Her Own Keys, Her Own Time
For years, getting to college, work or the doctor meant one thing for most women in Pakistan: waiting. Waiting for a brother or father to be free, waiting for a van, or paying for a rickshaw every single day. In 2026, a growing number of women are choosing a different answer. They are riding their own scooties and bikes.
An APP report published by The Express Tribune on 4 October 2026 described how more women in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are now riding scooters and motorcycles to school, work and errands, saying it gives them control over their time and their daily routine. Similar stories are coming from Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad and smaller cities. This is not a trend on social media anymore. It is happening on everyday roads.
The Numbers Behind the Change
According to Punjab Traffic Police figures reported in January 2026, more than 248,000 women used driving licence services in Punjab during 2025, a 42% rise in issuance. Around 61,000 of them got motorcycle licences. A few years ago, a woman at a licence centre for a bike test was a rare sight. Now there are special arrangements just for women.
| Licence Type (Punjab, 2025) | Issued to Women |
|---|---|
| Car | 183,000+ |
| Motorcycle | 61,000 |
| Commercial | 2,000+ |
| Light Transport Vehicle (LTV) | 1,833 |
| Rickshaw | 240 |
| Renewals | 77,000+ |
Source: Punjab Traffic Police figures reported by Daily Pakistan, January 2026.
What Is Making It Easier for Women to Ride
1. Free riding training
Under the Punjab government's Women on Wheels programme, Lahore Traffic Police run free car and scooty training for women. In June 2026 a new women's driving school opened at Liberty Market, bringing the total in Lahore to 12 driving schools for women, and more than 7,000 women have been trained so far. Lessons cover practical riding plus basic electrical and mechanical knowledge.
2. Licences at your doorstep
Punjab now sends Pink Vans to deliver licence services closer to women's homes, and there are dedicated women's licence facilities such as the Aabshar centre in Lahore and a Women Enclave Centre in Gujranwala. Many licence services can also be started online.
3. Pink e-scooters and e-bike schemes
The Sindh government distributed 300 free pink electric scooters to women on International Women's Day, followed by more in cities like Hyderabad and Sukkur, and announced in May 2026 that it would buy 1,000 more. In Punjab, women applicants have a reserved quota under the CM Punjab e-bike scheme. Read our full guide to the CM Punjab e-bike scheme for eligibility, instalments and how to apply on the official portal.
4. Electric scooties that are easy to ride
Electric scooties have no gears, no kick start and no clutch, they are light, and they are cheap to charge. For a first-time rider, that removes most of the fear. Compare models and official prices on our new electric bikes page, and read electric bikes in Pakistan: prices, range and is it worth it before you decide.
Pehle har kaam ke liye kisi ka intezar, ab apni marzi. For many women, that is the real change a bike brings: not speed, but freedom over their own time.
The Women Who Showed It Was Possible
Long before the schemes and pink scooters, a few riders proved that Pakistani women belong on the road. The best known is Zenith Irfan, the Lahore rider whose solo journeys across Pakistan, including to the northern areas, inspired the 2018 film Motorcycle Girl. Her story told a whole generation of young women that the open road is not only for men.
Today the inspiration is closer to home: the teacher who rides to her school in Faisalabad, the nurse on a night shift in Karachi, the university student in Peshawar who no longer misses her first class because the van was late. Every one of them makes the next woman a little more confident to try.
The Challenges Are Still Real
It would be dishonest to say every ride is easy. Women riders interviewed in the October 2026 report described being stared at, followed, honked at and overtaken aggressively. One rider said she changed her daily route after feeling followed.
Police say things are improving, with more women personnel, more patrols and Safe City cameras in cities like Islamabad and Rawalpindi. If you ever feel unsafe on the road:
- Call 15 for police emergency
- Call 1815, the helpline mentioned by police for women facing harassment or feeling unsafe
- Ride to a busy, well-lit place such as a petrol pump or market before stopping
- Note the number plate of the vehicle following you if you can do it safely
Safety first: tuck in loose fabric
A dupatta, chadar or long abaya can get caught in the rear wheel or chain and pull you off the bike in a second. Tie the dupatta firmly or tuck it into your jacket, keep the hem of long clothes away from the wheel, and make sure your bike has a proper chain cover and saree guard on the rear wheel.
Thinking About Riding? A Starter Guide
Choose the right first bike
| Option | Good For | Things to Know |
|---|---|---|
| Electric scooty | City trips, college, work under 40 to 60 km a day | No gears, very easy to learn, needs daily charging |
| Petrol scooter | Longer daily distances, no charging worries | Automatic, a bit heavier, fewer models in Pakistan |
| 70cc bike (CD 70 and similar) | Low running cost, parts available everywhere | Has gears, takes a little longer to learn |
Get your licence the right way
- Apply for a learner permit (online or at a licence centre).
- Practise with a family member or join free Women on Wheels style training if it is available in your city.
- Take the motorcycle driving test once the learner period is complete.
- Check if your city has a women-only licence desk or Pink Van service to save time.
Gear that actually matters
- A proper helmet, worn and strapped every single ride
- Gloves to protect your hands in a fall and from sun and dust
- A light jacket or reflective strip for evening rides
- Closed shoes, not slippers
- A phone mount and power bank so you are never stuck without your phone
Buying used? Check it properly
A used scooty or 70cc can be a smart first buy. Take a family member along, check the documents carefully, and go through our free 30 point bike inspection checklist on your phone at the seller's place. You can browse used bikes for sale across Pakistan on Byke Lelo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can women get a motorcycle licence in Pakistan?
Yes. Women apply for a learner permit and take the same motorcycle test as men. In Punjab, around 61,000 women got a motorcycle licence in 2025, and there are women-only desks, centres and Pink Van services in several cities.
Is there free riding training for women?
Yes, in some cities. Lahore Traffic Police offer free scooty and car training for women under the Women on Wheels programme, with 12 women's driving schools in the city as of mid 2026.
What is the best first bike for a woman in Pakistan?
For short city trips, an electric scooty is the easiest to learn because it has no gears or clutch. For longer daily distances, a petrol scooter or a 70cc bike may be more practical.
Are there government schemes for women riders?
Sindh has distributed free pink electric scooters to women and plans to buy more, and the CM Punjab e-bike scheme reserves a quota for female applicants. Always apply through official government portals and never pay agents.
What should I do if I feel unsafe while riding?
Ride to a busy, well-lit place, call 15 for police, or use 1815, the helpline police mention for women facing harassment. Share your live location with family on longer rides.
The Road Is Yours Too
Every woman who learns to ride makes the road a little more normal for the next one. If you have been thinking about it, start small: one training session, one learner permit, one short ride around your area. Jab Byke Chahye, Sirf Byke Lelo, and that goes for everyone.
Already riding? We would love to hear your story. Read your first bike is never just a bike, then share your own experience with the Byke Lelo community.
Figures are based on government statements and news reports up to October 2026, including The Express Tribune (APP), Daily Pakistan, ProPakistani and The News. Scheme rules can change, so always check official portals.
