Four Palestinian women are breaking social and cultural norms in the deeply conservative Gaza Strip by doing something which would go unnoticed in many other places around the world: riding their bicycles.
The act represents a break with tradition in the enclave crushed by three wars since 2008 and crippled by a brutal Israeli blockade and occupation.
According to one of the riders, she hopes that the move makes a statement. The women added many people encourage and admire them.
However others are not so keen on the trend. Many insult the women in their 20s and 30s because they see the behaviour as violating Islamic decency.
"For lots of people, when a woman does anything outside, it's astonishing and surprising," said 33-year-old English teacher Amneh Suleiman.
"For them, it goes against our traditions, but nothing in our religion prevents it."
Suleiman added "those restrictions must disappear and I am trying to send this message. Women play an active role in society and have the right to freedom."
Along with friends Sara, Noor and Assalah, Suleiman regularly wheels her blue bicycle out of her home in Jabalia refugee camp.
The Gaza Strip has been run by Islamist movement Hamas since 2007, however objections to their rides appear to have more to do with traditional attitudes rather than any governmental regulations.
The devastation caused by war coupled with the effects from the blockade being in place for nearly ten years have resulted in an increasing number of women working to help support their families.
Since the beginning of the occupation, Palestinian women have played an active role in the struggle for statehood. Some hold senior political and diplomatic posts while others have taken up arms.
Although approximately 60 percent of Palestinian graduates are women (note: this figure counts both Gaza and the West Bank, which is run by the Palestinian Authority), Gazan women represent only some 21 percent of the active labor force which amounts to one of the lowest rates in the world.
Suleiman moved back to Gaza with her family in 1994 after having lived in Syria. For her, leisure can represent freedom, which is why she started cycling in December, and her three friends joined her shortly after.
"We told ourselves: 'When we were children, we loved riding bicycles. Why not do it again?'" she said.
Sara Sleibi, 24, has also defied social norms in Gaza.
When Sleibi takes her five-kilometer rides with her friends, all wearing leggings, jackets and trainers, she doesn't hesitate to stop at a store to buy water near a checkpoint run by Hamas security forces.
Sleibi claims the Hamas guards greet her with a smile.
'Who will take taxis?'
"If all the girls start bicycling in Gaza, who will take taxis?" complains Ayman, a 25-year-old taxi driver.
Not everyone reacts well to the defiant cyclists, but Sleibi, who recruited her 20-year-old sister Noor to join the cycling trips, says she doesn't let it upset her.
Suleiman said "the insults are not a problem. It only makes me sad for them.
"We put only two pictures on Facebook and we received around 40 comments -- many compliments and four insulting us," she said.
One commenter said "a great idea that shows Gazan women at their best." While another told them to "get back in the house, it will be less shameful!"
Sleibi exmplained that cycling is a good way to exercise and escape the daily hassles of work and life. It was not their intention to spark up any "social revolution."
However, following several rides, they found that "people's looks were positive" and Sleibi said they would be happy to welcome new members and grow.
