The pandemic has prompted more Tunisians to hop on their bikes. Cycling took off in Tunisia after a 7pm curfew for cars was introduced as part of measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Velorution Tunisie organises bike trips for residents and tourists, runs a weekly bike school. It also holds monthly protest rides to demand officials improve urban cycling infrastructure, including bike lanes and racks. Usually during the holy month of Ramadan, when Tunisians break their fast every evening, the streets of Tunis fill with cars and taxis as people go out to catch up with family and friends. But this year, nights in the capital stayed unusually quiet due to a 7pm curfew for cars as part of measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Working around the new rules, Saif Touati got on his bike to meet friends for a coffee after dinner. "I used to use the bike a lot, but stopped cycling because it was faster to drive," said the 28-year-old DJ, adding that he got back into cycling during the country’s first lockdown from March to June last year, when his work abruptly dried up. He and five friends started going for long […]
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