Why do India’s women riders hide their hair inside their helmets?

Indian women cyclists are increasingly covering their hair inside their helmets to blend in and avoid harassment while riding. Male bikers rarely face such discrimination, but recently in Gurugram and Raipur, two women cyclists were chased and threatened by men on the roads. This has exposed the extra layer of safety precautions women cyclists have to take.

Abida Rana, a 22-year-old IELTS trainer, faced a male ego confrontation on the road when a driver blocked her path to make her dismount. Abida reported the incident, but the police were not helpful. Tanisha Arora, a castrol brand ambassador and influencer, admitted that women often accept harassment as normal and have contingency plans to protect themselves. She advised women not to escalate situations and to seek help from bystanders if confronted.