Jerusalem in the company and sponsorship of the Peace Cycle London to Jerusalem 2006, Ahmad Mohammad and Mohammad Abdelhaliem. The meeting was called for and facilitated by Siraj Center represented by Nimer Awine, Michel Awad and George Rihmawi.

The participants expressed a great deal of enthusiasm to take the pioneer step and go through the challenge. I couldn’t imagine Cycling all the way from London to Jerusalem before I did it Mohamad said; forming a cycling group should not be much harder. 10 bicycles are all we need in order to start and I promise to provide the first one. Mohamad kept his promise, being one of the best employees at the bank where he works, Mohamad managed to convince his manager to donate at least one bicycle to the new group.

” I do not think my grandfather will like it if I ride my bike around the neighborhood” Nariman said. This statement has triggered a lengthy anticipated discussion about the expected social limitations. Nariman continued her talk about how fond of sports she is and how she had to give up major parts of her hobbies as a grown up young woman. She also expected the new activity to put some strain on her academic life. She concluded her speech saying none of the above is a good reason not to be a part of the new cycling group.

Dima Abu Lail from Ramallah wondered about her role and how could she become a more significant figure by adding her efforts to the group’s while the sisters Musallam, Liza and Sahier from the town of Birzeit, spoke of how beautiful of an idea it is and how much organized freedom the cycling group activities can provide for them.

Participants made many comments about the many young Palestinian men and women that will follow their lead and join the club. This will happen as soon as they see us cycling down the road in our uniforms and new bicycles. They all hoped to be able to install a bike rack in their universities and town centers.

Both Mohammads and Ahmad, said that it was easier for them to move around on a bicycle. They did not have to stop at check posts and they could carry their bikes over road blocks and continue on. They added “ our stressful day can become stress free when it ends by a long bike ride”. “ We hope to reduce the number of old motor vehicles that pollute the air we breath and become under less control created by the various Palestinian and Non Palestinian policies”.

At the end of the meeting Siraj representatives concluded that they have found ready grounds for their idea among young Palestinians. They did not have to explain reason or justify their suggestions. Young Palestinians had all the answers ready, they only needed the hand of guidance.


The group has the ambition to form -through one year action plan- a Palestinian national Cyclist league. In order for the group to get on wheels and role it needs the following:

In Kind:
• Bicycles at the value of $500 each.
• Training Bicycles
• Bicycle accessories
• Spare parts
• Maintenance tools
• Sports wear
• First aid supplies

Funding for:
• Training camp
• Twelve monthly activities to achieve the intended national league.