Reared up!

Reared up! Gbalahi, 2024

Bicycles Forever – The Tamale Experience” is a research project about the rich history and cultural significance of bicycles in Ghana with a special focus on Tamale.

The exhibition is part of the project "Cycling Cities: The African Experience" which aims to explore and document the evolution of bicycle commuting in various African cities. It highlights the importance of considering local contexts in developing cycling cultures and emphasises the need for scholarly research to inform policy decisions.

Cultural Values and Bicycles – be they horses or ‘iron’ horses like bicycles – hold more than economic significance. Horses and bicycles are useful.
In Northern Ghana horses symbolize chieftaincy: oral traditions tell how chiefs arrived on horses to rule over local people. They also have rich cultural meanings. Traditionally, men use bicycles to impress women by riding with their lover on the top tube of the bicycle: ‘alomo ta front’- ‘the lover in the front.’ Bicycles represent pride and freedom, allowing for exploration and adventure.

Historically, men feared the independence that bicycles could offer ‘their’ women, but today, both genders appreciate the economic benefits of women cycling for the whole family. The high cost for second-hand bicycles (600 GHS or 50 Euro) often restricts direct ownership by women. Instead, shared family use is now common.