u/Prior-Distance-5661

Muslim girls/women who have learned to ride a motorbike through a driving school, I genuinely need some advice.

I’m on only my second day of bike lessons and I have no previous experience riding. On the first day, an older instructor taught me by holding/supporting the bike from the side and guiding me around.

Today, I had a different instructor. He asked if it was okay for him to sit behind me on the bike while I practised. I hesitated because I felt a little uncomfortable, but since I’ve never learned before, I honestly didn’t know if this was a normal part of motorcycle training or if I had another option, so I agreed.

Nothing obviously inappropriate happened, but because he was sitting behind me, there was naturally some physical contact while teaching and balancing, and I did feel uncomfortable with it.

My question is: Is it normal practice in Sri Lankan driving schools for a male instructor to sit behind a female student on the bike while teaching? Or can I ask them to teach me another way, such as holding the bike from the side, following me on another bike, or giving instructions from the ground?

Please don’t judge me for not knowing what to do in the moment. I genuinely didn’t know whether this was standard practice, and I’m trying to understand what is normal so I can set my boundaries properly going forward.

I’d especially appreciate hearing from Muslim women who have taken bike lessons in Sri Lanka. 🤍