Shaalan Hamid commutes to the University of Mosul on his bicycle, a routine he has maintained since 2019. (Photo: 964media)
'Summer is the best season for cycling'
Mosul university employee cycles daily, plans long-distance journey through Iraq
MOSUL — Since 2019, Shaalan Hamid, a Mosul resident, has relied on his bicycle to commute to the University of Mosul, navigating heavy traffic while maintaining his passion for fitness.
Hamid, 32, began cycling as a student and continued the habit after securing an administrative role at the university’s College of Arts.
“Since my fourth year in the French language department, I have cycled 15 kilometers daily to and from the university,” he told 964media.
He first took up cycling as a practical solution in a city still recovering from conflict. With bridges destroyed, reaching the university once took up to two hours. Cycling cut his commute to 30 minutes.
“During rainy days, I wear rain gear like traffic officers and police,” he said. “Summer is the best season for cycling, unlike winter, which can be harsh and uncomfortable.”
His colleagues have mixed opinions on his commuting choice. “Some people accept the idea, especially since it was uncommon before, while others see it as inappropriate for a university employee,” he said.
Despite skepticism, Hamid remains committed. He has taken long-distance cycling trips to Erbil, Duhok, and Sulaymaniyah, despite the lack of dedicated bike lanes.
“The trip to Erbil takes three hours, the same for Duhok, while reaching Sulaymaniyah takes 10 continuous hours,” he said. “I cycled there alone at the end of 2022, spending two days on the road, covering five hours of cycling each day.”
His next goal is an even longer ride.
“I aspire to organize a trip to Baghdad and then to Basra,” he said.
