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Ban on Female Cyclists Reintroduced
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 http://www.dailynk.com/english/read.php?cataId=nk01500&num=10231 [1228] |
Females
have been banned again from riding on bicycles, a source based in
North Hamkyung province has told the Daily NK on the 14th.
The original ban was reported introduced due to the death of a high
ranking official's daughter while cycling. The reintroduction of the
ban overturns last year's decision to abolish the ban.
The
reintroduction of the ban is being enforced as public security agents
are patrolling for violators. Not only has the ban stopped females
from riding bicycles, but it has prohibited them from riding on the
backs of bicycles.
Previously,
females in violation of the law were fined up to 5,000 won. The
source told the Daily NK that this has changed. Those violating the law
now have their bicycles confiscated. Understandably, this punishment
has not gone down well with citizens.
Bicycles
are an important means of transportation in North Korea. The
ownership of cars is largely restricted to the wealthy. It is
expected that the ban will have an impact on markets where
transportation of goods on bikes is so common.
The
Daily NK source said that, "women can not only go to and from
the markets on them, they can also give their children lifts and
carry as much as 50 or 60kg." The bikes were also used to carry
daily catches of squid inland.
Source:
Daily NK
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