Hundreds of bikers from Bahrain and the region aim to motivate men to get checked and care for their physical and mental health, as part of an annual Movember ride being held this Friday.
The Bahrain Biker group organises a ride every year to raise awareness about prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental illness and suicide prevention, which is at the core of the global movement known as ‘Movember’.
“Being a biker group doesn’t mean we are only riding motorbikes for fun or as a hobby,” said Mahdi Hasan, the 45-year-old head road captain of the Bahrain Bikers group.
“We are a part of this community and like to participate in social activities and charity work as well as raise awareness about important issues.
“In October, we celebrated women’s health and the women in our groups with a breast cancer awareness ride, and in November, we ride to support men’s health.
“The ride mainly draws attention to prostate cancer as the disease is increasing annually and we want to urge men to get checked - whether they have symptoms or not.
“It’s important to get tested and we hope our ride around Bahrain attracts a lot of attention to encourage them to do so.”
A seminal study conducted by Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Bahrain in 2021 concluded that Bahrain has one of the highest rates of prostate cancer per capita in the Middle East when compared with neighbouring countries.
The Bahrain Bikers have invited several groups from the kingdom and across the region to take part and they expect 500 to 600 motorcyclists revving their engines this weekend.
Bikers will gather at 6.30am at Moda Mall Bahrain, where different hospitals will provide early general health screenings as well as hand out vouchers for prostate cancer check-ups. The bikers will then set out on a 60km ride to a mall in Diyar Al Muharraq.
The ride is open to all and even those without bikes can cruise along in their cars.
For details, contact Bahrain Biker’s chairman Ali Al Ansari on 36211214.
