IN PHOTOS: How female bikers deal with roadside `chapris`

Updated On: 14 March, 2024 02:49 PM IST | Ainie Rizvi

With the recent incident of a Spanish biker getting raped in Jharkhand, the plight of female bikers has come to light. Midday.com spoke to three female bikers who share how they give it back to roadside hoodlums or `chapris` as we know them, who have long been a cause of nuisance 

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With the recent incident of a Spanish biker getting raped in Jharkhand, the plight of female bikers has come to light. Midday.com spoke to three female bikers who share how they give it back to roadside hoodlums or `chapris` as we know them, who have long been a cause of nuisance 

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Sarita Ashutosh, a biker from Thane recounts an episode when two men hurled comments and began hooting when they spotted her on a bike. “Once, these two bikers were riding alongside me, persistently calling out and passing derogatory remarks. Despite moderate traffic, their behaviour was dangerous as they came too close to me risking my balance” 

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However, Sarita`s helmet has two Harley Quinn-style ponytails which is her trademark. She continues, "It serves as a symbol, making it clear even from a distance that it`s a female rider. Seeing this, some men retreat while others come parallel to me, giving me a thumbs up." Learn more about her biking adventures here

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Captain Sonia Chawla from Juhu who rides a Harley-Davidson Street 750, shares a different reality. Back in the day, when she started riding, no women were to be seen on the roads riding a bike. “There was just one or two of us on the streets. So, it was very challenging at that time"

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She continues, “I`m talking about the 80s, 90s. Yes, there was a whole lot of catcalling, a lot of eyeballs and a lot of interest that came my way, but I used to ride so fast, that I would zoom past these hoodlums in a jiffy." Learn more about her biking adventures here. [Captain Chawla on the left]

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Niyati Suvarna from Andheri affirms that it`s the ‘chapris’ who make it tough for her while riding in Mumbai. “They tend to come closer when they know that it`s a girl riding a heavy bike. They might come alongside you, try to collar you off, or just give you a death stare"

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While some people are genuinely excited and they try to come close to you in their cars to get a picture, shares Niyati. Although, this has resulted in a couple of bad falls for her. Fortunately, there haven`t been any major injuries, but now she rides with her pack to chase away the hoodlums. Learn more about her biking adventures here

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Home / Lifestyle / Culture / Photos / IN PHOTOS: How female bikers deal with roadside `chapris`

IN PHOTOS: How female bikers deal with roadside `chapris`

With the recent incident of a Spanish biker getting raped in Jharkhand, the plight of female bikers has come to light. Midday.com spoke to three female bikers who share how they give it back to roadside hoodlums or `chapris` as we know them, who have long been a cause of nuisance&nbsp;

Captain Sonia Chawla from Juhu who rides a Harley-Davidson Street 750, shares a different reality. Back in the day, when she started riding, no women were to be seen on the roads riding a bike. &ldquo;There was just one or two of us on the streets. So, it was very challenging at that time"

Niyati Suvarna from Andheri affirms that it`s the &lsquo;chapris&rsquo; who make it tough for her while riding in Mumbai. &ldquo;They tend to come closer when they know that it`s a girl riding a heavy bike. They might come alongside you, try to collar you off, or just give you a death stare"

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Photo of Day

High tidal waves in Mumbai delay Lalbaugcha Raja`s visarjan

With the recent incident of a Spanish biker getting raped in Jharkhand, the plight of female bikers has come to light. Midday.com spoke to three female bikers who share how they give it back to roadside hoodlums or `chapris` as we know them, who have long been a cause of nuisance

Captain Sonia Chawla from Juhu who rides a Harley-Davidson Street 750, shares a different reality. Back in the day, when she started riding, no women were to be seen on the roads riding a bike. “There was just one or two of us on the streets. So, it was very challenging at that time"

Niyati Suvarna from Andheri affirms that it`s the ‘chapris’ who make it tough for her while riding in Mumbai. “They tend to come closer when they know that it`s a girl riding a heavy bike. They might come alongside you, try to collar you off, or just give you a death stare"