The bicycle was an integral part of Waad Yousif’s everyday life when he lived in a small village in Northern Iraq. Each morning Waad would pack his bicycle with large bags of clothing that he transported to markets and other villages to make a living. He was very careful to ensure the bicycle was balanced and the clothing didn’t get damaged. Sometimes he would even prop his son, Andraws, on the handlebars to take him to school before he headed out to work.

Cycling was a practical and very common way to get around as petrol was very scarce due to the conflicts in the region. 

But all this changed when he and his family had to flee urgently due to religious persecution. He abandoned his bicycle, and everything else the family owned, to save their lives.

Waad and his family arrived in Australia in June 2019. They initially settled in Warrawong, near the cycle track, where they had a house with a garden. When they got to their house in Warrawong, one of the first things his son asked for was a bicycle, and he had to get it from Big W. 

Waad and his son chose the bike and began to pay for it in instalments. The staff at Big W realised how excited Waad’s son was to get the bike, and how timely Waad’s payments were, that they generously relaxed the rules and released the bicycle to the family before the final payment. Waad was surprised by their generosity, and it proved to be a source of confusion when Waad made the final payment. At settlement, the person who processed the final payment didn’t realise the bike had been provided to Waad and proceeded to get a bike from storage to give to him. Waad insisted that they had already received the bike and even brought it in to show them. Waad’s son is always so excited to get home from school to ride his bike. 

The family has since moved to Wollongong where they have explored cycling through Wollongong up and around the lighthouse and out to Towradgi.  Waad and his son ride their bikes for recreation and fitness. Waad says it helps him with his stress and he particularly likes riding on trails near parks and trees.

Waad’s wife and daughters had no opportunity to learn to ride bicycles in Iraq. It was discouraged and very unusual for girls to ride. However, Waad’s wife has embraced new challenges and has started to learn to ride through the SCARF and Healthy Cities Health Connections program. She has ridden a tricycle and is keen to learn to ride a bicycle. Waad also encourages his daughters to ride. He is keen for them to ride for their health, but he also believes riding a bike will help them when they start to learn to drive.

Waad is so happy to ride for recreation and enjoyment and believes Wollongong has wonderful places to ride. He is so impressed with the safety precautions Australia has, in particular the need to wear a helmet. 

The next adventure that he and his son are keen to try is mountain biking and the Cringila Hills park looks very enticing!